A luxurious cruise was overshadowed by an outbreak of a stomach virus, leaving 200 travelers unwell.
The renowned Balmoral, operated by Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, embarked on a 10-day journey from Southampton, UK, to explore the scenic Norwegian Fjords.
Upon docking on January 30, around 200 passengers reported symptoms consistent with gastroenteritis, as one traveler shared with the Shetland Times.
This passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, mentioned that both he and his wife fell ill during the cruise.
He further noted that regular announcements were made, indicating an increase in passengers experiencing gastroenteritis symptoms.
The Balmoral, with a capacity of approximately 1,250 guests and 537 crew members, saw about 11 percent of those on board affected by the illness, which typically involves nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The cause of the outbreak was not immediately confirmed. However, Cruisehive reported that norovirus is likely to be the culprit.
To prevent further transmission, the crew implemented protocols putting the ship into a state of lockdown, according to the Press and Journal.
All decks were closed, as well as all five restaurants on the ship.
To make things worse, terrible weather conditions created unsafe conditions for the Balmoral to dock in Lerwick for Shetland’s annual fire festival, Up Helly Aa. The event is the largest Viking festival held in Scotland.
The Balmoral can carry about 1,250 guests and 537 crew members, meaning that roughly 11 percent of those on board were affected by the illness
Julie Homer told the Press Journal that the virus made the cruise an ‘unpleasant environment.’
‘We had two rough sea days, after the virus outbreak was announced last Thursday,’ Homer said. ‘All procedures changed on board; there was no self-service at meal times.’
Events such as dancing had been cancelled; and all the puzzles, books, and playing cards were locked away.
‘Staff were generally working so hard to keep everything clean,’ she noted. ‘It wasn’t very pleasant, and a lot of people, including myself, spent as much time outside as we could.
Homer said she caught the virus on Monday, January 26, and was very ill.
‘We stayed in the cabin for 48 hours and had a visit from a nurse and calls to check how I was feeling,’ she said.
‘I was not well enough to get off the ship on Thursday, and am still not well with headaches, tiredness, and stomach aches.’
Kate Bunyan, Fred Olsen’s director of health services said that the crew of the cruise ‘have immediately implemented measures to help reduce transmission, and our medical team is on hand to provide support to anyone who should feel unwell during the cruise’
The series of unfortunate events was addressed by Kate Bunyan, Fred Olsen’s director of health services.
Bunyan said the company understood the disappointment of missing the much-anticipated Up-Helly-Aa festival but added that safety is their top priority before discussing the plague on board.
‘We have immediately implemented measures to help reduce transmission, and our medical team is on hand to provide support to anyone who should feel unwell during the cruise,’ wrote the director.
‘Balmoral will be returning to Southampton tomorrow, where she will set sail a little later than planned to allow for a deep clean of the ship and cruise terminal.
‘The safety and well-being of our guests and crew is our highest priority, and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has robust health, hygiene, and safety protocols in place at all times.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines for comment.
