A HULL couple's holiday-of-a-lifetime turned into a nightmare on board a luxury cruise ship.
The couple were struck down by gastric illness, which swept through passengers sailing the Mediterranean on Thomson's Island Escape.
They are among 85 others claiming they were confined to cabins, reeking of damp with overflowing toilets, for days on end after being served lukewarm and undercooked food during the cruise.
Now, they are taking legal action against the firm, which billed the holiday as "taking a more informal approach to life at sea".
Travel expert lawyer, Elizabeth Tetzner, at Irwin Mitchell, who are representing the couple, said: "These passengers deserved to have the luxury voyages they paid for but instead suffered horrific symptoms and had their cruises ruined.
"Gastric symptoms can be very serious and can cause long-term effects so it is crucial that we investigate the conditions on board and find out if more could have been done to prevent the spread of illness."
The couple, both 66, who asked not to be named, were both ill for days.
They were visited by the ship doctor who prescribed the man a five-day course of antibiotics and rehydration sachets and his wife, anti-sickness tablets.
After four days, the man began to feel slightly better – although did not fully recover until he got home – but his wife was overcome with sickness and was ill for much longer.
Thomson market Island Escape as "the most laid-back ship of the fleet", with luxury spa treatments and three restaurants, two of which offer "bumper buffet spreads".
In 2010, Thomson Holidays and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines hit the national headlines after several outbreaks of norovirus on the cruise ships, Island Escape and Boudicca.
"The number of people who have contacted us with complaints about this cruise is very worrying," said Ms Tetzner.
"There are strict health and safety measures that need to be followed onboard cruise ships, especially when illness has already been identified as an issue. We now hope Thomson will work with us to resolve our clients' cases both quickly and fairly."
Island Cruises said it was "inappropriate" to comment on the couple's experience because it was going through legal proceedings but stressed the comfort of customers was their "ultimate priority".
A spokesman said: "We are sorry to hear of this experience on board the Island Escape.
"The ultimate priority for Island Cruises is the health, safety and comfort of all our customers. We operate stringent health and hygiene procedures in line with industry standards."
What other passengers had to say ...
HERE is what other cruise passengers had to say on review website, TripAdvisor.
Lanzarotefour: "If you want grand then you have to pay grand! This is a basic cruise so don't go with high expectations. Nonetheless, the ship is clean, staff fantastic, entertain- ment amazing and the food excellent.
"You have to sanitise your hands before entering and exiting restaurants and the ship, I found this very reassuring and shows the company are active in reducing risk of infection."
q4tony: "My family and I really enjoyed the holiday. We found it to be a great start to cruising."
Clare70Lancs: "We're back on this ship in July, it will be our third time and we love it.
"The trips are expensive but worth it for first-timers."
