Passengers due to arrive for a P&O cruise this weekend have been advised to arrive later than their scheduled check-in time, so that staff are able to clean and sanitise the ship following a Norovirus outbreak.

Passengers expected to arrive in Southampton on Saturday for the seven-night sailing of Ventura to Spain and France have been advised by the cruise company to reach the port four hours later than previously planned.

The reason for the delay in embarkation is to allow extra time for crew to clean and sanitise the 3,000-passenger ship before the new guests arrive.

Ventura is scheduled to dock in Southampton at 5am on Saturday, May 25, returning from its two week cruise of the Canary Islands, before departing for La Coruna at 9pm that evening.

Several passengers have fallen ill on the ship, with some in isolation.

In a statement, a spokesperson for P&O told the Echo: “There are various additional sanitisation methods that will be carried out onboard Ventura, including but not limited to; working with additional partners who specialise in commercial cleaning and sanitisation; doubling the length of time the ship will be without guests whilst in Southampton port, to allow for a dedicated enhanced cleaning programme of all spaces onboard, including guest cabins, public areas and crew areas.”

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They added: “These methods are in addition to our already approved, recognised and proven protocols that happen throughout every cruise sailing to uphold the wellbeing of all guests and crew onboard.”

This comes after the Echo reported passengers on a four-day cruise to Amsterdam fell ill with the gastrointestinal bug earlier this month.

Holidaymakers spoke of violent bouts of sickness, being rushed to hospital, a ruined hen party and issues replacing soiled bedding, whilst away on holiday.

Helen Bradburn from Essex said she waited five hours for her bathroom to be deep cleaned after her 19-year-old daughter, May, also fell ill during the cruise.

She said: “It was just very badly handled.”

One passenger who wished to remain anonymous, commented that staff appeared to not know what to do with ill guests who visited the ship's reception asking for advice.

Upon arriving on the cruise liner for Saturday’s sailing, passengers will be given £30 of on-board credit.