More than 2,000 cases of norovirus were recorded on three P&O cruise ships in eight months.

Between January and August, 2,129 cases of the virus were reported among staff and guests on board Ventura, Iona, and Britannia when they docked in Southampton, a Freedom of Information request by the Echo has revealed.

Also known as Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE), norovirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis.

At its peak, the outbreak infected 500 guests on Ventura’s May 25 sailing from Southampton.

A total of 364 guests and 120 crew members on Iona were also infected across 27 sailings.

The number was much smaller on Britannia, with only 14 guests and 19 crew members affected on sailings between April 5 and August 30.

P&O Cruises stands firm by the fact they have “recognised and proven protocols” in place on every cruise to uphold the health and wellbeing of all those onboard.

Norovirus was not the only illness recorded onboard the three ships, with chicken pox, influenza, and even tuberculosis recorded among those staying and working on the ship.

The full figures

READ MORE: Around 1,000 cases of norovirus across 11 cruise ship sailings, figures reveal

Ventura

Sailings from the start of January to the end of August

Norovirus: 1,501 guests and 111 crew.

Chicken pox: Three guests and eight crew.

Covid: 19 guests and 13 crew.

Influenza: Five crew members.

Britannia

Sailings from the start of April to the end of August

Norovirus: 14 guests and 19 crew.

Chicken pox: Two crew members.

Covid: 13 guests and 18 crew.

Influenza: Five crew.

Tuberculosis: One crew member.

Iona

Sailings from the start of January to the end of August

Norovirus: 364 guests and 120 crew.

Chicken pox: Three guests and three crew.

Covid: Four guests and 46 crew.

Influenza: Seven guests and 30 crew.