Illness strikes on cruise liner

Passengers aboard a large cruise ship expected to dock at the Port of Tauranga this week have been struck with illness.

At least 143 people aboard the Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas have come down with a gastro-intestinal illness during an 18-night cruise from Fremantle to Sydney, via Wellington.

The superliner is one of the biggest oceanliners in the world.

It arrived in Sydney at the weekend, where the ill passengers disembarked.

It is expected to arrive in Tauranga at 8.30am on Thursday before leaving that night.

Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Steph McDonald said 135 of the 3013 guests_4.48 per cent_and eight crew caught the illness.

"During the sailing we conducted enhanced cleaning on board the ship, to help prevent the spread of the illness.''