Norovirus on Celebrity Cruises' ship Constellation

Jason · November 7, 2012

A cruise ship delayed its departure from Southampton after a suspected outbreak of norovirus on board.

Celebrity Cruises' vessel Constellation arrived in the city's port at 06:00 GMT at the end of a 12-night cruise.

Southampton's Port Health Authority said about 350 passengers had fallen ill with the vomiting and diarrhea bug.

Its departure was delayed until 20:00 while deep cleaning took place.

The authority's Rosie Zambra confirmed it was informed of "concerns over an increased levels of what appeared to be norovirus" several days before the ship's arrival.

'Bad sanitation'

About 2,200 and 900 crew had been on a wine cruise around the coasts of France and Spain.

A representative of the health authority has since been onboard and verified the affected cabins and public areas had been deep cleaned.

Passenger David Mattey said his holiday had been "completely ruined" when he went down with severe vomiting and diarrhoea.

He said: "The sanitation on that ship is bad."

A statement from Celebrity Cruises said the crew was conducting "extra cleaning and sanitizing on board the ship and within the cruise terminal as preventative measures."

It added its hygiene procedures on board were "comprehensive and always strictly adhered to".

By BBC News

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DebbieandJerry · November 7, 2012

It's a shame when people get sick on their vacation. I cannot believe that Celebrity had bad sanitation. Doesn't sound like their standard of practice. A virus like this is highly spreadable and it is very difficult to put a handle on it when folks are so sick.

Our Celebrity sailing out of San Diego to Hawaii was delayed because the ship underwent a huge deep cleaning. And the first few days at sea we had rooms blocked off, common things we were not permitted to touch (salt and pepper shakers), etc. Celebrity went out of their way so an article like this just doesn't sound like Celebrity.

CenShip · November 8, 2012

It dosen't. Passenger David is expressing an opinen and not fact. He was obviously not feeling himself. I understand his disappointment that his vacation did not go well for him, I would be upset also, but blaming the crew is not really reasonable.

DebbieandJerry · November 8, 2012

You are so right. He was expressing his opinion.

I think that the general public will only remember reading somewhere that the ship was filthy. Sensationalism sells.

jacketwatch · December 6, 2012

We were on the Connie last yr. when the nv hit it. The crew went to extraordinary measures to insure proper sanitation. It's not their fault, just bad luck.