Cruise cut short by Legionnaires outbreak

Irish passengers have told how a dream cruise holiday trip was marred by an outbreak of Legionnaires Disease on board the vessel.

Two passengers on the Black Watch cruise ship operated by Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, have tested positive for Legionnaires Disease, a spokeswoman confirmed as the ship docked at Dover two days early.

The cruise was cut short after seven passengers fell ill with flu-like symptoms on Friday.

After being treated by the ship’s doctor the seven people – five women and two men -were transferred to hospital in the Swedish capital of Stockholm where two tested positive for the bacteria.

One woman remains in hospital. She is not suffering from Legionnaires and has an unrelated complaint, a spokeswoman said.

Two of the seven passengers were taken earlier yesterday to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent.

As passengers disembarked from the liner last night, they pointed the finger at a stopover in Russia after tests on the ship so far proved negative.

Most passengers were smiling as they left the cruise at around 9pm, despite having their holiday cut short by two days.

The cruise included stops at ports in Russia, Estonia, Finland and Sweden.

Breda Somers, a 61-year-old from Kilkenny, said: “I think it was after we got to St Petersburg that we first became aware of it.

“After a meeting with the captain we were all asked not to have showers so we washed the old-fashioned way using a basin.

“Everyone was happy enough after it got discussed with the captain.”

Clare Cassidy, aged 32, from Co Clare had no axe to grind as she left the ship.

“Everything that was done for us was great. I’ve no complaints,” she said.

The 756 passengers, some of whom had paid £6,000 (€8,901) for the 17-day trip were offered a 25% reduction on the total cost of their holiday.

The majority were British, with some Irish and a few Belgians.

Dr Chandrakumar boarded the ship last night to examine the cabins of the sick and meet with the captain.

He said a deep cleaning and chlorination will take place before the ship sets sail for Portugal tomorrow.

The doctor said a review would be carried out tomorrow but he thought it likely that the ship would get the all clear.

Legionnaires disease is commonly caused by bacteria in water vapour. Sufferers develop flu-like symptoms.