Virus hits cruise ship passengers

A stomach virus has made nearly 100 passengers ill on a Princess Cruise Lines ship sailing from South Florida, as people on another of its liners complained of gastrointestinal illness.Ninety-two passengers and 13 crew members on the Ruby Princess were affected by the norovirus, which causes vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain. The ship is expected to return to Fort Lauderdale today.

Meanwhile, there has been an increase in the number of cases of gastrointestinal illness among passengers on Crown Princess, which docked at Port Everglades yesterday.

Princess Cruise Lines spokeswoman Julie Benson said the cases did not appear to be related and the cause of the illness had not yet been determined.

All cabins and public areas on the ships were being disinfected, which will delay their next departures, she said.