Who’s to blame for the cruise ship viruses?

AS SOMEONE who has cruised a lot with different cruise lines, one thing is apparent. They’re at sea 24/7. Typical stopovers are eightto-12 hours in port, to allow for connecting flights or even from so-called ‘home ports’ here such as Tilbury or Southampton.

Sure, cabins are cleaned, but the ship itself is seldom cleansed from stem to stern.

The cruise industry is massive and appeals to all. It’s great to wake up in a different country each day without having to unpack. All cruise ships should be required to have a stay-over in port for 24 hours, to allow for the highest standards of passenger safety, health and hygiene before the next voyage.

roy Johnstone, leighton Buzzard, Beds. i WAS on the Balmoral as it sailed to Norway, was affected by the stomach virus (mail) and confined to my cabin, but i have nothing but praise for the captain and crew while despairing at the selfishness of some of my fellow passengers. They brought the virus on board and ensured its rapid spread. it was apparent before we boarded that the crew were aware of the possibility of such a virus and its effects in a contained environment. Passengers affected refused to stay in their cabins and insisted on going on coach trips where they continued to spread the virus. medical care was exemplary and the cabin and catering staff remained attentive.

BARRY CRAWFORD, Great notley, essex. DON’T pin the blame on the cruise ship owners for the outbreak of a stomach bug. On one cruise I was on, there was a small outbreak of an unconfirmed bug but people still left the toilets without washing their hands.

On British ships, there are bottles of hand cleanser on display but many fail to use them. On the American ships, staff spray your hands when you go in to eat. I saw one passenger called back for trying to dodge it.

mrs l. Bater, address supplied. HAVING sailed on the Balmoral and other cruise ships it comes as no surprise to my wife and i at the latest outbreak of another stomach bug. We have found that the cruise companies have always been diligent with hygiene providing hand sanitising stations at all food outlets, but what has surprised us is the number of people who just pass by and do not use them.

STEPHEN ROBERTS, Wakefield, yorks.