A suspected Norovirus outbreak has hit the P&O Iona cruise ship, causing passengers and crew to suffer from severe stomach issues while sailing near Belgium.
Some travellers said the situation was chaotic, with people getting sick suddenly and vomiting in public areas.
According to Sky News, a passenger said, “People were throwing up in restaurants, on decks, outside cabins,” highlighting the widespread nature of the illness.
The P&O Iona, which set sail from Southampton on 15th February for a seven-day Northern European cruise, has over 5,000 passengers and 1,800 crew members on board, though the exact number of those affected remains unclear.
On February 20, the ship’s captain made a public announcement, confirming that crew members were working to contain the outbreak. P&O Cruises admitted that “some guests have unfortunately reported gastrointestinal symptoms,” but assured that fewer than 1% of passengers were affected, according to Sky News.
Despite this, some quarantined guests have complained about difficulties in receiving food, fresh towels, and clean bed linen, allegedly due to staff shortages. “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,” a passenger told Sky News.
Passengers have also expressed frustration over the lack of over-the-counter medication on board. “Not one shop or medical centre onboard could supply guests with gastrointestinal suspension medication or replacement salts/fluid sachets,” a guest said, according to The Mirror.
P&O Cruises responds
P&O Cruises has assured affected passengers that full refunds will be provided for any missed shore excursions due to illness. The company also refuted claims of medication shortages, stating, “Medication is readily available through our onboard medical centre, and an emergency support number is available 24 hours a day”.
The cruise line further emphasised its adherence to health protocols, explaining, “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. P&O Cruises works with global, national and regional public health authorities on approved and proven protocols across our ships to protect the health and wellbeing of all on board”.
Norovirus outbreaks are not uncommon on cruise ships, given the close quarters and shared dining facilities.
According to Euro Weekly News, large numbers of passengers and crew members have been confined to their rooms due to vomiting and diarrhoea, disrupting what was meant to be a relaxing holiday.
Despite P&O Cruises’ reassurances, many passengers remain critical of how the situation has been handled. With the cruise scheduled to return to Southampton soon, travellers are hoping for better management of onboard health crises in the future.
