British liner hit by cruise bug

Nearly 120 people on P&O’s new 77,000 ton liner Oceana have become sick with symptoms that have hit passengers on four other Caribbean cruises.

The Oceana reported that 114 passengers and three crew members have been treated for some sort of virus, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said.

More than 1,000 passengers have recently become sick on Florida based cruise ships with symptoms consistent with a Norwalk-like virus.

A CDC spokesman said the symptoms aboard the Oceana are consistent with the virus that have recently plagued Holland America’s Amsterdam, Carnival Cruise Lines’ Fascination and Disney Cruise Line’s Magic.

Federal health officials were expected to board the Oceana to investigate.

The Oceana, carrying 1,859 passengers on a 15 night trip, is on only its third sail since its inaugural voyage from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades on November 1.

The Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses can cause diarrhoea, stomach pain and vomiting for 24 to 48 hours, according to the CDC. They are spread through food and water and close contact with infected people or things they have touched.

Health officials said the sickness is common, especially in colder months, and that it is unclear whether there have been more cases aboard cruise ships than usual, or if the latest cases have simply received more attention.

The cruise industry, still recovering from a slump attributed to the weak economy and September 11, has been aggressive in trying to reassure the public. The cruise lines have been quick to note that they have been taking ships out of service and scrubbing them from one end to the other.

Travel agents said they have fielded questions from people booked far in advance on cruises, but have not seen many customers back out.