Carnival Corp-owned UK-based line P&O Cruises is facing a demand for compensation from more than 100 guests impacted by a series of Norovirus outbreaks on several cruises earlier this year.
London law firm Hudgell Solicitors is handling the compensation requests of 115 P&O Ventura guests.
Successive Outbreaks Accorded Over Several Weeks
It is related to claims of illness, loss of enjoyment, and loss of amenities during “repeated outbreaks onboard over consecutive months.” Hudgell is calling for a speedy resolution to the claims. It has given Carnival Corp and P&O Cruises six weeks to recognize the claims being made, and then six months to investigate and respond to them.
Hundreds of Norovirus cases affected the P&O Ventura over several successive cruises between April and June this year. On one sailing from Southampton, England, in May, more than 500 cases were reported.
“The problems with illness outbreaks on the Ventura over the past year have been well documented, and extensively covered in the media. They are undeniable. Illness was rife on board during many cruises, ruining hundreds of vacations,” said Anne Thomson of Hudgell Solicitors.
“We understand and accept that illness outbreaks can happen on individual cruise sailings, but here we had a situation where it happened on consecutive sailings over a number of months,” she added.
Law Firm Seeks Quick Response to Claims
Thomson seeks a “sensible and collaborative approach to resolving these claims” from the cruise company. “It is only right that people are fully compensated and we hope that Carnival Corporation recognize this and come to the table quickly to offer sensible resolutions.”
Shortly after the outbreaks, P&O Cruises was accused of sharing misleading information regarding the number of guests taken ill. On May 22, it said just 0.64 percent of passengers were symptomatic, but a Freedom of Information request revealed 519 confirmed cases of illness at the virus’ peak.
