Symptoms
Yet another reason not to be captive on a giant ship with more than 4200 people.
Problems with a stomach bug spreading on a cruise ship have been going on for weeks, passengers have told the BBC. The P&O Cruises vessel Ventura left Southampton on 11 May for a two-week cruise around the Canary Islands. On Saturday, the company confirmed that “enhanced” sanitation protocols had been put in place following reports of passengers with “gastrointestinal symptoms”. However, people who travelled on Ventura in previous weeks said the illness had also been present during their cruises.
What’s worse than being on a giant cruise ship? Being on a giant cruise ship with GI problems.
One passenger developed acute gastroenteritis, was hospitalized, and nearly died.
Marie spent six days in hospital on antibiotics before flying home on 3 May. She said she believed she had “definitely” picked up the bug on the ship but that P&O would not acknowledge it.
There are two giant cruise ships about half a mile west of me right now, soon to back out and chug away toward Alaska. I hope the wind isn’t blowing this way.
Also, bringing up something that Ophelia has raised before:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c19dk8rgmg0o
The Ventura is relatively new, but if something nasty has got into the pipes and onto surfaces, it could take months to thoroughly clean the ship, unless taken out of service to sanitise.
Giant, floating Petri dishes…
To add a follow up:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd110jlgp7do
Would not like to be involved in this job…
To delay boarding will be costly, add to berthing fees and receive demands for compensation from passengers. A costly PR issue for P&O.
Gee, I sure would be excited about going on that trip.