QUESTION....Nathan Philpot...Fred Olsen Cruises.

Fred Olsen Cruises has become well known for the prevalence of Neurovirus and many passengers have suffered as a result. Every time this situation has arisen the ship has been decontaminated during the few hours in between cruises and the disease quickly reappears. Experts consider that the stricken ship should be taken out of service for at least a week to completely get rid it of the disease. When do Fred Olsen Cruises intend to carry out a thorough and proper decontamination procedure to get rid of this problem once and for all?

Resulting loss of income by the cruise line would surely be less than the compensation having to be paid following the many Law Suits.

Thank you for your comment. Norovirus or the ‘Winter vomiting bug’ is common across all cruise ships (not just Fred. Olsen), hospitals, schools, hotels and other areas where people are in close proximity. Most people do not report incidences but on a cruise ship where movement is obviously restricted, cases are highlighted. I believe it affects 267 million people a year. It is particularly prevalent during periods of cold weather. Ships can go months without any issues (more than the week you refer to being out of service) but because it is so easily transferred from passenger to passenger, it can reoccur.

I would like to reassure you that at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the health, safety and well-being of our guests and crew on board remains our priority at all times. As a result of the Norovirus outbreaks earlier in the year, Boudicca underwent intensive 'deep cleans' and sanitising operations on several occasions, by independent specialist contractors. The gastro-enteritis virus is spread very easily by contact with surfaces and from person to person, and all Fred. Olsen guests are made aware of the importance of meticulous hygiene at all times; guests are asked to complete a medical questionnaire before embarkation, and are reminded regularly to use the sanitising hand gel provided and to take the necessary precautions on board to minimise the infection.

We believe that our systems for preventing the spread of illness on board our ships are amongst the best within the industry, and the health and well-being of our guests and crew is always our utmost priority. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' ships meet, at all times, the highest safety, hygiene and health standards, and comply fully with the strict requirements and inspections of their Flag State and relevant authorities.

[quote name='Nathan Philpot']Thank you for your comment. Norovirus or the ‘Winter vomiting bug’ is common across all cruise ships (not just Fred. Olsen), hospitals, schools, hotels and other areas where people are in close proximity. Most people do not report incidences but on a cruise ship where movement is obviously restricted, cases are highlighted. I believe it affects 267 million people a year. It is particularly prevalent during periods of cold weather. Ships can go months without any issues (more than the week you refer to being out of service) but because it is so easily transferred from passenger to passenger, it can reoccur.

I would like to reassure you that at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the health, safety and well-being of our guests and crew on board remains our priority at all times. As a result of the Norovirus outbreaks earlier in the year, Boudicca underwent intensive 'deep cleans' and sanitising operations on several occasions, by independent specialist contractors. The gastro-enteritis virus is spread very easily by contact with surfaces and from person to person, and all Fred. Olsen guests are made aware of the importance of meticulous hygiene at all times; guests are asked to complete a medical questionnaire before embarkation, and are reminded regularly to use the sanitising hand gel provided and to take the necessary precautions on board to minimise the infection.

We believe that our systems for preventing the spread of illness on board our ships are amongst the best within the industry, and the health and well-being of our guests and crew is always our utmost priority. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' ships meet, at all times, the highest safety, hygiene and health standards, and comply fully with the strict requirements and inspections of their Flag State and relevant authorities.[/QUOTE]
Thank you for your reply. You have missed the point. I was told the ship was clear but your Staff Member had to retract only hours later. Norovirus does not manifest itself overnight, it has an incubation period and when I was advised the ship was clear, Noro had already been prevalent on board, and people were still ill. The ship even docked with many passengers still suffering. Please don't hide the truth.