‘It was a nightmare we’ll never forget’: British couple describe cruise from hell after both were struck by stomach virus and confined to their cabins for days during two-week ‘once in a lifetime’ Arctic trip

A retired couple have told how their ‘once in a lifetime’ wedding anniversary cruise turned into holiday hell when they both fell ill.

Roy Lanceley, 71, and wife Christine, 69, were struck by vomiting and diarrhea just days into their two-week North Pole cruise.

They were so ill that they were confined to their cabin for six days aboard the Ambassador Ambition, operated by Ambassador Travel, and required treatment from the ship’s doctor, who provided medication, including injections for illnesses.

And when they got home, Christine was diagnosed with gout due to severe pain in her right foot caused by dehydration from contracting suspected norovirus.

The couple, from Greasby, Wirral, have now taken legal action.

Roy, a former quality controller, said: ‘Our dream holiday was completely ruined. It was intended as a celebration of 47 years together.

“Instead, it was a nightmare we will never forget for all the wrong reasons.”

The couple left Liverpool on July 25 last year, but Roy started feeling unwell just two days into dinner.

He had to run to the hut because he was sick and lost consciousness for a while before continuing to suffer from illness and diarrhea for the next four days.

The doctor on board gave Roy treatment to help with hydration and told him to avoid dairy products.

As he began to improve on the fourth day, Christine became ill with the same symptoms and found herself drifting in and out of consciousness.

Christine, a retired teaching assistant with previous health problems including diabetes, COPD, sleep apnea and arthritis, was given medication and injections for illness.

When she got home, she was still sick and consulted her doctor, who told her she had norovirus.

The couple believe other passengers were quarantined at the same time and that many of the facilities on board the ship were closed from the start of the cruise, with no explanation given.

Roy added: ‘We had our doubts from the start. Everything was closed, from the pool and spa to the bar and gym, without any explanation.

‘We had received an email late on July 24 informing us of a delay in boarding due to ‘operational issues’.

‘It was only after we had left that passengers who had boarded in Belfast told us that these ‘operational issues’ were in fact a clean-up.’

Roy said the couple were told fellow passengers had to disembark on the morning of July 25 and spend the day on shore in Liverpool, leading to a four-hour delay.

He added: ‘Ambassador Travel’s official response came via a letter posted under our cabin door on July 28, informing us of the bug on board and the hygiene rules to be adhered to by all passengers.

‘The public areas of the ship were continuously disinfected with very strong bleach throughout the cruise and since they knew there was a bug going around, we believe this cruise should have been canceled before it started.

‘We have never felt so sick and feel lucky to have come out unscathed.

‘It’s not the memory we expected to take with us after paying for a cruise to see the North Cape and the Land of the Midnight Sun.

“Nothing can change the nightmare we have lived through, but lessons must be learned from this mess.”

The couple has commissioned lawyers from Irwin Mitchell to investigate their illness and help them get answers about how they became so ill.

Nadhia Akhtar, the specialist international serious injury lawyer representing the couple, said: ‘The details provided by Roy and Christine about their cruise experience are concerning.

‘Their cases highlight how serious stomach illnesses can be, especially on board ship, and should never be downplayed.

‘Such incidents, as in this case, can involve being locked in a hut and missing out on what was meant to be the experience of a lifetime.

‘We are doing everything we can to give Roy and Christine the answers they deserve.

‘If any issues are uncovered during our investigation, it is vital that lessons are learned to reduce risks for future travellers.

“We would like to speak to others who have experienced a similar illness on this ship so that they can assist us in our investigation.”

A spokesperson for Ambassador Travel said: ‘We acknowledge that a formal complaint has been made by Mr and Mrs Lanceley.

“As this is now the subject of a formal legal process, it is not appropriate for Ambassador Cruise Line to comment at this stage.”