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'Curse of Camilla' cruise ship struck by winter vomiting bug
Last updated at 10:37am on 31.12.07
Handrails are wiped with anti-bacterial liquid
Not only was the Queen Victoria the first such vessel to be named by a non monarch - the Duchess of Cornwall - but the champagne bounced off the bow during the ceremony.
Three weeks later, the "Curse of Camilla" seems to have stuck as the luxury liner has been hit by a highly-contagious stomach flu bug.
Nearly 80 passengers on the £300million ship have become victims of the virus, which causes severe vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea.
Jean Trainor, 49, from Blackburn, described seeing one of those suffering from Norovirus, the "winter sickness bug", collapse as she ate in one of the ship's restaurants. She said: 'Paramedics wearing masks rushed to the scene.
"The woman was taken away in a wheelchair, the table was covered up and the area was immediately sealed off.
"It was like a police crime scene. Everyone I've spoken to is p***** off, including the crew, because they're having to put up with all the guests moaning."
Historically the "Cunard Queens" have been named by a monarch.
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The Queen Victoria in port in Lanzarote
Passengers are given handwash as they leave the ship
But the Queen Victoria was launched earlier this month by Camilla, in a ceremony which saw the champagne bottle fail to smash against the bow of the 90,000-ton ship - which is regarded in maritime circles as bad luck.
The five- star liner's 3,000 passengers - who include former Formula 1 motor racing champion Sir Jackie Stewart - paid between £1,100 and £24,400 each for the 'Festive Celebration' cruise to the Canary Islands, only the ship's second voyage.
Yesterday, as the liner docked at Las Palmas in the Canaries, 24 passengers and one crew member were still suffering from the virus.
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A concerned passenger waits for instructions in her cabin as paramedics take control of the ship
Camilla at the launch of the Queen Victoria alongside Captain Paul Wright earlier this month
Passengers are belatedly given handwash
In total 78 on board have been hit by the bug. Cunard said the virus was probably brought on board by passengers when they began the 16-night cruise at Southampton on December 21.
A spokesman said: "Those who have been infected have been confined to their rooms until they are better to prevent a spread of the infection."
Almost two million people in Britain have been struck down by the Norovirus this year - more than double the number of cases last year, according to official estimates.
Just under a year ago more than 300 passengers and crew on the QE2 were struck by the bug on a cruise to New York.
Paramedics attend one of the ship's restaurants after a female passenger collapsed at her table
Passengers complained that hygiene standards on the ship following the outbreak were 'appalling'
A passenger leaves the Queen Victoria. Many now plan to sue for compensation
Reader views (6)
All cruise ships get bugs from time to time. It is inevitable when a lot of people are together in a confined space. Doubtless a pasenger /passengers took it onboard in the first place. This virus only lasts a short time so people just like to make a fuss about nothing. As for compensation who do we blame on dry land?
- Brenda Champion, Basingstoke UK
My family and I have been sick days and we haven't been near this ship, just obviously a serious bug thats been going around!
- Julie, Essex
The nonsense that people come out with just because they don't like someone never ceases to amaze me. People make their own luck, for one. But sensible personal precautions would have forced the Camilla-bashers to find something else to blame on her.
- Rogan, DFW
The old compensation bug always comes to the fore. On a recent cruise from Singapore to Sydney on the Diamond Princess ( with Paul Wright as Captain) after an outbreak of virus we all faithfully used the hand lotion provided which solved the problem Then again most on the Diamond Princess were Australians who are not noted for whinging or going for a free quid.
- Sydney Lawrence, Brisbane. Australia
Pish posh to all the "curse of the unbroken bottle" nonsense. That kind of supertitious clap trap has no bearing in reality, and your sane readers are well aware of it.
- Brian, Arl
While I have every sympathy for the poor passengers, I must say it seems a fitting tribute to Camilla that the champagne bottle didn't want to break and that the liner she christened had a vomiting and diarrhoea attack.
- Bobby Masters, Cheshire
