Tour operator denies cruise sickness claim

A TOUR operator accused of making 200 cruise passengers ill has denied the claims.

Thomson was yesterday named by a law firm representing scores of holidaymakers who said they had experienced a range of symptoms from uncontrollable diarrhoea to sickness aboard its biggest vessel, the Thomson Dream.

Included in that group was elderly Dalkeith couple Jane and William Grant, who went on a Mediterranean cruise in October last year and claimed their trip was “ruined” by conditions on the ship.

However, the company today hit back at law firm Irwin Mitchell.

A spokeswoman said: “Thomson Cruises refutes any claims of sickness on board Thomson Dream during May to December 2010, caused by a lack of consideration to hygiene practises on the ship.

“At Thomson Cruises, the health and safety of our customers is our primary focus and we are genuinely concerned to hear of any illnesses reported on our ship.

“We continuously monitor all ships in our fleet to ensure the strictest health, safety, hygiene and comfort levels our customers expect are maintained.”