Illness reported aboard Queen Mary 2

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CASTRIES, Saint Lucia, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Passengers aboard the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship, currently sailing in the Caribbean, have been struck with a sickness bug, the ship's operator said.

The ship, regarded as one of the world's most luxurious cruise ships, has 2,613 passengers on its 12-day trip, and 19 confirmed cases of a gastro-intestinal illness called Norovirus, the British Broadcasting Corporation said Friday.

A statement from ship operator Cunard noted the illness is "highly contagious and typically transmitted from person to person."

Enhanced sanitation protocols are being conducted, as well as confinement of the victims to their cabins, ABC News reported Friday.

The ship departed New York On Dec. 22, the British television network ITV said.

Cunard's website says the ship is docked in St. Lucia Friday.