A CRUISE company has offered compensation to passengers struck down by sickness on a Southampton voyage of the MS Balmoral.

Dozens of people have contacted a law firm after the cruise company, Fred Olsen, cut short by a day the cruise from Southampton to the Norwegian fjords last month.

In a statement, Fred Olsen said the gastro-enteritis type illness was “outside of its control” and was probably brought on board by a passenger “as they were physically sick in the afternoon of embarkation and then immediately placed in isolation within their cabin – this is despite pre-screening questionnaires and checks prior to boarding, in order to stop anyone who has had any signs of illness”.

It added: “Unfortunately, we are also aware that, contrary to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ strict containment procedures on board, some guests did not report their symptoms to staff immediately, meaning that they could have spread the illness to others.

“Typically, physical symptoms do not become evident until at least 48 hours after contracting the virus, at which point the illness is incredibly contagious.

"Norovirus spreads by touching surfaces, as well as person-to-person contact, so it could easily have spread to other people at Southampton Cruise Terminal before they joined the ship.”

Fred Olsen said they were disappointed that passengers had their cruise curtailed and it was doing its best for the passengers “even though this will carry significant cost" to the cruise line.

The company is offering to refund one day’s cost of the cruise including a refund for the ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package, a voucher for up to half off a future ‘Norwegian Fjord’ cruise and any out of pocket expenses.

Gastro-enteritis is spread easily by contact with surfaces and from person to person, and is particularly prevalent during cold weather.

Most people do not report incidences, but on a cruise ship, cases are particularly highlighted. Commonly, the illness abates within one or two days.

The Daily Echo yesterday (MON) quoted a retired couple Richard and Diane Early, from West Sussex, who were affected.

Fred Olsen said: “We are sorry that Mr and Mrs Early have had their cruise holiday impacted in this unfortunate way, and we are endeavouring to reach a settlement directly with them, even though it seems that this illness was brought on board the ship by one guest and was outside our control.

"However, in spite of several efforts to contact the couple, we have been unable to speak to them.

“History shows that it is in guests’ best interests to come to an arrangement directly with us, as court cases can take several years to come to fruition and guests often receive only 10 per cent more than their cruise fare in compensation, whereas the lawyers are the main beneficiaries.”

The law firm, Irwin Mitchell, said that it is investigating the cause of the outbreak.