Source: Cruise Junkie dot Com


Events at Sea by P&O Cruises

Illness Outbreaks at Sea by P&O Cruises

The events listed have been reported in the public domain or to cruisejunkie by passengers or crew members onboard.  The list is by no means comprehensive.  For that reason it is necessary to be cautious in drawing conclusions from the potentially limited data.  Keep in mind that some companies may be more transparent than others about things that go wrong; conversely, some companies may be better at concealing events and thereby project an appearance that is inaccurate.  With that said, the following list is still interesting, as are the patterns seen viewed separately by ship.





dd/mm/yy
Ship
2008
Incident
7.7.08
Aurora
From a passenger: The captain has just announced that due to problems with one of the propulsion units the ship will be 12 hours late arriving at Reykjavik. The port call at the next Icelandic, Akureyri has been cancelled and pax will be given further info regarding  future ports after the unit has been inspected by experts who are being flown to Iceland to try and sort out the problem. The ship is at present sailing out from Nuuk in Greenland at around 16 knots and expects to be in Reykjavik by 8pm Thursday. UPDATE July 12:  The problem has been solved by the experts flown out to us. We are now running on both engines.We will be missing our stop at Alesund (Norway) but due to popular demand Akureyri has been reinstated. As a goodwill gesture P & O has given a £100 per person credit to cabin accounts.
Propulsion problems
7.7.08
Arcadia
It has been reported that the ship is experiencing engine problems and running slower than normal. Port arrival times have been altered but no ports have been dropped.
Engine problems
27.5.08
Ventura
The 3,000-passenger ship was turned away from La Rochelle after striking port authority employees blockaded the road in and out of the port. A scheduled call in Brest May 28 was also disrupted by shipyard workers who formed picket lines and burned tyres and wooden palettes on all routes out of the port and into town.
Canceled port call
11.3.08
Artemis The ship left Southampton for the Caribbean on March 10 but was forced to detour to Falmouth for repairs after suffering damage to the anchor stowage area on the bow in stormy weather. The damage does not affect safety but repairs were needed before the ship headed across the Atlantic. The ship should be ready to leave Falmouth March 12.
Storm damage
28.1.08
Oceana A passenger was gunned down after docking on Venezuela’s paradise island of Margarita aboard the ship. According to The Sun, the 53 year old man was  buying a cold drink as his wife popped into a shop when the mugger thrust a pistol in his chest and demanded his cherished £10,000 Rolex watch. He ignored him, turned away – and was shot. As he collapsed with blood pouring from his wound, the gunman fired two more bullets which narrowly missed him. The attacker then pistol-whipped him around the head before grabbing the 18-carat gold watch. Amazingly, the bullet had missed the man’s heart by millimetres and passed straight through his body with only minor damage. He returned to the ship after a hospital visit and continued on the cruise (although he refused to leave the ship the remainder of the 14 day cruise).
Passenger shot on shore
4.1.08
Oriana A passenger writes that after departing Madeira for Southampton on the homeward journey the ship experienced a force 10 storm wich lasted for at least 12 hours.  It was difficult  to remain in bed during the night due to the pitching and rolling. On comparing notes with other passengers in the morning (walking wounded) many experienced cuts and bruises - but the main thing that emerged was how terriyfying the whole experience had been and people were amazed how a ship the size of the Oriana had been so badly buffetted.  Bizzarely, when we received the 'captain's log' of the journey on the final day of the cruise there was absolutely no mention of the force 10, nor about the fact that we had a loss of all electrics (no engines, toilets, lifts, etc) for about an hour mid Atlantic when we just drifted, on the outward journey. The ship was on a 21 day cruise from/to London which crossed the Atlantic to BVI and returned from Barbados via Madeira.
Extremely high seas
dd/mm/yy
Ship
2007
Incident
13.11.07
Artemis
A passenger on board the ship contacted the BBC to say the vessel was not allowed to land passengers in Tripoli on Tuesday morning for a planned day trip. A P&O spokeswoman said the vessel was heading to its next destination, Malta, earlier than scheduled. Cruise passengers and others have been  denied entry into the country since November 11, even if they have valid visas.
Cancelled port call
12.11.07
Aurora
A British newspaper reports that a 30 year old Indian waiter has been jailed for sexual assault of a 14 year old girl on a Mediterranean cruise. The court heard how the waiter, who befriended the girl while serving her family's table in the dining room, had persuaded the girl to follow him while she was waiting for a friend outside the restaurant one evening.  He led her around the ship to a toilet cubicle, locked the door and sexually assaulted her. He was sentenced to 15 months.
Child sexual assault
30.9.07
Oceana A 67 year old woman died after going missing overboard on a 2 night cruise from Southampton to Zeebrugge return.  Her husband reports that she was last seen at 5:45 AM; police were notified at 7AM.  The ship was approaching Southampton when she went missing -- he body was recovered at Thrne Channel in the Solent near Cowes (Isle of Wight).
Person overboard -- Body recovered
13.8.07
Oriana Whilst in Corfu the ship's crew carried out an exercise that involved lowering a ships tender with 5 crew members onboard.  When winching the tender back up, the lifting eye broke and the tender swung down breaking the other eye and plunged into the water. One crew member was rushed to hospital with severe crush injuries (spleen etc.) and 3 others were treated in the ship's medical centre.  Efforts to lift the striken tender back on to the bow of the Oriana failed so it was in Corfu. Crew accident
7.5.07
Oceana Controversy is brewing in the UK over the ship's rescue on May 3 of even Algerians from a small boat off the Balearic Islands.  Despite the rescue, one man died; six suvivors were landed at Southampton where the ship ended its cruise, though it had an intermediate stop at Gibraltar.  The British Home Office said people rescued at sea should be disembarked at the nearest place of safety (in this case Gibraltar).  The men's eligibility for admission to the UK is being considered in line with immigration rules.  See BBC News online for more.
Rescue controversy
29.3.07
Aurora A Japanese man snuck onboard for a free one-week voyage before being caught in Hawaii, police said Thursday. Osamu Ikegame, 40, said he could not stop himself when he saw the Aurora docked in Yokohama and climbed a 2.5-metre (eight-foot) fence at the harbour, according to police. He then successfully blended in with passengers and boarded the round-the-world cruise on March 20, said a spokesman for harbour police in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. The free ride ended in Hawaii after the cruise operator found out he had no ticket.  So much for ship security!!!
Security Breach
5.3.07
Aurora
The ship said it would likely cancel future calls at Nha Trang (Vietnam) because the 50 m high ship was not permitted to pass through the the Vinpearl cable car system  (which had a 49 m limit).  Nha Trang authorities said the requirement aimed to guarantee safety for ships and the cable car system, which only began operation last month.  The ship, instead, was forced to dock outside the port and to transfer passengers to oter ships before they could disembark.  The ship fears its passengers would face difficulty as a result of the required transfer.
Port dropped?
13.1.07
Artemis Currently half way through her 80 night African & Asian Odyssey cruise, the ship has canceled today's call at Laem Chabang (for Bangkok) in Thailand, ‘following advice received from our security services relating to the security situation in Bangkok.’In place of the Laem Chabang calls and ‘as a gesture of compensation’ stops at Singapore and Vung Tau (Phu My) have been extended to two days.
Cancelation for security
dd/mm/yy
Ship
2006
Incident
24.10.06
Arcadia
Encountered rough seas which caused several passengers being injured, at least one medevac from Ponta Delgado (Azores).  Next port of call is Antigua on 29 October.  Several passengers onboard with severe bruising from falls etc.  October 25:  Arcadia is having a bad day today too.  The fire alarms are going off all the time.  Captain is investigating the cause, as yet unknown.. High Seas / Injuries
1.4.06
Artemis (1)
The transatlantic crossing from Southampton to the Caribbean was, according to one passenger, had been the worst 9 days at sea thay had ever had.  The Atlantic was rough - waves splashing  up to top deck, gale force winds, and televisions flying everywhere.  They said they were very scared. The ship wasn't able to get into port for the Azores due to the  weather so today was their first day in port. The Gastro bug has also struck and only the dining room is open to everyone. Toilets and other rooms have been closed off. Rough Seas
dd/mm/yy
Ship
2005
Incident
12.1.05
Aurora
Since limping back to port on Sunday at the end of the previous cruise the ship has remained in Southampton rather than embarking on its 103-day round-the-world cruise.  Repairs were undertaken and there is hope the ship would depart by Tuesday of the following week.  It departed on Wednesday but engine problems returned.  The cruise was canceled.
Propulsion problems

Cancelation
dd/mm/yy
Ship
2004
Incident
28.1.04
Oceana (2)
The U.S. Coast Guard ordered the ship out of St. Thomas harbour on Tuesday morning after it failed to provide a list of names and citizenship of its 2870 passengers and crew. Tenders filled with passengers were sent back to the ship.  The ship continued to its next port: Antigua
Cancelled port call
dd/mm/yy
Ship
2003 and earlier
Incident
25.9.03
Oceana
Nine passengers' hair turned green after using the onboard swimming pool.  The cause is not known, but as a "gesture of goodwill, the passengers were referred to the ship's beauty salon for corrective treatment.

12.3.03 Oriana
While crossing the North Pacific an auxilliary engine failed, causing the other three engines to stop.  Ship drifted for two hours and proceeded at reduced speed after it was restored.  Arrived in San Francisco two days later only slightly later than scheduled. Engine failure
28.9.00
Oriana
The ship was hit by a 40 foot wave which smashed through six cabins as she sailed from Southampton to New York.  Passengers wand crew were hit by flying class, but none seriously injured.  Arrival in New York will be delayed.  See: Report on the Investigation of Wave Damage to the Passenger Cruise Ship Oriana in the North Atlantic Ocean on 28 September 2000, Marine Accident Investigation Branch Report 36/2002 Weather
2.5.00
Aurora
The ship had to return to Southampton one day into her mainden voyage and abandon a two week Mediterranean cruise.  The problem was an overheating propeller bearing.
Engine problems - Cancelation
24.4.98
Victoria
(3)
A 77 year old British man was reported missing by his wife.  The man has been seen at 11 PM when the couple went to bed byrt was not there when she awoke at 6AM.
Missing

(1) Artemis: ex-Royal Princess
(2) Oceana: ex-Ocean Princess
(3) Victoria: ex-Klugshom  (Swedish Aermica Line), ex-Sea Princess (Princess); now sails as Mona Lisa (Holiday Kreuzfarten)




Illness Outbreaks at Sea by P&O

dd/mm/yy
Ship
Reported Illness Outbreaks
6.6.08
Ventura
The Telegraph in London reports "passengers on the £300million cruise ship Ventura have been struck down by an outbreak of the potentially lethal norovirus."  The newspaper quotes a P&O spokesperson as saying, "There has been an increased incidence of a gastrointestinal illness among the passengers on Ventura over the last three days ...  "Enhanced sanitation protocols have already been implemented to help minimize transmission to other passengers. The captain is regularly updating the passengers and crew on the situation. Unwell passengers are asked to comply with the doctor's instructions and isolate themselves in their stateroom until non-contagious. "They have been asked not to proceed ashore, and any shore excursion costs are refunded. Room service is provided to affected passengers and every effort is made to make them as comfortable as possible." The latest cruise left Southampton last Friday and is due to call next at Cannes in France and then Rome. It is due back in Britain June 13 after further visits to Corsica and Gibraltar.
9.4.08
Aurora
The Hong Kong Information Services Department reports that the Centre for Health Protection is following up on a British report concerning four cases of hepatitis-E infection involving four men on the world cruise which took place January 7 to March 28. The UK Health Protection Agency has been working with the cruise operator and port health authority to distribute health advice to all passengers. People who have been aboard the vessel should seek medical advice if they come down with hepatitis symptoms. Hepatitis-E is a viral infection highly endemic in Central and Southeast Asia, and North and West Africa, as well as Mexico. It is acquired by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Its incubation period ranges two weeks to two months. Symptoms include fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine and jaundice. UPDATE APRIL 30: The BBC reports the number reported coming down with Hepatitis E is now confirmed at 7.
22.9.07
Aurora More than a dozen passengers were told not to disembark in Halifax while Canadian officials investigated a possible outbreak of Norovirus.  Health Canada officials took tests of about 20 people suffering from acute gastroenteritis.  There have been no subsequent updates.
26.10.06
Oriana
From a reader:  The current 13 night Mediterranean cruise from Southampton to various ports and back to Southampton (October 19 - November 1) has been hit by the norovirus bug. This has been reported on the cruise connections website of P&O where passengers on the cruise have reported this, and I have friends on board and have spoken to them. All reports state that the crew have dealt with the outbreak in excellent fashion but various things like the buffets and BarBQ's have been curtailed.
1.4.06
Artemis
The transatlantic crossing from Southampton to the Caribbean was, according to one passenger, had been the worst 9 days at sea thay had ever had.  The Atlantic was rough - waves splashing  up to top deck, gale force winds, and televisions flying everywhere.  They said they were very scared. The ship wasn't able to get into port for the Azores due to the  weather so today was their first day in port. The Gastro bug has also struck and only the dining room is open to everyone. Toilets and other rooms have been closed off.
18.1.06
Oriana
There are reports of a norovirus outbreak on the current cruise which began January 8.  The ship is embarked on a world cruise.
27.5.05
Oceana
According to the British media, about 200 passengers (10%) on the ship have reported being ill from norovirous. The ship left Southampton on a 17-night Mediterranean cruise on May 19 and returns June 5.
4.3.04
Oriana
The ship left Barbados February 20 and is due to arrive in New Orleans on March 5.  As of March 3rd, the ship reported that 65 passengers and 9 crew members had reported illness likely caused by Norovirus
31.10.03
Aurora
Around 580 passengers and 28 crew infected with Norwalk-like virus on this cruise that begin in Southampton on October 20.  The ship was refused permission to dock in Greece.  It stopped in Gibraltar November 3rd.  Cruise ended in Southampton November 6.
25.9.03
Oceana
95 passengers were struck by a minor gastro-intestinal illness during the voyage.  The source is unknown.
10.12.02
Oceana
The ship was denied access to St. Maarten after it was reported that 269 passengers and 24 crew had contracted Norwalk-like virus.  The two week cruise began November 29 at Fort Lauderdale.  (Note: The ship received a score of 95 in its VSP inspection on the day the cruise began.)
20.2 - 14.3.01
Oriana
51 passengers (3.02%) and 36 crew members (4.42%) reported ill.