Vomiting bug strikes down ‘hundreds’ on cruise ship

P&O Cruises is today playing down reports that hundreds of passengers have been struck down by a vomiting bug while on a luxury pre-Christmas voyage.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, at least 340 of the 1,843 passengers onboard the Oriana are believed to have contracted the highly infectious Norovirus during the 10-day cruise to the Christmas markets of Bruges, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo and Hamburg.

However, in a statement released this morning, P&O Cruises claimed there were only six passengers with "active" symptoms. It described it as "an incidence of mild gastrointestinal illness" among passengers.

"Enhanced sanitation protocols have already been implemented to help minimise transmission to other passengers," it said. "These comprehensive disinfection protocols have been developed by P&O Cruises in conjunction with U.K. and U.S. public health authorities."

The report in the Daily Mail said one passenger fell ill on the day the Oriana set sail on December 4 and since the bug has swept through the ship.

Some passengers, who paid between £799 and £1,429 for the cruise, have been quarantined in their cabins. P&O said: "Unwell passengers are asked to comply with the doctor’s instructions and isolate themselves in their cabin until non-contagious.

"They are also asked not to proceed ashore, and any shore excursion costs are refunded. Room service is provided to affected passengers and every effort is made to make them as comfortable as possible."

The cruise line has agreed to cover any medical charges that have been incurred as a direct result of the Norovirus outbreak.

Up to 300 passengers, who were angry at not being kept informed about the virus, congregated onboard to demand action, but were told by an officer that it was an illegal meeting and they must disperse, according to the Mail.

However, P&O claimed the captain was regularly updating passengers and crew on the situation and advising sick passengers to report to the medical centre.

The Southampton Port Authority will carry out a full inspection of Oriana when it docks later today.

The cruise line has agreed to cover any medical charges that have been incurred as a direct result of the Norovirus outbreak.

What is Norovirus?

Outbreaks on cruise ships are not uncommon. Here’s what the NHS has to say about it.

Norovirus, better known as the winter vomiting bug, is the most common stomach bug in the UK, affecting people of all ages.

The virus, which is highly contagious, causes vomiting and diarrhoea. As there is no specific cure, you have to let it run its course, but it should not last more than a couple of days. If you get norovirus, make sure you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and practise good hygiene to help prevent it from spreading.

Norovirus can be unpleasant to experience, but it’s not generally dangerous and most people make a full recovery within a couple of days, without having to see a doctor.

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that are the most common cause of stomach bugs in the UK. 

Between 600,000 and 1 million people in the UK catch norovirus every year. You may have heard of it as the "winter vomiting bug" because the illness is more common in winter. However, the virus can be caught at any time of the year.

By Linsey McNeill