Passengers on a P&O cruise are ‘throwing up in restaurants, on decks, outside cabins’ amid a suspected virus outbreak, it has been claimed. The P&O Iona, which carries around 5,000 guests and 1,800 staff, is currently passing Belgium on a seven-day cruise across northern Europe.
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Martin Dalton/REX/Shutterstock (11906210t) P&O Cruises latest edition to the fleet Iona arrives in Southampton in heavy rain ahead of her naming ceremony today (16-05-21) by the Ships Godmother Dame Irene Hays in a virtual ceremony that will include a live performance from singer Gary Barlow and hosted by DJ and Broadcaster Jo Whiley. Dame Hays founded Hays Travel in 1980 with her husband John who died suddenly in November 2020. P&O's Iona is the largest cruise ship built for the UK market and can hold 5200 passengers and 1800 crew, she is 344m in length. She also is the first British cruise ship to be powered by Liquefied natural gas (LNG) to be the greenest ship in P&O's fleet. Her maiden voyage delayed from last year due to Covid-19 sails on August 7th on a seven day cruise to the Island of Iona and other Scottish Isles. P&O Iona arrives in Southampton, Hampshire, Southampton, UK - 16 May 2021]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/SEI_240847742-6497.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Taking place during the half-term school break, it’s thought there are a large number of families on board. A passenger on the ship told Sky News people are ‘dropping like flies’ and a ‘large number’ of guests and staff have fallen unwell, though the precise extent of the outbreak could not be confirmed.
P&O Cruises has confirmed that some guests have reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness. The company claimed the proportion is lower than 1% of guests (500) but did not comment on illnesses among staff. It was reported that some passengers are self-isolating but complained of problems with food delivery and other issues due to staff shortages.
‘Not one shop or medical centre onboard’ was able to provide medication for stomach bugs or rehydration sachets, the passenger told Sky, which reported that the bug is suspected to be norovirus. P&O Cruises said any guests who experienced symptoms on the Iona and weren’t able to take part in ‘shore activities’ would be fully refunded.
Norovirus symptoms come on suddenly and usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and body aches. It usually clears in two to three days, although risks can increase if insufficient fluid intake leads to dehydration. Sea cruises have suffered from a global increase in stomach bug outbreaks.
Health authorities in the US recently confirmed 2024 saw the highest number of gastrointestinal virus outbreaks in over a decade. A spokesperson for P&O Cruises added: ‘P&O Cruises works with global, national and regional public health authorities on approved and proven protocols across our ships in order to protect the health and wellbeing of all on board.
‘Gastrointestinal related illness is very common in the UK and is predominantly spread by person to person transmission in environments such as hotels, schools and restaurants.’. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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