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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fury as cruise ship hit by sickness bug outbreak allows passengers out on Shetland town
An Italian cruise line has come under fire after thousands of passengers exposed to a sickness bug were allowed to disembark in a town in Shetland. Passengers on board Costa Cruises Costa Favolosa ship had reported symptoms of 'mild gastrointestinal illness' during a seven-day Northern European voyage from Hamburg before the vessel docked in Lerwick, Shetland, earlier this month. Both NHS Shetland and the Lerwick Port Authority said they had not been advised of any public health issues before the arrival of the cruise ship on 20 May. Dr Susan Laidlaw, director of Public Health at NHS Shetland, said that the body only received notification of illness on board Costa Favolosa 'through the Port Health route late in the afternoon of Tuesday 20 May'. 'However, we now understand that a small number of passengers with symptoms of gastroenteritis were being appropriately managed by the medical team on-board the vessel,' added Dr Laidlaw. Lerwick Port Authority added that 'vessels calling at the harbour are required to declare any concerns relating to passenger health' but on this occasion, the authority 'was not notified of any passenger ill-health on board the cruise ship Costa Favolosa'. Shore excursions for passengers in Lerwick were quickly cancelled by local operators when guests showed visible symptoms of a stomach bug. Sonia Robertson, managing director of R. Robertson and Son bus company, said that all island tours were stopped after a guest left a coach to be 'violently sick three times'. 'Something like this could have crippled the whole company and affect a lot of our staff and services,' she added, according to The Times. Almost 3,000 passengers crowded Lerwick's town centre before businesses were made aware that passengers had been taken ill with gastroenteritis on board. Celia Smith, owner of coffee shop Blyde Welcome, told The Shetland Times that locals had 'absolutely no warning' of the gastroenteritis breakout. She said: 'We could've been better prepared, we could've had more sanitiser and some businesses had face masks.' The 290-metre-long Costa Favolosa ship can carry almost 4,000 passengers. Dr Laidlaw advised hand washing and bleach-based cleaning products to help prevent the spread of gastrointestinal infections. Cruise operator Costa Cruises insisted that it had been permitted to dock in Lerwick. The cruise line said in a statement: 'During the May 15-22 cruise on Costa Favolosa, some guests reported mild gastrointestinal symptoms to the ship's medical centre. As a precaution, we immediately implemented enhanced disinfection and sanitation measures.' According to Lerwick Port Authority: 'The Authority has contacted parties involved, and agreed measures which will tighten up procedures ensuring documentation is completed correctly and timeously prior to a port call, to prevent recurrence.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Fury as cruise ship hit by sickness bug outbreak allows passengers out on Shetland town
An Italian cruise line has come under fire after thousands of passengers exposed to a sickness bug were allowed to disembark in a town in Shetland. Passengers on board Costa Cruises Costa Favolosa ship had reported symptoms of 'mild gastrointestinal illness ' during a seven-day Northern European voyage from Hamburg before the vessel docked in Lerwick, Shetland, earlier this month. Both NHS Shetland and the Lerwick Port Authority said they had not been advised of any public health issues before the arrival of the cruise ship on 20 May. Dr Susan Laidlaw, director of Public Health at NHS Shetland, said that the body only received notification of illness on board Costa Favolosa 'through the Port Health route late in the afternoon of Tuesday 20 May'. 'However, we now understand that a small number of passengers with symptoms of gastroenteritis were being appropriately managed by the medical team on-board the vessel,' added Dr Laidlaw. Lerwick Port Authority added that 'vessels calling at the harbour are required to declare any concerns relating to passenger health' but on this occasion, the authority 'was not notified of any passenger ill-health on board the cruise ship Costa Favolosa '. Shore excursions for passengers in Lerwick were quickly cancelled by local operators when guests showed visible symptoms of a stomach bug. Sonia Robertson, managing director of R. Robertson and Son bus company, said that all island tours were stopped after a guest left a coach to be 'violently sick three times'. 'Something like this could have crippled the whole company and affect a lot of our staff and services,' she added, according to The Times. Almost 3,000 passengers crowded Lerwick's town centre before businesses were made aware that passengers had been taken ill with gastroenteritis on board. Celia Smith, owner of coffee shop Blyde Welcome, told The Shetland Times that locals had 'absolutely no warning' of the gastroenteritis breakout. She said: 'We could've been better prepared, we could've had more sanitiser and some businesses had face masks.' The 290-metre-long Costa Favolosa ship can carry almost 4,000 passengers. Dr Laidlaw advised hand washing and bleach-based cleaning products to help prevent the spread of gastrointestinal infections. Cruise operator Costa Cruises insisted that it had been permitted to dock in Lerwick. The cruise line said in a statement: 'During the May 15-22 cruise on Costa Favolosa, some guests reported mild gastrointestinal symptoms to the ship's medical centre. As a precaution, we immediately implemented enhanced disinfection and sanitation measures.' According to Lerwick Port Authority: 'The Authority has contacted parties involved, and agreed measures which will tighten up procedures ensuring documentation is completed correctly and timeously prior to a port call, to prevent recurrence.'
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Cruise-and-dash Brits who fled ship in Ibiza racked up huge £2,700 bill in less than TWO DAYS from booze and casino fees
The Brits 'stood out like a sore thumb' as they made their escape ABANDON SHIP Cruise-and-dash Brits who fled ship in Ibiza racked up huge £2,700 bill in less than TWO DAYS from booze and casino fees Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRITISH couple arrested after allegedly trying to dodge a four-figure cruise liner extras bill 'did a runner' less than 48 hours into their luxury trip around the Med, the Sun can today reveal. Police said on Friday the pair had been held on suspicion of fraud at Ibiza Airport after 'pushing their way' off the ship when it docked on the holiday island. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A British couple was arrested at Ibiza Airport after allegedly fleeing a cruise without paying a £2.700 bill Credit: Getty 4 The bill reportedly came from alcohol, casino and internet expenses Credit: Alamy 4 Today it emerged they had been on board the Costa Toscana, a Costa Cruises vessel which was only making its second stop after leaving the French port of Marseille two days earlier, when they abandoned ship. And well-placed sources said they were about at the boarding gate of a Ryanair flight to London Stansted when they were taken into custody as new details of the incident began to surface. We can today reveal the EUROS 3,196 (POUNDS 2,685) tab the suspects, a man aged 23 and a woman aged 18, had built up included a bar bill as well as Internet expenditure and extras in the ship's casino. The Costa Toscana, which left Ibiza for Palermo in Sicily without them, docked in Marseille yesterday morning at the end of its seven-day Mediterranean tour. It was not immediately clear today whether the two Brits are still being retained in Ibiza. A spokesman for Costa Cruises, an Italian-owned cruise line whose parent organisation is Carnival Cruise Line, confirmed the arrests but said: 'For privacy reasons, we do not delve into matters concerning individual guests. 'However, any irregularities are promptly reported to the competent authorities, who have the responsibility to intervene directly to take the necessary measures." A spokesman for the National Police in Ibiza, which made the detentions, said last Friday: 'Spanish National Police officers arrested a man aged 23 and a woman aged 18 who are both British as the suspected authors of a crime of fraud for refusing to pay several consumptions during their stay on board a cruiser liner. 'The couple tried to leave the cruise liner in a hurry with their luggage, declining to pay the cost of expenditure linked to their holiday, around 3pm on May 21. "The bill for various items, linked to their room, came to EUROS 3,196 (POUNDS 2,685). Brit woman, 21, rotting in Dubai hellhole jail without a shower for a month after being arrested on drugs charges 'Police called to the scene interviewed crew members who told them the alleged offenders had tried to push their way off the ship in their attempts to abandon the vessel. 'The couple were tracked down in the island airport after detectives launched an operation to find them. 'They were held at 6pm on May 21 as they tried to leave Ibiza.' One well-placed source told the Sun today: 'They were stopped and taken into custody as they tried to board a Ryanair flight to Stansted. 'It was pretty obvious they had decided to bring their holidays to an early end when they cleared their cabin and left the ship with all their luggage. 'They stood out like a sore thumb from all the other holidaymakers who were just getting off the cruise liner for a day trip to Ibiza with small bags.' Another said: 'They were less than 48 hours into their trip when they abandoned the cruise. 'It was only on its second stop when they disappeared 'They missed out on Palermo, Rome and the Italian Riviera." It is not yet known what happened at their court appearance.
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Cruise-and-dash Brits who fled ship in Ibiza racked up huge £2,700 bill in less than TWO DAYS from booze and casino fees
A BRITISH couple arrested after allegedly trying to dodge a four-figure cruise liner extras bill 'did a runner' less than 48 hours into their luxury trip around the Med, the Sun can today reveal. Police said on Friday the pair had been held on suspicion of fraud at Ibiza Airport after 'pushing their way' off the ship when it docked on the holiday island. 4 4 Today it emerged they had been on board the Costa Toscana, a Costa Cruises vessel which was only making its second stop after leaving the French port of Marseille two days earlier, when they abandoned ship. And well-placed sources said they were about at the boarding gate of a Ryanair flight to London Stansted when they were taken into custody as new details of the incident began to surface. We can today reveal the EUROS 3,196 (POUNDS 2,685) tab the suspects, a man aged 23 and a woman aged 18, had built up included a bar bill as well as Internet expenditure and extras in the ship's casino. The Costa Toscana, which left Ibiza for Palermo in Sicily without them, docked in Marseille yesterday morning at the end of its seven-day Mediterranean tour. It was not immediately clear today whether the two Brits are still being retained in Ibiza. A spokesman for Costa Cruises, an Italian-owned cruise line whose parent organisation is Carnival Cruise Line, confirmed the arrests but said: 'For privacy reasons, we do not delve into matters concerning individual guests. 'However, any irregularities are promptly reported to the competent authorities, who have the responsibility to intervene directly to take the necessary measures." A spokesman for the National Police in Ibiza, which made the detentions, said last Friday: 'Spanish National Police officers arrested a man aged 23 and a woman aged 18 who are both British as the suspected authors of a crime of fraud for refusing to pay several consumptions during their stay on board a cruiser liner. 'The couple tried to leave the cruise liner in a hurry with their luggage, declining to pay the cost of expenditure linked to their holiday, around 3pm on May 21. "The bill for various items, linked to their room, came to EUROS 3,196 (POUNDS 2,685). Brit woman, 21, rotting in Dubai hellhole jail without a shower for a month after being arrested on drugs charges 'Police called to the scene interviewed crew members who told them the alleged offenders had tried to push their way off the ship in their attempts to abandon the vessel. 'The couple were tracked down in the island airport after detectives launched an operation to find them. 'They were held at 6pm on May 21 as they tried to leave Ibiza.' One well-placed source told the Sun today: 'They were stopped and taken into custody as they tried to board a Ryanair flight to Stansted. 'It was pretty obvious they had decided to bring their holidays to an early end when they cleared their cabin and left the ship with all their luggage. 'They stood out like a sore thumb from all the other holidaymakers who were just getting off the cruise liner for a day trip to Ibiza with small bags.' Another said: 'They were less than 48 hours into their trip when they abandoned the cruise. 'It was only on its second stop when they disappeared 'They missed out on Palermo, Rome and the Italian Riviera." It is not yet known what happened at their court appearance.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Cruise-and-dash Brits who fled ship in Ibiza racked up huge £2,700 bill in less than TWO DAYS from booze and casino fees
A BRITISH couple arrested after allegedly trying to dodge a four-figure cruise liner extras bill 'did a runner' less than 48 hours into their luxury trip around the Med, the Sun can today reveal. Police said on Friday the pair had been the holiday island. 4 A British couple was arrested at Ibiza Airport after allegedly fleeing a cruise without paying a £2.700 bill Credit: Getty 4 The bill reportedly came from alcohol, casino and internet expenses Credit: Alamy 4 Today it emerged they had been on board the Costa Toscana, a Costa Cruises vessel which was only making its second stop after leaving the French port of Marseille two days earlier, when they abandoned ship. And well-placed sources said they were about at the boarding gate of a Ryanair flight to London Stansted when they were taken into custody as new details of the incident began to surface. We can today reveal the EUROS 3,196 (POUNDS 2,685) tab the suspects, a man aged 23 and a woman aged 18, had built up included a bar bill as well as Internet expenditure and extras in the ship's casino. The Costa Toscana, which left Ibiza for Palermo in Sicily without them, docked in Marseille yesterday morning at the end of its seven-day Mediterranean tour. Read more world news It was not immediately clear today whether the two Brits are still being retained in Ibiza. A spokesman for Costa Cruises, an Italian-owned cruise line whose parent organisation is Carnival Cruise Line, confirmed the arrests but said: 'For privacy reasons, we do not delve into matters concerning individual guests. 'However, any irregularities are promptly reported to the competent authorities, who have the responsibility to intervene directly to take the necessary measures." A spokesman for the National Police in Ibiza, which made the detentions, said last Friday: 'Spanish National Police officers arrested a man aged 23 and a woman aged 18 who are both British as the suspected authors of a crime of fraud for refusing to pay several consumptions during their stay on board a cruiser liner. Most read in The Sun 'The couple tried to leave the cruise liner in a hurry with their luggage, declining to pay the cost of expenditure linked to their holiday, around 3pm on May 21. " The bill for various items, linked to their room, came to EUROS 3,196 (POUNDS 2,685). Brit woman, 21, rotting in Dubai hellhole jail without a shower for a month after being arrested on drugs charges 'Police called to the scene interviewed crew members who told them the alleged offenders had tried to push their way off the ship in their attempts to abandon the vessel. 'The couple were tracked down in the island airport after detectives launched an operation to find them. 'They were held at 6pm on May 21 as they tried to leave Ibiza.' One well-placed source told the Sun today: 'They were stopped and taken into custody as they tried to board a Ryanair flight to Stansted. 'It was pretty obvious they had decided to bring their holidays to an early end when they cleared their cabin and left the ship with all their luggage. 'They stood out like a sore thumb from all the other holidaymakers who were just getting off the cruise liner for a day trip to Ibiza with small bags.' Another said: 'They were less than 48 hours into their trip when they abandoned the cruise. 'It was only on its second stop when they disappeared 'They missed out on Palermo, Rome and the Italian Riviera." It is not yet known what happened at their court appearance. 4 The couple was arrested while trying to board a Ryanair flight to London Stansted Credit: Getty
