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28 July 2014 08:53
Cruises account for the largest number of consumer complaints
Cruise holidays are the biggest cause of grievance among travellers around the world, research suggests.
Over a quarter (27%) of the cases that law firm Irwin Mitchell dealt with in 2013 were to do with cruises, meaning trips on the seas have topped the consumer complaints list for the past four years in a row.
A number of popular vessels were the target of the criticisms. So, no matter who you're travelling with, it's important to ensure you're protected by adequate cruise travel insurance just in case something goes wrong.
Irwin Mitchell is currently representing passengers involved in group actions against cruise operators, following cruises upon the Island Escape, Boudicca, Oriana and Thomson Dream, plus several others around the world.
It is therefore calling on travel companies and cruise firms to take more responsibility for the welfare of their guests.
Cruise passengers falling ill on board cruise liners is still of particular concern, as is the fact that many of the destinations, individual hotels and cruise liners featured have appeared in the research on previous occasions.
Poor food preparation and storage and unclean swimming pools are responsible for the majority of illnesses.
Gastric illness and food poisoning are unfortunately common. Many of Irwin Mitchell's clients have even contracted potentially fatal illnesses including Salmonella, Cryptosporidium and E-Coli while on holiday.
Turkey accounted for 17% of the complaints - according to the figures for 2013 - followed by Egypt with 15% and the Dominican Republic with 12%.
Spain, meanwhile, accounted for 10%. Its appearance in the top four could be explained by the fact that the country remains the most popular holiday destination in Europe among British holidaymakers.
Explanations for Turkey, Egypt and the Dominican Republic are less clear and require further investigation.
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