Holiday Lawyers instructed by passenger following Shigella infection on TUI river cruise

Holiday Lawyers • August 25, 2026

Holiday Lawyers has been instructed to investigate a claim on behalf of a passenger who became seriously unwell with a confirmed Shigella infection during an all inclusive TUI river cruise in January 2026.


Our client developed gastrointestinal symptoms while travelling and subsequently sought medical assistance. She has supporting evidence from her GP together with laboratory test results confirming that she contracted Shigella.


Despite this medical evidence, TUI has so far declined to accept responsibility for the illness.


What is Shigella?


Shigella is a highly infectious bacterial infection affecting the digestive system. The illness it causes is known as shigellosis or bacillary dysentery.


According to the UK Health Security Agency, symptoms can include:


  • Diarrhoea, which may contain blood
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Loss of appetite


Symptoms commonly begin between one and three days after exposure, although it can take up to a week for a person to become unwell. While many people recover within several days, the illness can last for up to two weeks and some patients require hospital treatment.


Shigella is not simply another name for food poisoning. It is a specific bacterial infection which can be transmitted through contaminated food or water, contact with contaminated surfaces or direct person to person transmission. Only a very small quantity of the bacteria is required to cause infection.


Illness aboard cruise ships and river cruises


Cruise holidays can present particular infection control challenges because large numbers of passengers and crew share dining facilities, toilets, communal areas and frequently touched surfaces.


Where appropriate hygiene and infection control procedures are not followed, an infectious organism may spread rapidly. Important measures can include:


  • Effective handwashing facilities
  • Proper cleaning and disinfection of communal areas
  • Safe food preparation and storage
  • Appropriate management of drinking water
  • Prompt isolation of passengers or crew displaying symptoms
  • Accurate recording and reporting of illness
  • Enhanced cleaning following reports of gastrointestinal symptoms


An individual case must always be investigated on its own evidence. Relevant material may include medical records, laboratory results, the timing of symptoms, food and excursion histories, hygiene documentation and evidence of similar illness among other passengers or crew.


TUI has denied responsibility


Our client initially approached TUI directly but was unable to resolve the matter. She also sought assistance from her travel insurer and ABTA before instructing Holiday Lawyers.


We are now investigating the circumstances in which she became infected, the hygiene and infection control arrangements operating during the cruise and whether other passengers experienced similar symptoms.


TUI’s present refusal to accept responsibility does not determine whether a viable legal claim exists. Tour operators frequently dispute holiday illness claims at an early stage, even where a passenger has clear medical evidence confirming the organism responsible.


Where a cruise forms part of a package holiday, the tour operator may be legally responsible for the proper performance of the travel services included within the package under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.


“Laboratory confirmation is important evidence”


Aman Dhillon, Founder of Holiday Lawyers and a specialist international travel lawyer, said:


“We have been instructed by a passenger who has laboratory evidence confirming that she contracted Shigella following illness during an all inclusive TUI river cruise.


“Shigella can cause a severe and extremely unpleasant illness. It is also highly infectious and can be transmitted through contaminated food or water, contaminated surfaces or person to person contact.


“The fact that a tour operator has declined to accept responsibility does not bring the matter to an end. We will now investigate the evidence surrounding the infection, the hygiene arrangements aboard the cruise and whether there were reports of illness affecting any other passengers.”


Aman has acted for thousands of clients affected by illness abroad and has recovered millions of pounds in damages on their behalf.


Unlike volume law firms, Holiday Lawyers is a specialist practice focused on helping people who have become seriously unwell while on holiday. Every case receives specialist attention and Aman remains personally involved in the strategic and technical conduct of each claim.


Were you ill on the same TUI river cruise?


Holiday Lawyers would like to hear from anyone who travelled on a TUI river cruise in January 2026 and developed diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fever or other gastrointestinal symptoms.


Evidence from other passengers may help establish whether there was a wider pattern of illness aboard the vessel.

If you became unwell during or following a TUI cruise, contact Holiday Lawyers for a free initial assessment. We may be able to investigate your case under a no win, no fee agreement.


Contact Holiday Lawyers today to discuss your potential holiday illness claim.

By Holiday Lawyers • September 30, 2026
HolidayLawyers has been instructed by a family who say they were forced to flee for their lives after a wildfire reached their resort on the Croatian island of Brač. The family were staying at the Gava Waterman Milna Resort as part of a Jet2Holidays package between 8 and 15 September 2026. They say wildfires had been visible in the area for several days but guests were repeatedly reassured there was no cause for concern. On the evening of 12 September, however, the situation deteriorated dramatically. The family say power to the hotel was lost shortly after 9.30pm, ash began falling around the resort and large flames became clearly visible nearby. They allege there was no fire alarm, evacuation announcement or organised emergency procedure and that guests were left trying to work out how to escape as staff themselves began leaving the resort. Three members of the family eventually reached a wooden jetty where they say they remained for around an hour before being evacuated by boat. One member of the family says he suffered significant smoke inhalation while helping elderly holidaymakers onto rescue vessels and remained unwell for several days afterwards. The family has now instructed HolidayLawyers to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the warnings and information provided to guests, the evacuation arrangements and the assistance provided by the tour operator and hotel. Growing concerns over wildfire affected holidays HolidayLawyers has been contacted by a number of holidaymakers whose trips have been seriously disrupted by wildfires affecting resorts overseas. With extreme heat and wildfires increasingly affecting popular holiday destinations, the consequences for tourists can be severe. Where holidaymakers find themselves surrounded by smoke, flames or falling debris, or are forced to evacuate without knowing whether they and their families will escape safely, the psychological consequences can also be significant. HolidayLawyers founder and Solicitor Advocate Aman Dhillon said: “Having previously represented passengers and crew following the Costa Concordia disaster, I have seen how the psychological effects of a close escape from a major incident can continue long after the immediate danger has passed. “Wildfires will not necessarily be the fault of a tour operator. The important questions are often what was known, what guests were told, whether appropriate emergency procedures were followed and whether proper assistance was provided when people were placed in danger.” Was your holiday affected by a wildfire? If you were caught in a wildfire, evacuated from your hotel or resort, suffered injury or smoke inhalation, or believe your holiday company failed to provide appropriate assistance during an emergency, HolidayLawyers can advise you on whether you may have a claim . We have decades of experience handling serious international travel claims and have recovered millions of pounds in compensation for thousands of holidaymakers. If your holiday was ruined by a wildfire, contact HolidayLawyers to discuss what happened.
By Holiday Lawyers • September 29, 2026
HolidayLawyers has been contacted by holidaymakers following a guest falling ill during a stay at the Nour Palace Resort & Thalasso in Mahdia, Tunisia and subsequently being medically diagnosed with salmonella . The guest stayed at the resort from 29 August to 8 September 2026 on an all inclusive package holiday booked through Sunshine.co.uk. Symptoms of gastrointestinal illness began while the guest was still staying at the hotel and continued after their return to the UK on 8 September. Following medical testing, salmonella was confirmed on 16 September 2026 . The illness has also resulted in the guest being unable to return to work, with a consequent loss of earnings. Previous reports of illness at the Nour Palace HolidayLawyers is investigating the circumstances surrounding the illness and has identified previous public reports from guests referring to gastrointestinal symptoms and concerns about food hygiene at the Nour Palace. Some reviews published during 2026 refer to guests suffering vomiting and diarrhoea and raise concerns about food preparation and temperature. Such reports do not establish the cause of an individual guest's illness. They can, however, be relevant when considered alongside medical evidence, the timing of symptoms and any evidence of similar illness affecting other guests. Confirmed salmonella diagnosis A laboratory confirmed diagnosis of salmonella is an important piece of evidence in a holiday illness claim. Our investigation will consider when symptoms began, the incubation period, food and drink consumed during the holiday, whether the guest ate predominantly within the hotel and whether other guests experienced similar symptoms. Where appropriate, evidence can also be sought concerning reported illness at the resort, food hygiene procedures, inspections and relevant health and safety records. Can a package holiday illness claim be made? Where a holiday was sold as a qualifying package, the package organiser may be legally responsible for the proper performance of the holiday services provided. The precise position depends upon the booking arrangements and documentation, which is why we examine documents including the booking confirmation and ATOL certificate at the outset. Where illness has caused additional financial loss, a claim can potentially include losses such as lost earnings , provided they can be supported by appropriate evidence. HolidayLawyers founder Aman Dhillon comments HolidayLawyers founder and Solicitor Advocate Aman Dhillon said: “A confirmed salmonella diagnosis following illness which began during a holiday deserves proper investigation. “We look at the medical evidence, the timing of the illness, what the client ate and drank, whether other guests were affected and the evidence surrounding conditions at the hotel during the relevant period. “The fact that somebody became ill abroad does not by itself establish liability, but where there is a confirmed bacterial infection and symptoms began during the holiday, there can be strong grounds for further investigation.” Salmonella or food poisoning after a holiday in Tunisia? HolidayLawyers specialises in serious holiday illness and accident claims. Our lawyers have decades of experience dealing with international travel litigation and gastrointestinal illness claims involving hotels and resorts overseas. If you stayed at the Nour Palace Resort & Thalasso in Mahdia , or another hotel in Tunisia, and developed salmonella, gastroenteritis or another significant gastric illness, we can assess the circumstances of your case. We act in appropriate cases under a No Win No Fee agreement , with any potential deductions explained clearly before you decide whether to proceed.  Contact HolidayLawyers for a confidential assessment of your holiday illness claim.