A wave of illness has struck the P&O Iona cruise ship, currently sailing off the coast of Belgium, with reports of passengers and crew falling sick en masse.
One guest described the situation to Sky News, saying people are “dropping like flies,” as vomiting and gastrointestinal distress spread through the ship. Some were reportedly sick in restaurants, on decks, and outside cabins.
The ship, carrying over 5,000 passengers and 1,800 crew members, left Southampton on 15 February for a northern Europe cruise with stops in Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Zeebrugge. Many families are aboard due to the half-term break.
P&O Cruises confirmed a number of cases but stressed that fewer than 1% of passengers are affected. The captain made a public announcement addressing the outbreak, assuring guests that containment measures are underway.
Still, some isolated passengers voiced concerns over delays in food delivery, lack of clean linens, and an apparent shortage of medication for symptoms. Guests also noted that the onboard entertainment had been disrupted, with last-minute replacements stepping in for scheduled performers.
P&O responded by stating that medication is available via the ship’s medical centre, and that any guests who miss shore excursions due to illness will receive full refunds.
The company highlighted that gastrointestinal illnesses are common in communal environments and said it is following strict public health protocols to ensure passenger safety.
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