Passengers' fury as 200 are struck down on 'virus' cruise ship

Passengers' fury as 200 are struck down on 'virus' cruise ship
By Helen McCormack
Published: 03 June 2006

A cruise ship had to return to the UK prematurely after hundreds of passengers were struck down by a virus. More than 2,000 Britons finally disembarked from the Sea Princess after it docked in the port of Southampton yesterday morning.

The vessel, which is part of the Princess Cruises fleet, left Southampton for a seven-night European tour last Saturday.

But it was forced to turn back and return to England a day earlier than planned after about 200 passengers became ill. They are thought to have contracted the highly contagious norovirus.

Passengers who were affected by the virus suffered vomiting and diarrhoea after contracting the virus, which thrives in semi-closed environments.

Some on board complained of being forced to stay in their cabins for much of the trip to try to prevent the virus from spreading, and said the crew did not have the capacity to cope with the outbreak.

Philip Wilson, 50, from Radstock, near Bath, said his entire family was struck by the virus. He said the ship's staff could not cope because many of the crew had also fallen ill. "It was just a nightmare. It was a holiday from hell," Mr Wilson said.

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Ah you can't beat a holiday at sea. Over the bounding main we go. If we're not sick as dogs, the ship catches fire, the ship runs aground, and if all else fails we can simply fall overboard. Yep the cruise lines spare no expense in making sure you're never bored with all these interesting activities to occupy your time.