Virus Hits Two Florida-Bound Cruise Ships

(FOX News) - Passengers on board two different Florida-bound cruise ships have been hit by a fast-spreading norovirus.

The gastrointestinal sickness struck two Princess Cruise Lines ships, the Ruby Princess and the Crown Princess, both en route to Fort Lauderdale, according to WFOR-TV.

Ahead of the liners' next departures Saturday and Sunday, the cruise company sent out an "emergency notification" to passengers alerting them that their trips will be delayed due to the norovirus attack.

"It will be necessary for the ship to undergo a prolonged and additional disinfection in Port Everglades on Sunday," the company said in a message to passengers obtained by WFOR.

Aboard Crown Princess, 140 passengers and 18 crew have been affected by the illness. A total of 81 passengers and nine crew have been sickened aboard Ruby Princess, according to Karen Candy, manager of media relations for Princess.

"The ship continues to undergo the highest level of sanitation to stop the spread of illness, and a comprehensive disinfection of the ship's public areas and all passenger cabins will occur during turnaround this Sunday using additional cleaning crew who will be brought aboard," Candy's emailed statement said.

Read more: FOX News