More food poisoning problems at sea

A couple have sued their travel agent after falling ill during a luxury cruise holiday.

They sailed in June on the Independence of the Seas, taking a Mediterranean cruise but their problems started on the very first night when they had to send food back because it arrived at their table cold.

Their cruise ship visited France, Portugal, Spain and Italy on what was meant to be a celebration cruise which incorporated the wife’s fiftieth birthday celebrations but they say that as well as sending cold food back several times, they saw curdled milk and yoghurts in faulty chill cabinets. Two days before the end of their fourteen day cruise they developed diarrhoea, fever and headaches and on the last night of the cruise they were so unwell they couldn’t leave their cabin. The couple say that a number of people they met on the cruise had similar problems with food and with illness. Subsequent investigation showed the couple had contracted campylobacter – a common form of food poisoning. They say they have taken and enjoyed several cruises before but have been made wary about booking another. The couple’s solicitor says ‘… travel agents have a duty to ensure they are sending customers on holidays where the highest hygiene and food safety standards are being maintained.’ Their travel agent has refused to comment while legal action is ongoing.