by Graham Tutthill

A cruise ship has set sail from Dover at the start of a world cruise after undergoing a thorough clean and disinfection at the port.

More than 350 passengers and crew were taken ill during a Christmas and New Year cruise on board Fred Olsen’s Balmoral which arrived at Dover on Tuesday, January 5.

A total of 342 passengers and nine crew were taken ill with the Norovirus, or winter vomiting virus, on board the ship.

"Any outbreak of gastro infection on board our ships is taken very seriously by the company," said Mike Rodwell, managing director of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.

"As a result the ship is undergoing a thorough cleansing and disinfecting programme before departing on its next cruise.

"Specialist companies have been taken on to work alongside the company’s own staff to handle these programmes."

The ship set sail on Tuesday evening for a 106-night round-the-world cruise.

Full story in the Dover Mercury, on Thursday, January 7.