JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Brandi Moore from North Carolina says her dream family vacation on Carnival Elation turned into a nightmare overnight after her first full day at sea.
“My husband first told me that he wasn't feeling well, he goes to the bathroom, he comes back, and by the time he can sit back down, I sat up and immediately got sick,” Moore said.
She and her husband were one of the first passengers to have what Carnival cruise lines reported as gastroenteritis, also known as a stomach flu.
First Coast News sat down with Dr. Shalika Katugaha, medical director of infectious diseases for Baptist Health, who says even though Brandi is not her patient, this is something she sees from patients after they come home from cruises.
“They don't have to wait to come back to talk to their doctor locally there's usually a cruise line physician who can help you,” Dr. Katughla added.
First Coast News found Carnival Elation's CDC Inspection report from last summer. Seeing violations for the way they were maintaining their food services.
Carnival reported back to the CDC the same day that they fixed those problems. But Carnival Elation hasn't been inspected since.
Despite the dozens of passengers coming forward about their sicknesses, the Carnival Elation is already back on the water. Which makes Brandi concerned not only for the next passengers, but the crew.
“One of the nurses had told me that half of the crew was also sick and they were just working around the clock the best they could,” added Moore.
Brandi shares how today she discovered an additional charge on her credit card for her and her husband's medical attention. Carnival gave her family a $190 cruise credit for their next trip, but she is still unsure if she will use it after her experience aboard Elation.