A CRUISE ship is due to dock in Southampton tomorrow amid Covid outbreak rumours.

MSC Virtuosa is set to dock at Southampton Docks tomorrow at 6am, but concerns have been raised following rumours and reports of a coronavirus outbreak on board.

A number of news outlets have reported passengers falling ill, with a death also reported.

Customers also took to Twitter to share their experience on board.

As reported by the Liverpool Echo on Thursday, September 9, Wilf Broyden died after battling coronavirus, which his family believe he contracted while on a week long cruise aboard the MSC Virtuosa.

The Dorest Echo also reported a death onboard the ship, but it is not confirmed at this time if the death is connected to coronavirus.

Dorset Police were called to Portland Port at 1.53pm on Sunday afternoon (September 5) after receiving reports of the sudden death of a man.

The man, in his 70s, was onboard the MSC Virtuosa which moored at Portland Port on Saturday, September 4.

His death is not being treated as suspicious and his family have been informed.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We were called at 1.53pm by staff at Portland Port to reports of the sudden death of a man aged in his 70s onboard MSC Virtuosa.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and the matter is now with the coroner. His family has been informed."

One Southampton resident, who does not wish to be identified, was due to board the ship for a three-day ocean cruise.

She has said that due to the outbreak rumour she is reluctant to go on the holiday, risking losing £793.

"If you go on the ship, you'll catch Covid," she said.

"[MSC] aren't thinking of the risks to Southampton, our hospitals are jammed as it is."

MSC has said they have seen an "uptick" of cases both at embarkation and during the cruise, but refused to comment on whether there was an outbreak on board the vessel.

A spokesperson from MSC said: "MSC Virtuosa will be in Southampton tomorrow scheduled to operate normally both for disembarkation of current guests and embarkation of new ones.

"Over the past two cruises and in line with the development of the pandemic ashore in the UK that we have all seen and read about in recent weeks, we have also seen an uptick on suspect cases both at embarkation and during the cruise.

"As you might know, our protocol calls for testing of all passengers – vaccinated as well as non vaccinated – prior to embarkation, mid-cruises and before disembarkation in addition to several other on board health and safety measures designed to protect guests, crew and the communities we visit.

"Over this time, any suspect cases have been handled in accordance with the protocol and in full coordination with the relevant ashore health and port authorities.

"As we speak, our ashore and on board staff are already hard at work to prepare to welcome the new guests scheduled to board tomorrow for their cruise holiday with us.”

An ABP spokesperson said: “We continue to work closely with and support our cruise partners and relevant industry representatives, following our robust health and safety protocols.”