Illnesses Cut Short Hawaii Cruise

An outbreak of viral infections similar to those that hit cruise ships in the Caribbean and Alaska cut short a Hawaiian cruise Tuesday, with nearly 2,000 passengers from the Sun Princess ready to be flown home from Honolulu.

Only about 100 passengers stayed with the ship as it left for Los Angeles shortly after noon Tuesday, said Princess Cruises spokesman Tom Dow in Honolulu. They included about 50 passengers who were still sick and another 50 who apparently feared flying more than the illness.

Nearly 300 passengers and crew members contracted the Norwalk or Norwalk-like virus, cruise officials said. Most recovered in their rooms before the end of the voyage.

The cruise line made the decision to divert the ship to Honolulu when four new cases were reported Monday, Dow said.

“It was a difficult decision and a disappointment for us,” he said.

The cruise line refunded one-third of the cost of the 15-day Hawaii cruise, which was cut to 10 days, Dow said.