Cruise pair launch wave of action

A SHAW couple are among 25 passengers to launch a High Court action after contracting gastroenteritis on a cruise liner.

The claim says the passengers fell ill while travelling from Southampton on various cruises on the Independence of the Seas ship between December 2010, and June 2011.

Despite multiple cases of gastroenteritis on previous cruises, the group claims the cruise line failed to adopt adequate cleaning measures, or greater control over food preparation.

Medical staff were often unavailable and unable to make speedy cabin visits to sick patients. The Shaw couple had to wait two hours for a visit. They also claim to have seen a waiter wipe his nose on his sleeve - and sneeze into a napkin he then placed on a table.

The passengers are claiming total damages of up to £500,000 against Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises RCL Cruises Ltd.

The firm said the 25 guests were across five different sailings over seven months - during which over 67,000 guests had travelled on the ship.

A spokeswoman said: “Those affected responded well to over-the-counter medication administered on board, and therefore weren’t referred for additional treatment by the on-board teams.”


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