Three couples appoint lawyers after allegedly falling ill on Thomson Dream

Three couples who were passengers onboard the Thomson Dream have instructed lawyers to investigate separate illnesses they suffered during cruises earlier this year.

A woman from West Yorkshire claims she was diagnosed with suspected bacterial pneumonia when she returned to the UK, while her husband also suffered a chest infection and is undergoing further investigations due to ongoing symptoms.

They told solicitors at law firm Irwin Mitchell they suffered with dizziness, confusion, a cough, loss of appetite, shortness of breath and general lethargy as well as gastric symptoms while on their two-week cruise starting from Montego Bay, Jamaica.

They claim  their cabin smelt damp and they discovered the carpet in their room was damp and began to smell of sewage and despite complaining to staff on board the ship and since their return, they have yet to receive any answers.

A second couple, from Ferryhill, County Durham, have also instructed Irwin Mitchel after becoming ill on their Caribbean cruise.

Joseph Pennington claimed he suffered gastric symptoms while his wife Linda developed a chest infection and needed to be placed on an IV drip on several occasions throughout the cruise.

Mr Pennington claimed food on the ship was often served lukewarm and on one occasion he spotted staff taking bread rolls from one guest’s table and reusing them on another.

A third couple, from Birmingham, also suffered respiratory illnesses during a Caribbean cruise onboard the Thomson Dream in February.

Irwin Mitchell said it had previously represented holidaymakers who suffered similar problems on the Thomson Dream in both 2010 and 2012. In 2010, more than 200 people came forward to complain of illness on board the cruise ship and Irwin Mitchell successfully settled their claims for a six-figure sum.

Jayne Murphy of Irwin Mitchell, said: "This is the third time we have been asked to investigate illness on board the Thomson Dream in recent years. It is extremely worrying that we have been contacted by three couples who spent time on the ship at different times in the early part of this year

"Understandably, all of them are very upset and angry that their cruises, which were supposed to be enjoyable and luxurious breaks, were ruined when they all fell ill.

"The concerns each of these people have shared with us are very worrying and it is concerning that they also saw others suffering with the same illnesses during their time on board the ship. Illnesses can spread very quickly on cruise ships if the correct precautions are not taken and we would like to hear from anyone else who travelled on board the Thomson Dream earlier this year how may be able to help with our enquiries."

A spokesman for Thomson said: "As this matter is the subject of legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment at this time."