Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
04 October 2013 08:45
A cruise ship has returned to Belfast after passengers were affected by a 'gastroenteritis-type illness'
A cruise ship which was hit by an outbreak of a "gastroenteritis-type illness" has returned to Belfast.
A number of passengers on board The Boudicca were taken ill with symptoms including vomiting or diarrhoea, a temperature, headache and stomach cramps.
Cruise operator Fred Olsen said around 72 passengers had been affected by the virus, out of just over 760 on board.
The ship had left Northern Ireland on September 23 for a 10-night Scandinavian cities cruise. Following its return to Belfast, a sanitisation and cleaning programme is now due to be carried out on the ship.
Fred Olsen said it had been in touch with guests who have booked tickets for The Boudicca's next scheduled cruise, a 12-night trip to Madeira and the Canaries, to tell them what happened. The incident also serves as a timely reminder that passengers should always make sure they take out cruise travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances.
In a statement, Fred Olsen said "every precaution" had been taken to ensure the swift containment of the virus and confirmed it had closed a number of public areas on the ship, including the public toilets and self-service buffet. The illness included a sudden onset of symptoms and lasted one to two days.
Explaining how such incidents are dealt with on board, the company said frequent cleaning of all areas of the ship is carried out. Any guests showing symptoms of the virus are asked to remain in their cabins, with complimentary room service and in-cabin entertainment, until they are classed as symptom-free by the ship's doctor.
The company added: "At Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, the health, safety and wellbeing of all our guests and crew is paramount, and we believe that our systems for preventing the spread of illness on board our ships are amongst the best within the industry."
19 February 2019
Hundreds of passengers have had their travel plans cancelled following the collapse of airline flybmi.
[more...]
16 February 2019
Holidaymakers were left fuming after a "lack of clarity" over Brexit led a Romanian airline to cancel flights from Liverpool's John Lennon Airport.
15 February 2019
British Airways celebrated Valentine's Day with a special flight where all members of the cabin crew were couples who work for the airline.
14 February 2019
The "concerning" level of stigma surrounding the human papilloma virus (HPV) could be putting some women off going for vital check-ups, campaigners are warning.
13 February 2019
Older people living with depression should be given better access to community activities and therapy instead of being prescribed antidepressants, researchers have urged.
12 February 2019
The Government has been criticised for failing to act on warnings about the link between processed meats and cancer, by the scientist who co-authored the original advice.
09 February 2019
A grandfather who has battled three types of cancer is cycling from Twickenham to Tokyo in time for the Rugby World Cup - all in aid of charity.
08 February 2019
Lovers of traditional fish and chips are embracing a more health-conscious version of their favourite food, a new study suggests.
07 February 2019
Two thirds of UK adults don't know they're able to lower their risk of developing dementia, new research has shown.
06 February 2019
More than 600 people a day are quitting their jobs to care for relatives, a charity has warned.
05 February 2019
Millennials in the US face an increasing risk of developing an obesity-related cancer, a new study has revealed.
02 February 2019
More than 100 people sought refuge at a pub high on Bodmin Moor overnight after heavy snowfall hit the A30, leading many stranded motorists to abandon their cars.