Thomson threatened with legal action over cruise outbreak

Thomson has been threatened with legal action by lawyers representing passengers taken seriously ill on board a Thomson cruise in May.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell is representing 17 passengers who were on board the Thomson Spirit liner on a two-week Iberian Delights cruise, which sailed from North Tyneside on May 2.

It says reports from passengers suggest hundreds were struck down by the outbreak.

“We have invited Thomson to admit liability and hope that they will do so quickly and work with us to fairly compensate our clients,” said Suki Chhokar, partner at Irwin Mitchell.

“If not, legal proceedings are likely to be commenced, something which we and our clients would like to avoid if possible.”

He urged Thomson to ensure lessons were learned from the outbreak to stop future travellers suffering a similar fate.

“What happened on this cruise is simply appalling. We are very concerned about the reports of widespread illness and hygiene complaints on board. It certainly sounds like more could and should have been done to reduce the risk of passengers becoming ill.”

According to the law firm, passengers were ‘dropping like flies’ as gastric illness swept through the liner.

It said Madeline Nolan, 51, from Wallsend in North Tyneside, ended up vomiting blood after being struck down by severe stomach cramps, sickness and diarrhoea which left her unable to leave her room for three days as her holiday with husband Tom, 58, descended into disaster.

“Hundreds of people were affected – the medical centre was inundated with people queuing for medical supplies and a large number of people were also confined to their cabins. It was absolutely horrendous,” she said.

“There was certainly a breakdown in hygiene standards. The ship in general was not clean, hot food at the buffet was cold, there were flies all over the food, toilets were not cleaned – the list was endless.”

Lesley Jackson, from Durham, said her holiday had also been ruined as she and her family were struck down by sickness.

“People were dropping like flies. As the cruise went on, you could see trays of uneaten food building up in the corridors outside people’s cabins,” the 38-year-old mother-of-one said.

“The buffet was self-service initially, but after it became apparent that people were falling ill, the food was served by members of staff for the rest of the cruise. Hand sanitizers were available for passengers to use but they weren’t manned at first, but once people started to fall ill, their use was enforced.

“I simply don’t think enough was done to protect the health of the passengers aboard the ship – and by the time the illness had spread it was too late. What was meant to be a relaxing cruise turned into an absolute nightmare.”

Angry travellers have bombarded internet message boards with complaints about the cruise.

By Bev Fearis