Iona cruise ship leaving the Port of Vigo, Spain, in stormy weather in 2022.
Suspected Norovirus outbreak on Iona P&O cruise ship.
Credit: Shutterstock, Rojo5
It’s all hands on decks – literally – as a wave of suspected Norovirus cases have reportedly struck holidaymakers aboard P&O’s flagship vessel, the Iona. The giant liner, currently sailing off the coast of Belgium, has been battered by a bout of gastrointestinal cases, leaving a growing number of passengers confined to their rooms.
Chaos in the cabins
Large numbers of guests, as well as crew members, have succumbed to stomach troubles, including vomiting and diarrhoea.
P&O Cruises insists the outbreak has, so far, only affected fewer than 1% of the passengers on board, but it’s not exactly smooth sailing for those unwell. The P&O Iona, with a capacity to carry over 5,000 holidaymakers plus 1,800 staff, set off from Southampton on February 15 for a seven-day tour of Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Zeebrugge. However, the joys of seeing northern Europe have been overshadowed by an unwelcome wave of upsets.
Captain’s call to arms
On Thursday, February 20, the ship’s captain announced over the public address system that staff were working tirelessly to stop the spread, advising everyone to wash their hands and take precautions. But some isolated passengers claim they’ve been left high and dry, struggling to get food delivered and fresh towels or linen, possibly due to crew shortages.
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