The quarantine of a British cruise ship struck by a norovirus outbreak has been lifted, allowing passengers to disembark after days of isolation. The vessel, operated by a major cruise line, experienced a sudden spike in gastrointestinal illness among its 1,200 passengers and 800 crew members. Health authorities confirmed 58 cases of norovirus, a highly contagious pathogen causing vomiting and diarrhoea, before declaring the situation under control.
The ship had been held at a UK port since Monday, with passengers confined to their cabins while sanitation crews deep-cleaned the vessel and medical staff monitored those affected. The outbreak prompted an investigation by the UK Health Security Agency, which traced the source to contaminated food served in the main dining room. Passengers described the ordeal as distressing, with one elderly man stating he felt "
trapped" despite the ship's efforts to provide care. The cruise line has issued a statement apologising for the disruption and confirmed it will offer compensation, including a full refund and a voucher for a future voyage.
Public health experts note that norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships are not uncommon, given the confined environment and high passenger turnover, but this incident underscores the need for rigorous hygiene protocols. The ship is now undergoing a full sanitisation before its next scheduled departure. Disembarkation proceeded smoothly this morning, with passengers cleared by medical staff and transported to local hotels or onward travel connections.
The UK Health Security Agency has closed its investigation, confirming no further risk to public health.
