Passengers ‘dropping like flies’ after virus outbreak on cruise ship

Some passengers are reported to be self-isolating.

According to Sky News, the breakout has occurred on the P&O Iona, which can carry more than 5,000 passengers and 1,800 staff.

The Iona is currently on a seven-day cruise across northern Europe, visiting Hamburg, Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.

The ship set sail from Southampton on 15 February and a large number of families are understood to be onboard, considering we're in the midst of the half-term break.

One passenger on the ship told Sky News people are ‘dropping like flies’ and a ‘large number’ of guests and staff have fallen unwell.

P&O Cruises has confirmed that some of their guests "have unfortunately reported gastrointestinal symptoms," however, they said it is currently affecting fewer than 1% of the passengers on board.

The company added that any guests who experienced symptoms on the Iona and weren’t able to take part in ‘shore activities’ would be fully refunded.

Sea cruises have suffered from a global increase in stomach bug outbreaks.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 2024 saw the highest number of gastrointestinal virus outbreaks in over a decade.

In December alone, five cruise ships were stricken with the vomiting bug, with hundreds of passengers reporting symptoms on Cunard Line, Holland America and Princess Cruises’ vessels

A spokesperson for P&O Cruises added: "P&O Cruises works with global, national and regional public health authorities on approved and proven protocols across our ships in order to protect the health and wellbeing of all on board.

"Gastrointestinal related illness is very common in the UK and is predominantly spread by person to person transmission in environments such as hotels, schools and restaurants."