Dad dies after falling ill with norovirus on cruise ship holiday as 100 more passengers affected by horror outbreak

A dad died after falling ill with norovirus on a cruise ship holiday - as 100 more passengers were also affected by the horror outbreak.

Alan Forster, 77, died from a suspected kidney failure after coming down with the gastric illness.

The dad-of-two and his wife Dianna, from Devon, were two weeks into their month-long trip aboard the P&O Arcadia Cruise when he began to experience diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting.

When the ship, which had originally set off from Southampton, reached the Port of Saint John, Canada, Alan was transferred to hospital, where he tragically passed in September last year.

The retired teacher was one of 100 passengers to contract the illness, The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has since confirmed - with many quarantined to their cabins.

Dianna, 79, who had been married to Alan for 54 years, said: "Alan was the most loving husband and dad.

"We were looking forward to many more years together but that's been taken away in the cruellest of ways.

"We couldn't wait to board the Arcadia and start our holiday.
"We'd been on 47 cruises before and had planned more for the future.

"It's less than two months since we lost him and every day since then has been filled with grief and pain."

The heartbroken mum added that she was holding herself responsible for Alan's death, saying: "I still can't - and don't want to - accept my beloved husband is gone.

"It was me who wanted to go on the cruise.

"I blame myself. If it wasn't for me, he'd still be here."

Recalling the events leading up to the cruise, Diane went on: "Alan was in good spirits and health before the cruise.

"Alan is not one to normally complain, so when he said he felt unwell I knew something was very wrong and it was more than just an upset stomach.