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Cruise cancelled after virus outbreak
The cruise ship Van Gogh, on charter to Travelscope, was detained in Harwich after a virus outbreak on board.
Around 70 of the 750 passengers and crew on the cruise to the Norwegian Fjords were affected by the gastrointestinal virus.
Travelscope said all those affected were treated on board and two passengers were taken to hospital on the ship’s return to the UK. They were allowed to go home the same day.
On its return to port the ship was inspected in Harwich by the local port health authority and the Maritime Coastguard Agency ordered that the six night-cruise to Norway, due to depart on Sunday May 28, was cancelled.
Passengers due to embark were provided with overnight hotel accommodation or a coach home if they lived nearby.
Full refunds are being issued immediately to all passengers.
A Travelscope statement said: “The gastrointestinal virus is extremely common but highly contagious, and affects people over a 24-36 hour period and is can be easily spread by direct person to person contact.
“The ship has now been deep-cleaned and the crew, who have remained on board, are being monitored for signs of infection. If there is no further infection, it is expected the ship will be given the all clear during the next 24 hours and the Van Gogh will resume its cruising programme with the next scheduled departure on June 3.
“Travelscope deeply regrets that some passengers were affected by this virus and that it became necessary to disappoint customers by canceling the subsequent cruise However, the health and well being of our clients must be the paramount concern.”
Travelscope has set up a special telephone hotline for agents on 0870 402 0227.
They can also log onto www.travelscope.co.uk and click on ‘News’.
Report by Phil Davies
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