A luxury cruise ship has been branded the "QE-Poo" after passengers on board were struck down by a suspected norovirus outbreak.
The ten-day cruise from Rosyth to Germany turned into a nightmare after more than 100 people on board fell ill and are said to be confined to their cabins on the Fred Olsen ship the MV Balmoral. It is understood 1154 people are onboard.
Liz Webster from Falkirk is one of those quarantining on the vessel that left the Firth of Forth on June 22, and told the Record her luxury holiday "ended up being more QE-Poo than QE2".
The 66-year-old and her pal Grace forked out £1,500 each for the cruise.
Liz said: "I picked up the bug a few days into the trip and was told I had to isolate straight away.
"It has been a nightmare being stuck in that room alone.
"I spent a lot of money to come on this holiday and was expecting a luxury cruise but it has ended up being more QEPoo than QE2.
"At least 100 passengers have been unwell so far.
"When I became sick they were calling me frequently asking about my symptoms. I wasn't allowed to leave my room without leaving a stool sample outside for a staff member.
"One woman I spoke to who lives near me in Falkirk was isolated in her cabin for four days."
Liz claims passengers were delayed for two hours before being allowed to board the ship so it could be cleaned.
She continued: "We got a text on the day we were due to leave saying that the ship had to be delayed for two hours because it was being cleaned but we weren't really sure why at that stage.
"Once we got onboard we noticed signs everywhere advising people to wash their hands, and regular announcements over the tannoy.
"The next day we were informed over the tannoy that there was an outbreak on the ship and told anyone who became infected would have to be isolated.
"Then they shut down all the toilets and we were told the only ones that would be available were the ones in our cabins.
"Then the jacuzzis were closed off too, and we were unable to handle any food, with everything now brought to us by waiters.
"Staff are now in protective clothing and masks taking food into people's rooms.
"I needed to go to the toilet this morning and I couldn't get into my room because the staff were inside cleaning so there was nowhere else to go and I was left standing outside really distressed.
"We can't understand why they let us on if there was an infection on the ship."
"There are 1154 passengers on board and I would guess that at least 100 of us have been unwell on the cruise. You see staff in protective clothing and masks taking food into people's rooms all the time so it could be even more people than that.
"I needed to go to the toilet this morning and I couldn't get into my room because the staff were inside cleaning so there was nowhere else to go and I was left standing outside really distressed.
"It has just been one thing after another really. I spent a lot of money to come on this holiday and was expecting a luxury cruise but it has ended up being more QEPoo than QE2."
Fred Olsen Cruises sent a letter to passengers on board advising them public health experts suggested isolation was necessary.
It states: "It is essential that you remain isolated in your cabin while symptomatic and for 48 hours after the last episode of either vomiting or diarrhoea. We know that people continue to shed the virus several days after symptoms stop, but with good personal hygiene, the risk of spreading infection to others lessons.
"We appreciate that you want to return to your holiday activities as soon as possible, but we have found that those who leave their cabin before this time, put the whole ship at risk of infection. Public health experts have advised us that this period of time is essential to minimise risk to others."
Kate Bunyan, Company Medical Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We can confirm that a small number of guests and crew have been affected by acute gastroenteritis symptoms on board Balmoral on her recent 10-night cruise to the German Cities with Kiel Week Regatta, which departed from Rosyth on 22nd June.
“We will be carrying out a thorough deep clean prior to the next embarkation, which will delay the departure of our next cruise on Sunday by three hours.
“The safety and well-being of all our guests and crew on board is of paramount importance, and at all times, Fred. Olsen’s cruise ships meet the highest safety, hygiene and health standards.”
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