ARCADIA

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Passenger died of norovirus three weeks after disembarkation

A norovirus outbreak aboard the 'Arcadia' in fall 2024, which left dozens of passengers confined to their cabins, is now being linked to the death of a 77-year-old British passenger. Alan Forster, a retired teacher from Paignton, England, fell ill with norovirus two weeks into his monthlong trip with his wife, and later died of suspected kidney failure. In December the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported three separate outbreaks of norovirus affecting hundreds of passengers aboard other cruise ships. The 'Arcadia', in particular, had left Southampton on Sep 3 and made stops in New York, Boston, Halifax and Nova Scotia. However, the ship faced an outbreak of a highly contagious stomach virus that causes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain. 128 of the 1,959 passengers on board experienced symptoms between Sep 3 and Oct 3. Forster collapsed a week after reporting symptoms and was placed on a drip in the ship's medical bay. No further treatment was administered until the ship docked in St. John's, where Forster was hospitalized due to his deteriorating condition and kidney failure. Jatinder Paul, the family's lawyer, called Mr Forster's rapid decline deeply concerning and stressed the importance of investigating possible failings on board the ship and delays in accessing appropriate care. P&O Cruises expressed its condolences to the family and said it had launched an investigation. A preliminary review indicated that when medical staff were informed of Mr Forster's deteriorating health, care was initiated and specialist review and support was facilitated at a coastal hospital. The company would respond as appropriate to the lawyers once the investigation has been completed.

Dozens of people suffering from gastrointestinal illness

Dozens of passengers and crew members aboard the 'Arcadia' came down sick with a gastrointestinal illness. They reported symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasn’t yet confirmed it to be norovirus. The ship ship is on a transatlantic round-trip cruise from Southampton, UK, on Sep 3, 2024, to the US. and Canada. The CDC came aboard the ship when in docked in New York on Sep 18 to assess the situation. Upon embarkation all guests were provided with an advisory notice with precautionary health measures for onboard and onshore by P&O Cruises. The cruise line also made announcements to notify passengers and crew of the outbreak.

Medevac off Punta Europa

A British passenger had to be medevaced from the 'Arcadia', en route from Lisbon to Malaga, on Dec 13, 2023, after suffering injuries seven nautical miles east of Punta Europa. The CCS Tarifa of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the SAR helicopter Helimer 223, which hoisted the patient and transported him to the Jerez airport for furhter transfer to a hospital for medical care on a higher level.