HOLIDAYMAKERS have been struck down with a highly-contagious virus while on a cruise bound for Harwich.

The Ryndam, which can carry 1,266 passengers, is expected to dock this morning –aday before her scheduled arrival.

Holland America Line has been forced to cut short the 14-day cruise, which started on June 20 at Harwich International Port.

Norovirus, which can spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, objects, people and food, results in severe vomiting and diarrhoea.

Holland America Line said: “During the 14-day cruise aboard the Ryndam that departed on June 20, a high number of guests reported to the infirmary. The pattern of illness strongly suggests the cause is the common virus called norovirus, which is easily transmitted from person to person, especially if meticulous attention is not paid to personal hygiene.

“At the first sign of an increase in cases, we immediately initiated enhanced sanitation procedures to interrupt the spread of this virus.”

This included thorough disinfection of surfaces such as railings, door handles and lift buttons, encouraging passengers to use correct hand washing procedures, hand sanitising gels placed throughout the ship and isolating ill passengers.

The cruise company statement added: “To reduce the potential further impact on our guests and crew, the ship will return to Harwich one day early to conduct a thorough sanitation, arriving on July 3 rather than July 4.

“Guests who have scheduled flights after the cruise will be provided with local hotels for the night.”

Those on board had visited the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Norway.

In June 2010, the cruise ship Jewel of the Seas returned to Harwich early after about 300 passengers and 16 crew members came down with a vomiting bug.

The ship underwent intensive cleaning and sanitising, but just weeks later pasengers were once again struck down with the virus.