LAWYERS say they have been contacted by dozens of passengers who became unwell on a Southampton cruise ship, Balmoral.

Legal firm Irwin Mitchell have heard first-hand accounts of the issues on board the Fred Olsen vessel’s voyage from Southampton to the Norwegian Fjords, which began on May 3, but was cut short by a day after passengers were reportedly affected by gastrointestinal illness.

Fred Olsen subsequently confirmed that the Balmoral returned to Southampton a day early to be cleaned and sanitised ahead of its next voyage.

After being instructed by a growing number of Balmoral passengers who continue to suffer, Irwin Mitchell’s specialist travel lawyers began their own investigations into the suspected outbreak.

Irwin Mitchell represented passengers affected by similar problems on Fred Olsen’s Boudicca cruise ships in 2012 and 2013.

Amandeep Dhillon, a partner at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Having been asked to help dozens of people affected by problems on board the Balmoral earlier this month, we are continuing to investigate the circumstances to determine the cause of our clients’ illnesses.

“What is apparent is that many of those affected are continuing to either suffer on-going symptoms, or continue to feel the after effects of the illnesses they have experienced.

“Our clients’ experiences highlight how gastric illnesses contracted during cruises can often have a long-term impact on victims and why it is so important that every effort is made to learn lessons from outbreaks like this. Our investigations are underway but we remain very keen to hear from anyone else affected and who may be able to help us further with information regarding the outbreak of illness and the circumstances giving rise to it.”

Among the latest passengers to ask Irwin Mitchell for help are Richard and Diane Early, a retired couple from West Sussex, who were on board the affected cruise.

Richard, 68, and Diane, 67, were struck by symptoms including diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain only a few days into the trip.

Mr Early said: “It was just awful, I was so ill that I had to seek medical attention from the medical staff on board the ship, no one actually came to see us and we were only contacted by telephone.

“The illness completely ruined what was supposed to be a relaxing holiday. I was ill before Diane. Diane was concerned that she could be struck down with the illness at any moment, unfortunately, she suffered soon after me.”

Fred Olsen was unavailable for comment.