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Posted on 04/08/2016 | About Jamaica

Irwin Mitchell is a UK based law firm that has had success representing passengers who fell ill after their vacations on Thomson Dream Cruise ships. In 2010 they represented 200 passengers who settled with the cruise line for an undisclosed amount. Now they have been approached by three couples wanting legal advice after a run of health issues since returning from their winter cruise vacations.

All three couples travelled with Thomson Dream cruise ship between January and March this year. All report enduring stomach pains, dizziness and nausea, but there is also a case of bacterial pneumonia and loss of vision. 

Lesley Withington, from Castleford, West Yorkshire was diagnosed with suspected bacterial pneumonia when she returned to the UK after a cruise over New Year’s. She spent five days in the hospital. Her husband Paul was diagnosed with a chest infection, was prescribed antibiotics and is still being treated. Both reported dizziness, confusion, a cough, loss of appetite, shortness of breath and general lethargy as well as gastric symptoms while on their two-week cruise starting from Montego Bay, Jamaica. 

They allege that their cabin smelled damp and they claim the carpet in their room was wet and began to smell of sewage during the trip. Their complaints to staff were reportedly ignored. Joseph and Linda Pennington travelled on board the ship in January, with Joseph, suffering gastric symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps within days of coming aboard. Linda was diagnosed with a chest infection and was prescribed antibiotics by the ship’s doctor, and placed on an intravenous drip several times throughout the cruise. Paul Easton and Susan Clews, from Birmingham cruised on Thomson Dream in February and claim to have suffered respiratory illnesses. 

Susan also developed sore eyes, migraines and difficulty breathing. She was treated by the ship's doctor and prescribed antibiotics and eye drops and was placed on an IV drip, but eventually suffered blurred vision. When she returned home and went to the Birmingham Eye Hospital, she was told that she may need surgery. She claims that doctors later told her that her sight issues may be linked to the respiratory illness she suffered. Her vision has since, started to return to normal.

Jayne Murphy, an expert travel illness lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said, “This is the third time we have been asked to investigate illness on board the Thomson Dream in recent years. It is extremely worrying that we have been contacted by three couples who spent time on the ship at different times in the early part of this year. “Understandably, all of them are very upset and angry that their cruises, which were supposed to be enjoyable and luxurious breaks, were ruined when they all fell ill. “The concerns each of these people have shared with us are very worrying and it is concerning that they also saw others suffering with the same illnesses during their time on board the ship. Illnesses can spread very quickly on cruise ships if the correct precautions are not taken and we would like to hear from anyone else who travelled on board the Thomson Dream earlier this year how may be able to help with our enquiries.”