A SOUTHAMPTON-based cruise ship has scrapped a scheduled stop in New York amid reports of a Covid outbreak aboard the luxury vessel.

Queen Mary 2 left Brooklyn on December 22 with 1,575 passengers on board but a sudden change to its schedule means it will not return to the city before heading home.

Instead the luxury vessel will extend its stay in Barbados until January 2 while it recruits more staff.

Queen Mary 2 arrived in Brooklyn on December 20, when ten passengers are reported to have tested positive for Covid-19 and left the ship to isolate in the city.

Cunard has described its decision to hire extra crew as a precautionary measure but did not say why it needed more workers.

The ship is among the more than 85 vessels the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating for Covid-19 cases.

CDC officials launch an investigation if 0.10% or more of passengers on voyages test positive for the virus.

The spread of the Omicron variant has sparked fears that the CDC could reintroduce a temporary ban on cruising, months after operators resumed operations.

Queen Mary 2 left Southampton on December 13 and will remain in Barbados in a bid to ensure it reaches the UK on January 10 as planned.

UK-based guests have been offered the option of flying from Barbados to Southampton if they wish to do so.

In a letter to passengers Captain, Andrew Hall said: “Having spoken to the relevant authorities and to our head offices in Miami and in Southampton about our long onward itinerary we have concluded, that as a precautionary measure, we will need to take on additional manning in essential roles onboard before we continue our voyage back to the UK.

"Given the current international travel situation this will take a few days so we will remain here in Barbados until the new crew members can join.

"Our focus now is making sure that for those guests due to disembark on January 3 in New York, the onward journey home is as smooth and easy as possible, and we will assist in making these arrangements.

"We are looking at flight options for you, and we will be in contact directly with exact details and confirmation.”

Passengers on the 28-night cruise said the mood on Queen Mary 2 was largely upbeat but cited "connectivity issues" on the liner, the largest in the world when she entered service in 2004.

Cunard is owned by Carnival, which said its other brands were not cancelling any cruises.

Cruise lines have strict protocols to deal with any positive Covid cases onboard but several ports have recently refused vessels to dock in a bid to protect their citizens.

Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and Holland America ships have been denied entry at some ports in the Caribbean and Mexico.