United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Virus-hit Sea Princess docks in Freemantle
Having finally completed its 26-day Asian cruise, passengers aboard the Sea Princess have been speaking about conditions after around 100 people were laid low by a gastro-intestinal virus outbreak.
The cruise ship finally docked at Fremantle at the weekend with around 2,000 people aboard.
The outbreak on the ship led one passenger to dub it "the cruise from hell".
Another passenger, Jim Edwards, 56, was struck down a week into the cruise and described it as the worst bout of gastroenteritis he had ever had.
"I couldn’t believe how strong it was, I’m only in my 50s but it took everything out of me and I was worried about the older people as it was knocking them down like flies," he said.
Edwards said all suspected virus cases were asked to stay confined to their cabins and those with more serious symptoms were taken to the ship’s hospital.
Some passengers complained that when boarding at Singapore they were not told of the outbreak, and also believed the number of sickened passengers was much higher than Princess Cruises’ official estimate of 100 people.
A Princess Cruises spokesman said once it discovered the outbreak, more rigorous sanitation methods were implemented.
"The number of new cases quickly fell indicating the problem had been contained," he said.
In addition, bad weather and engine failure added to the problems during the cruise which meant two port calls had to be scrapped.
Related News Stories:
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Protestors now targeting Amsterdam cruise calls
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship