The Southern Daily Echo newspaper in Southampton England is reporting that the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship was delayed for “enhanced sanitation” after dozens of passengers returning to Southampton from a 11 night eastern Mediterranean cruise had been struck down by norovirus.
Sick passengers disembarking the cruise ship at the city’s terminal reported seeing “people walking around in Ghostbusters suits” ready to disinfect the vessel and the terminal.
Cruise ship norovirus cases often take several sailings before the virus runs its course. Perhaps the Eclipse needs a major cleaning and spray down. But "enhanced cleaning" may or may not help, depending on whether the virus is passed hand-to-hand between crew and passengers or passenger to passenger – or is contained in contaminated food or water.
If you were on the Eclipse, please leave a comment below about how the cruise line handled the situation. We would be interested in hearing from passengers on the ship now whether additional passengers have been sickened or whether everyone is well and enjoying the cruise.
Photo credit: UK Telegraph