The P&O Iona, which is currently sailing off the coast of Belgium, has seen a large number of passengers and staff experiencing symptoms of the vomiting bug
A suspected norovirus outbreak has reportedly struck a P&O cruise ship, with passengers alleging that fellow travellers are “dropping like flies” due to the spreading illness. The P&O Iona, currently navigating off the Belgian coast, has seen a surge in passengers and crew members exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting in restaurants, on decks, and outside cabins, according to one passenger’s account to Sky News.
The vessel, capable of accommodating over 5,000 passengers and 1,800 crew members, is on a week-long Northern European cruise, making stops in Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Zeebrugge. It set sail from Southampton on February 15, carrying many families taking advantage of the half-term holiday.
P&O Cruises confirmed to Sky News that some guests had reported gastrointestinal symptoms but maintained that less than 1% of passengers were affected. On Thursday (February 20), the ship’s captain addressed passengers, announcing that efforts were underway to contain the outbreak and halt its spread.
READ MORE: Warning issued to three vulnerable groups as norovirus cases at ‘record high’
However, some quarantined guests complained that staff shortages had made it challenging to receive food deliveries, fresh towels, and clean bed linen. One passenger told Sky News: “Even the entertainment has been adversely affected, with many of the scheduled acts unable to perform and replaced with a cobbled-together entertainment programme to placate the guests.”
Passengers aboard a P&O cruise were left in a bit of a pickle when they found it almost impossible to get their hands on necessary meds. According to disgruntled guests, “Not one shop or medical centre onboard could supply guests with gastrointestinal suspension medication or replacement salts/fluid sachets,” leaving many at sea without essential relief, reports the Express.
Despite these choppy waters, P&O Cruises has stepped forward, assuring those queasy passengers that full refunds will be issued for any missed shore excursions due to sickness.
The cruise line also hit back at claims of medication shortages, reinforcing the fact that their onboard medical centre is stocked and emergency support is waiting in the wings 24/7 to attend to any urgent health concerns. Addressing the outbreak, P&O Cruises remarked: “Gastrointestinal-related illnesses are very common in the UK and are predominantly spread by person-to-person transmission in environments such as hotels, schools, and restaurants.”
They emphasised their commitment to passenger health and safety by highlighting strict adherence to public health authority protocols designed to shield everyone on board from harm.