Extreme Sea Sickness

Filed in archive Destination: Europe , Sea Travel on May 30, 2006

"It's hard to know where to start... the MV Van Gogh has so much to offer those who are lucky enough to walk up the gangway."

So reads the introductory text for the TravelScope seven day cruise from Harwich to the Norwegian fjords. One thing passengers didn't expect: an outbreak of Norovirus, 100 ill passengers and crew, the impounding of the ship and the cancelation of their cruise.

Passengers on board became ill with a suspected outbreak of the winter vomiting virus as the ship set sail, requiring a return to harbour and hospitalisation of two passengers. The Maritime Coastguard Agency impounded the ship on the advice of the port health authority.

Tour operator TravelScope is refunding fares and paying compensation to passengers who were taken ill. Still, I'm not sure which would be worse: the cancellation of a cruise, or being detained for 48 hours in Harwich.