HOLIDAYMAKERS have been struck down with a highly-contagious virus while on a cruise ship bound for Harwich.

Cruise ship Ryndam, which can carry 1,266 passengers, is expected to dock this morning - a day before its scheduled arrival.

Holland America Line has been forced to cut short the 14-day Northern Isle trip which started on June 20 from Harwich International Port.

The ship will now undergo intensive cleaning and sanitising to prepare it before it departs again on another 14-day cruise tomorrow.

The Norovirus, which can spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, objects, people and food, results in severe vomiting and diarrhoea.

In a statement issued to the Standard, Holland America Line, said: "During the 14-day Northern Isle cruise aboard ms Ryndam, roundtrip Harwich that departed June 20, 2015, a high number of guests reported to the infirmary.

"The pattern of illness strongly suggests the cause is the common virus called Norovirus, which is easily transmitted from person-to-person, especially if meticulous attention is not paid to personal hygiene.

“At the first sign of an increase in cases, we immediately initiated enhanced sanitation procedures to interrupt the spread of this virus.”