Norovirus hits China cruise ship

SHANGHAI, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Chinese authorities told nearly 400 passengers on a cruise ship to remain aboard the vessel until an on board outbreak of norovirus passed.

Britain's Sun newspaper said Wednesday that China at first refused to allow the Diamond Princess to even dock in Shanghai, but eventually relented and allowed about 2,000 healthy passengers to come ashore.

The Sun said the outbreak began shortly after the Diamond Princess sailed from Japan on a three-week cruise to Beijing and quickly laid victims low with nausea.

Princess Cruises said the ailing passengers and 13 crew members were asked to remain in their cabins until the illness passed.

We're quarantined until 7.30am tomorrow, cooped up here with this virus," said John Lloyd, one of several British passengers. "It has been hellish."