Couple struck down by virus on anniversary cruise

A GRIMSBY couple say a cruise operator gave them a Golden Wedding to remember – after they claim they were 'abandoned' in a cheap hotel with a stomach bug.

Colin, 73, and Margaret McPherson, 72, of Chester Grange, had hoped to finish off their celebrations – and a great holiday – in style.

However, on the day they were due to fly home from their cruise around the Caribbean, they say their dream trip turned into a nightmare.

The captain announced there was an outbreak of Norovirus, Margaret was struck with a gastric illness, and the pair were moved to the Altamont Hotel in Montego Bay.

Colin described the hotel as cheap and small, situated on the Hip Strip, with police patrolling up and down the promenade in pairs.

They say they were not allowed to leave the hotel for 48 hours, and claim to have received no information from the Princess Cruises, which organised the trip.

Eventually, 10 more couples who were affected by the outbreak joined the pair in the hotel.

The couple got in touch with the British Consulate, who in turn informed the Jamaican authorities.

"The Jamaican authorities were not aware we had been put on the island," Colin said.

"The gentleman we spoke to said we would not have been allowed there, and that they didn't want people with this condition on the island.

"He said his boss would be 'incandescent' we were here."

For reasons that were not made clear, they were given highly spiced take-away food – not suitable for some of the less healthy of the group.

Colin tells how he ended up eating cornflakes out of a polystyrene cup, and spreading butter on his toast with a fork handle – as they were not given proper bowls or cutlery.

The couple say they believe some of the hygiene practices on board the Sea Princess could have played a part in the outbreak – there were no gel dispensers on board the ship.

Margaret said: "I was sick for three days and missed the whole Golden Wedding. I couldn't eat a thing – all I could do was drink water.

"I can't believe the cruise operators have treated us like this.

"Nobody from the touring company was on standby. They just left us.

"Some people struck by the illness said they were going back, but I was not going to – you can't get on a plane, it would have spread."

A spokesperson for Princess Cruises said: "The illness was confirmed as Norovirus, which is highly contagious and typically transmitted from person to person.

"Norovirus is currently widely circulating throughout the UK, Europe and North America and has affected a number of schools, hospitals, nursing homes and children's day care centres.

"At short notice, we provided accommodation on a complimentary basis while we made onward travel arrangements for them.

"We have made an offer that we feel to be a fair and just reflection to the disruption of their onward travel plans."