Major Illness Outbreak Disrupts Scottish Cruise Ship Itinerary
A significant outbreak of gastroenteritis has affected hundreds of passengers aboard the Fred Olsen cruise liner The Balmoral, leading to substantial disruption to the vessel's scheduled itinerary and raising serious health concerns.
Port Visit Cancelled Amid Health and Weather Concerns
The cruise ship, which carries more than 1,200 passengers, was scheduled to dock in Lerwick, Shetland, on Tuesday, January 27. However, this visit was cancelled on Sunday due to a combination of severe weather conditions affecting the islands and the emerging health crisis onboard the vessel.
Passengers reported a widespread outbreak of gastroenteritis – a highly infectious stomach illness characterised by symptoms including diarrhoea and vomiting. According to one passenger who spoke to The Shetland Times, approximately 200 people aboard the vessel had become unwell, with daily announcements warning of increasing cases presenting with gastroenteritis symptoms.
Contradictory Reports and Passenger Isolation
While some passengers suggested the reports might have been overstated, arguing that many cases could be attributed to seasickness caused by turbulent conditions during the crossing from Norway, the cruise line confirmed that numerous passengers had experienced gastrointestinal symptoms. Some travellers were reportedly placed in isolation due to what was described as a major outbreak of the illness.
The cancellation of the Lerwick visit meant that some passengers missed the world-renowned Up-Helly-Aa fire festival, Shetland's annual celebration of its Norse heritage held every year on the last Tuesday of January.
Cruise Line Response and Safety Measures
Fred Olsen Cruises stated that weather forecasts made docking dangerous, with a spokesperson telling The Shetland Times: "While we understand the disappointment of missing the much-anticipated Up-Helly-Aa festival, the safety of our guests and crew must always remain our highest priority."
Kate Bunyan, the company's director of health services, confirmed the outbreak and outlined the response measures: "We have immediately implemented measures to help reduce transmission, and our medical team is on hand to provide support to anyone who should feel unwell during the cruise."
Operational Disruption and Deep Cleaning Procedures
The Balmoral will be returning to Southampton tomorrow, where it will set sail later than planned to allow for a comprehensive deep clean of both the ship and the cruise terminal. The company emphasised that the safety and wellbeing of guests and crew remains the highest priority, with robust health, hygiene, and safety protocols in place at all times.
Travellers booked on the cruise ship departing from Southampton on Thursday experienced delays after reports emerged that multiple passengers had developed gastroenteritis symptoms. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has contacted customers scheduled to board Balmoral in Southampton on Friday to explain that delayed embarkation is necessary to facilitate a thorough deep clean of the vessel upon its arrival at port.
The company explained that this alteration represents a precautionary step designed to safeguard the health and wellbeing of both passengers and crew members. In correspondence sent to travellers, the cruise company emphasised there was "no cause for concern" and highlighted that the modification formed part of its comprehensive health procedures.
