Editing MV Aurora (2000) (section)

===Norovirus breakout===

During a cruise around the eastern [[Mediterranean]] in October 2003, over 500 passengers suffered [[stomach]] infections caused by the highly contagious [[Norovirus]]. During the outbreak, the ship's passengers were denied the right to land at [[Piraeus]], [[Greece]], as the ship was held in [[quarantine]]. ''Aurora'' departed from Piraeus on 31 October having loaded medical supplies.<ref name='BBC Timeline' /><ref name='Lloyds List 2003-10-31'>{{cite journal | title = Quarantined Aurora limps out of Piraeus harbour| journal = Lloyd's List | date = 31 October 2003| url =http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/cruise-and-ferry/article148238.ece |access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref><ref name='Guardian 2003-11-03'>{{cite news | first = Simon | last = Jeffery | title = Spain shuts border to virus ship | date = 3 November 2003 | url =https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/nov/03/gibraltar.world#article_continue | work = The Guardian | access-date = 28 December 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref name='Independent 2003-11-02'>{{cite news | first = Elizabeth | last = Nash |title = Gibraltar may refuse to let stricken cruise ship dock | date = 2 November 2003 | url =https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/gibraltar-may-refuse-to-let-stricken-cruise-ship-dock-734287.html | work = The Independent | access-date = 28 December 2010 | location=London}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
[[File:Aurora gib.jpg|thumb|240px|right|MV ''Aurora'' moored adjacent to the [[Gibraltar Cruise Terminal]] on the Western Arm of the [[North Mole, Gibraltar Harbour|North Mole]] in [[Gibraltar Harbour]].]]
On arrival in [[Dubrovnik]], [[Croatia]], a health inspector boarded the vessel and ordered the sick passengers to remain in their cabins "as a precautionary measure". Those unaffected by the virus were allowed to leave the ship. There was uncertainty as to whether the ship would be allowed to dock in [[Gibraltar]], the next scheduled port.<ref name='Independent 2003-11-02'/>

''Aurora'' was allowed to dock in Gibraltar on 3 November. A small number of passengers who were still recovering were required to stay on board. Passengers who went ashore were required to leave their passports behind. One passenger had died from a heart attack, unrelated to the norovirus breakout. The Spanish government decided to close the border between Gibraltar and Spain on advice from its health ministry. It was reopened a few hours after ''Aurora'' departed from Gibraltar. The incident caused some diplomatic tension between the United Kingdom and Spain.<ref name='Guardian 2003-11-03' /><ref name='Lloyds List 2003-11-06'>{{cite journal | title = P&O Cruises' virus-hit Aurora returns to UK | journal = Lloyd's List | date = 6 November 2003| url =http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/cruise-and-ferry/article148443.ece | access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref><ref name='Guardian 2003-11-06'>{{cite news | first = Jeevan | last = Vasagar | title = Passenger on cruise liner dies | date = 6 November 2003 | url =https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/nov/06/health.healthandwellbeing1 | work = The Guardian | access-date = 28 December 2010 | location=London}}</ref><ref name='Lloyds List 2003-11-05'>{{cite journal | title = Spain reopens Gibraltar border as Aurora sails | journal = Lloyd's List|date = 5 November 2003 | first = Brian | last = Reyes| url =http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/cruise-and-ferry/article148341.ece | access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref>

''Aurora'' returned to Southampton on 6 November, where passengers disembarked. There was a widespread expression of disappointment, with some passengers threatening legal action against P&O Cruises. P&O Cruises said that while they would not offer a standard compensation package, cases would be considered individually.<ref name='Lloyds List 2003-11-06' /><ref name='Lloyds List 2003-11-07'>{{cite journal | title = 'Hostage' passenger on Aurora may sue for kidnap | journal = Lloyd's List | date = 7 November 2003| first = David | last = Osler| url = http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/cruise-and-ferry/article148526.ece |access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref><ref name='BBC 2003-11-06'>{{cite news | title = 'Bug ship' arrives home | date = 6 November 2003 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3239093.stm | work = BBC News | access-date = 28 December 2010}}</ref>