THE CRUISE ship Aurora was last night due to sail on her next voyage, just hours after docking in Southampton.

P&O Cruises bosses said there were no concerns that the private corporate party embarking on the ship for its three-day cruise around the Channel Islands would contract the highly-contagious norovirus.

Some 500 of the ship's 1,800 passengers on the 17-day Adriatic Voyage came down with symptoms of the bug, including vomiting and diarrhoea.

Among the unlucky passengers were Mary and Raymond McCourt, who had the trip paid for and arranged by family as surprise birthday presents.

Mrs McCourt, 60, from Staplers Road, Newport, on the Isle of Wight, had never been abroad before and said she would stay on home turf from now on.

She added: "It was a nightmare, I'm thrilled to be home. I was ill for three days and I just had to stay in the cabin.

"We missed all the trips and everything. Nobody's mentioned any compensation. It was the holiday from hell, never again."

Mr McCourt, 70, said: "We'll stick to the Isle of Wight."

Other holidaymakers from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were among those who admitted their holiday had been spoilt by the virus outbreak - even if they were not ill themselves.

Norman Thorn, 57, from Enterprise Close, Warsash, was travelling with his wife Janet, 54.

He said: "It was disconcerting when people started wandering around with masks on and everything was being cleaned and sanitised.

"When we were off the ship there was some hostility. On one occasion while we were in a pub in Gibraltar it was very obvious that the landlady didn't want us there as though we were infected or something, which was quite annoying."

Mrs Thorn added: "Everyone was talking about it which did spoil the atmosphere. A lot of people stopped using the buffet and absolutely everything was served by the staff."

A P&O spokeswoman said the crew had acted immediately the virus outbreak was suspected.

She added: "We're very pleased with the crew. Only three per cent of them had it because they know what to do - they've had extensive training. You could see how quickly we've brought it under control once passengers started working with us."

Managing director David Dingle said he would be waiting for correspondence from passengers. It's thought the virus was brought on board by a passenger and that just two or three were still suffering when Aurora docked.