A WOMAN from the district whose luxury cruise was ruined by a gastric bug has won more than £10,000 compensation.

The five-figure settlement was ordered after a judge ruled there had been failings onboard Fred Olsen's boat Boudicca between March and April 2011, causing 12 out of 16 passengers seeking justice in court, to get ill and ruining all their holidays.

The court result has been hailed as an "epic victory" by Judith Yaxley, 70, from Nab Wood, Shipley.

Her husband Andrew Yaxley got ill as they sailed round the Mediterranean and was confined to their cabin.

Following his unrelated death in May 2012, Mrs Yaxley vowed to maintain the fight against Fred Olsen and, following the victory, she said: "Andrew would have been delighted. I had to keep the fight up for him."

She said: "We were appalled at our treatment and felt that it had been neither fair nor reasonable. Olsen refused adequate compensation so we took the matter further, eventually landing in court after four long years.

"Anyway we stuck at it - the money was less important than our belief that a big organisation should be held accountable by the little people."

The judgement from His Honour Judge Owen QC at Birmingham Crown Court came as the same ship was reported to have been hit by a fire in its engine room over the weekend, causing it to be without engine power for about five hours while passengers were aboard.

During the passengers' long compensation battle, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Limited repeatedly denied it was responsible for their problems which had included symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting and severe stomach cramps.

The 16 holidaymakers instructed specialist travel lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help them fight, since 2009 and 2013 it has now represented more than 200 passengers affected by similar illness problems on board the Boudicca cruise ship.

The trial in Birmingham heard concerns about inadequate cleaning of public areas and cabins and complaints that despite the illness outbreak, they were not told before boarding of the problems on board.

Judge Owen QC found there had been repeated outbreaks of illness and incidents of the ship’s crew not complying with the tour operator’s plan and that they should have known that there was a problem. He also concluded that Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Limited outbreak plan had been unsatisfactorily put into practice.

Passengers' lawyer Clare Comiskey: “This court victory will finally give the passengers who suffered illness during and after trips on the Boudicca cruise ship in 2011 a sense of justice. They booked their trips expecting a relaxing cruise but instead ended up suffering illness often confining them to their cabins for days. It is a shame that Fred Olsen has dragged the case all the way to trial at court but we are delighted that the judge has ruled in our clients’ favour and that our clients will now receive a compensation from Fred Olsen after enduring such terrible times on board the Boudicca."

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines confirmed that during 2011 there were intermittent outbreaks of a “gastroenteritis-type illness” that impacted a number of Boudicca cruises.

A spokesman added: “Every effort was made to contain the illness, in accordance with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines strict onboard medical and sanitation protocols.”

He added that the majority of criticisms raised by claimants during the trial were dismissed by the Judge. However, the ruling against Fred. Olsen stated that its ‘Outbreak Control’ plans and procedures were not satisfactorily able to deal with the level of outbreak that occurred.

“Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines rejects any allegations made regarding the level of cleanliness and hygiene aboard its ships. At all times, the standards of health, safety and hygiene are of the highest across all four of Fred. Olsen’s ships and comply fully with the strict requirements and inspections of their Flag State and relevant authorities.”

The company said Norovirus or the winter vomiting virus was more contagious than the common cold and spread very easily by contact with surfaces and from person to person.

The spokesman added: “Most people do not report incidences, but on a cruise ship cases are particularly highlighted. Commonly, the illness abates within one or two days.

“It is frustrating that, even with the extra preventative and containment measures that were put in place, a number of guests on board these cruises were affected by this illness.”