A PENSIONER is taking legal action against a cruise company after being struck down by a serious illness while on the holiday of a lifetime.

Margaret MacKenzie, 73, paid more than £2,000 to cruise around the Mediterranean for 14 days with company Fred Olsen.

However, she was cabin-bound for four days after contracting the gastric illness, norovirus.

The bug spread through the liner, called the Boudicca, affecting hundreds of passengers and resulting in many facilities being closed.

In addition, it increased its speed so it could return a day early, resulting in widespread seasickness.

Mrs MacKenzie, of Greenways, Maldon, said: “I was struck down by the virus on Christmas Eve, and for four days I had to stay in my cabin.

“The boat stopped at the Canaries, but I was too ill to go ashore.

“We never got any fore-warning we were coming back early, and the boat was going so fast it was rocking from side to side, and people were being sick everywhere.

“I had to have an injection for seasickness and paid £24 for the privilege.”

Mrs MacKenzie was offered £224 compensation, but says it is not enough.

She said: “There was £100 given to everyone, regardless of whether you were ill or not, because there were no services.

“But we had to spend it on board. There was one duty free shop and it was a free-for-all.

“The roulette was closed, the dining room was always half empty and there was just no atmosphere.

“We were also given £124 for coming back a day early.

“It was absolute chaos.”

Mrs MacKenzie says she does still not feel right and is waiting on the results of a blood test.

Wendy Hooper-Greenhill, public relations manager for Fred Olsen, said: “Every precaution possible is taken to prevent any gastro-type virus coming on board, from asking passengers to complete a medical questionnaire before embarking, to using sanitising gel every time they board the ship, or enter any eating area.

“The effectiveness of all these precautions is only as good as the co-operation of the people concerned.

“The Christmas and New Year cruise on Boudicca was ended one day earlier than scheduled, to allow for a thorough cleansing and disinfecting programme to be carried out over three days.”

Clive Garner, head of travel litigation for solicitor Irwin Mitchell, acting on behalf of more than 30 passengers, said: “We urge a thorough and speedy review of hygiene procedures on board all the ships in the Fred Olsen fleet.”