Cruise from hell: passengers trapped on luxury liner after vomiting bug strikes

Hundreds of passengers confined to cabins as luxury voyage descends into chaos

Holidaymakers on a round-the-world cruise have been left stranded in Belfast after a vomiting bug swept through the ship.

The luxury liner, which left Southampton on January 3, was due to dock in Belfast on January 12. But the arrival was delayed after more than 300 passengers and crew were struck down by the norovirus outbreak.

The ship, which is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, has now been quarantined in Belfast and passengers are not allowed to leave.

A spokesperson for the company said: "We are aware of a number of guests and crew members on board who are experiencing a gastrointestinal illness.

"The ship has been quarantined and we are working with the local health authorities to manage the situation."

The outbreak has caused chaos on board, with passengers reporting scenes of "pandemonium".

One passenger, who asked not to be named, said: "It's like a scene from a horror movie.

"People are vomiting everywhere and the crew are struggling to cope."

Another passenger, who is travelling with her husband and two young children, said: "We're all stuck in our cabins and we're not allowed to leave.

"The food is terrible and the staff are overwhelmed.

"We're supposed to be on a dream holiday but it's turned into a nightmare."

The outbreak is the latest in a series of problems to hit the cruise industry in recent months.

In December, a Carnival Cruise Line ship was quarantined in St. Lucia after a norovirus outbreak.

And in November, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship was forced to return to port in Florida after a fire broke out on board.