By Ben Hurst From Daily Mirror UK

Susan Clews claims to have developed sore eyes, migraines and difficulty breathing while on board the Thomson Dream cruise liner – she’s now taking legal action

A holidaymaker embarked on a dream Caribbean cruise holiday and ended up on an IV drip, struggling to see.

Susan Clews, 62, is taking legal action after developing sore eyes, migraines and difficulty breathing while on board.

She is one of three separate families are seeking help after claiming to have fallen ill following separate trips on the Thomson Dream cruise ship.

Paul Easton and Susan Clews, from Northfield, was with partner Paul Easton, and travelled around the Caribbean on the Thomson Dream.

She was treated by the ship’s doctor and prescribed antibiotics and eye drops and was placed on an IV drip, reports the Birmingham Mail.

Just before the end of the cruise she suffered blurred vision and as soon as she returned to the UK visited the Birmingham Eye Hospital, where she was told her loss of sight may require surgery and that she was informed that it may be linked to the respiratory illness she suffered.

Mr Easton, 58, said: “Our time on the Thomson Dream was more like a nightmare.

“Susan and I both suffered terrible chest infections and we were absolutely terrified when Susan lost her sight.

“Thankfully, it has started to come back, but she’s been told it could be linked to the illness she suffered and we want to know what caused the illness and the long-term implications it has had for us.”

In separate incidents on the same ship Lesley Withington, from Castleford, West Yorkshire spent New Year’s on the ship and was diagnosed with suspected bacterial pneumonia when she returned to the UK.

Her husband Paul was diagnosed with a chest infection and is undergoing further investigations due to the severity of his continuing symptoms.

Joseph and Linda Pennington travelled on board the ship in January 2016.

Just days into the luxury Caribbean holiday, Joseph, 65, began to suffer with terrible gastric symptoms, including diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps.

Linda also developed a chest infection while on board and was treated by the ship’s doctor.

She was prescribed antibiotics and was placed on an intravenous (IV) drip on several occasions throughout the cruise.

Jayne Murphy, an expert travel illness lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “This is the third time we have been asked to investigate illness on board the Thomson Dream in recent years.

“It is extremely worrying that we have been contacted by three couples who spent time on the ship at different times in the early part of this year

“Understandably, all of them are very upset and angry that their cruises, which were supposed to be enjoyable and luxurious breaks, were ruined when they all fell ill.

“The concerns each of these people have shared with us are very worrying and it is concerning that they also saw others suffering with the same illnesses during their time on board the ship.

“Illnesses can spread very quickly on cruise ships if the correct precautions are not taken and we would like to hear from anyone else who travelled on board the Thomson Dream earlier this year how may be able to help with our enquiries.”

A spokesman for Thomson said: “As this matter is the subject of legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.”

IMAGES:
Susan Clews was treated by the ship’s doctor and prescribed antibiotics

Just days into the luxury holiday, Joseph, began to suffer with terrible gastric symptoms
Susan Clews is taking legal action after developing sore eyes

For more on this story go to: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dream-caribbean-cruise-turns-nightmare-7697860