Cruise ship hit by vomiting bug leaves Belfast

A cruise ship that saw 98 passengers struck down by a vomiting bug has now embarked on another voyage from Belfast.

The Fred Olsen cruise liner, The Boudicca, left Belfast on Monday 23 September for its 10-night Scandinavian Cities Cruise.

Ninety-eight of the 763 passengers on board became ill, suffering with vomiting and diarrhoea, reports the BBC.

The ship docked back in Belfast on Thursday 3 October, and underwent a sanitation and cleaning procedure before setting sail again.

The Boudicca has now left for another cruise to Portugal and the Canary Islands.

A Fred Olsen spokesman told Sky News: "It is extremely unfortunate that a number of guests on board this Scandinavian cruise have experienced this illness.

"In such instances, every precaution is taken on board to ensure the swift containment of the illness, and a number of public areas, including all public toilets and the self-service buffet, are closed.

According to the Belfast Telelgraph, the spokesman added that any guest showing symptoms was asked to remain in their cabin, with complimentary room service and in-cabin entertainment.

A spokesman for the Public Health Agency (PHA) told the BBC: "The outbreak has been managed by the onboard medical team according to recognised national guidance."

The news comes just days after a gastroenteritis outbreak hit 130 passengers on another 12-night luxury Fred Olsen cruise.

The Black Watch cruise ship travelled to Scandinavia and St Petersburg, returning to Rosynth, Fife, on Friday 20 September.

The ship departed on 8 September with 778 holidaymakers on board.

See inside The Boudicca below:

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