Virus cruise makes refund pledge

Marco Polo passengers have been promised a full refund

A cruise ship struck by a vomiting bug is due to dock in Essex later.

About 600 passengers remain on board the Marco Polo, which cut short its round Britain cruise after some 400 people fell ill with norovirus.

Ship operator Transocean Tours of Bremen said fares would be refunded as a "gesture of goodwill".

About 120 other passengers boarded a specially chartered train in Inverness on Thursday to make their journey home by rail.

'Full compensation'

The vessel, which had 769 passengers and 340 crew on board, spent three days at Invergordon in Easter Ross.

It set sail on Thursday to take passengers back to Essex, from where it set off last Saturday.

Transocean Tours added that passengers will also get a refund of money spent on drinks on board, and a 50% discount on future cruises.

A statement issued to passengers on Friday said: "As you know, the investigation into the virus outbreak that has affected this cruise is still ongoing and, at this time, its cause remains unknown.

"However, without prejudice to those issues, after due consideration, it is advised that, as a gesture of goodwill, you will receive, via your tour operator, an ex-gratia payment in full compensation of the full amount of your cruise fare."

Six people needed hospital treatment after catching the virus, while passenger Roy Sillett, 74, from Norwich, died on Monday of an apparent heart attack which the company said was not related to the bug.