P&O Cruises Faces Compensation Claims After Widespread Norovirus Outbreak
More than 100 passengers have submitted compensation claims following a significant norovirus outbreak on the P&O Ventura cruise ship during its voyages between April and June. Lawyers representing the holidaymakers allege repeated illness outbreaks that severely impacted passengers’ experiences.
During a two-week cruise around the Canary Islands in May, approximately 519 holidaymakers developed norovirus symptoms. Initially, Carnival (P&O’s parent company) downplayed the outbreak, claiming fewer than 1% of passengers were affected. However, Southampton’s port health authority later revealed that at the height of the outbreak, more than 12% of passengers were ill.
Norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug causing vomiting and diarrhea, cannot be eliminated by alcohol hand gel. The outbreak coincided with an “unseasonal rise” in norovirus cases across the UK, according to the UK Health Security Agency.
Howard and Hazel Lunn from Devon are among those seeking compensation. They set sail on 11 May for a £5,000 cruise but were quickly asked to isolate in their cabin after becoming ill. Mr. Lunn accused P&O of “hiding the figures” and being deliberately vague about the illness, using terms like “gastro-intestinal problems” instead of directly naming norovirus.
Hudgell Solicitors is representing 115 holidaymakers, seeking compensation for “illness, loss of enjoyment and losses”. Anne Thomson, a lawyer at the firm, stated that the legal action should come as “no surprise” to the cruise company, given the repeated outbreaks over consecutive months.
P&O implemented several protocols during the outbreak, including:
– Closing on-board launderettes
– Preventing self-service at buffets
– Deep-cleaning the Ventura
– Asking unwell passengers to isolate in their rooms
The outbreak was not limited to the Ventura. P&O’s Aurora also experienced significant illness rates during the same period:
– 16% of passengers (over 300 people) were ill during a 19-night Mediterranean cruise departing on 26 April
– Nearly 12% of passengers reported symptoms on a subsequent three-night Belgium cruise on 15 May
P&O Cruises has apologized and stated they will respond to the compensation claims. Carnival has six weeks to acknowledge the claims and a further six months to investigate and respond.
The legal action highlights the significant impact of the norovirus outbreak on passengers’ holiday experiences, with lawyers emphasizing not just the time spent ill, but the broader disruption to the cruise vacation.
A P&O spokesperson said: “We are sorry some of our guests may have been affected and we will be responding to the letter of claim in due course.”
