PASSENGERS on a luxury cruise ship have been struck down by an outbreak of a winter vomiting bug.

Around 25 holidaymakers on board the P&O ship Aurora were showing symptoms of norovirus last night.

Sick passengers, who have paid up to £1,700, are being told to isolate themselves in their rooms while a “comprehensive”

disinfection programme is rolled out on the ship, which set sail from Southampton last week with 1,845 passengers.

Yesterday the vessel was on a day call in Tenerife ahead of the next leg of its 15-day voyage – a cruise to Gran Canaria.

A company spokesman said: “Enhanced sanitation protocols have already been implemented to help minimise transmission to other passengers.

“These comprehensive disinfection protocols have been developed by P&O Cruises in conjunction with UK and US public health authorities.

“The safety and comfort of passengers and crew is always our number one priority.”

Aurora is due to return to Southampton on January 4.