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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Cruise passengers demand refund | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Passengers on a cruise liner at the centre of a virus outbreak have said they will stay on the ship until they are promised their money back. | |
| The Marco Polo has been berthed at Invergordon on the Cromarty Firth since Monday after hundreds of passengers and crew became ill with norovirus. | |
| More than 600 passengers remain on board the ship which is due to set sail for Tilbury in Essex late on Thursday. | |
| After a meeting they warned they would not disembark unless they get a refund. | |
| Earlier one passenger, Derek Cloke, described his confinement on the liner as like being on a "hospital prison ship", with people waiting to fall sick. | |
| Mr Cloke told BBC Scotland: "Management I have to say was poor, it was really poor. | Mr Cloke told BBC Scotland: "Management I have to say was poor, it was really poor. |
| "I have never been through such a traumatic experience. | "I have never been through such a traumatic experience. |
| "It felt like you were sitting on a hospital prison ship waiting to get sick - death row if you like." | "It felt like you were sitting on a hospital prison ship waiting to get sick - death row if you like." |
| The ship's staff and medical staff have been absolutely marvellous Phyllis HamiltonPassenger | |
| Mr Cloke and his wife Pam were among up to 120 passengers to have taken a chartered train from Inverness for their journey home. | Mr Cloke and his wife Pam were among up to 120 passengers to have taken a chartered train from Inverness for their journey home. |
| Other passengers praised the ship's crew and medical workers for their response to the problems. | |
| But some complained about a lack of information on the virus, its spread and plans to take them off the ship. | |
| They said they relied on BBC News, the BBC Scotland news website and Sky TV for information about what was happening. | |
| One of those who took ill, Phyllis Hamilton from Fairlie, Ayrshire, said: "I must speak most highly about the ship's staff and medical staff. | |
| "District nurses and local doctors took turns to come in and we were looked after by the kitchen staff who came round with invalid food." | "District nurses and local doctors took turns to come in and we were looked after by the kitchen staff who came round with invalid food." |
| Her husband Douglas, who also took unwell, said the bug spread "quite dramatically" through the ship. | Her husband Douglas, who also took unwell, said the bug spread "quite dramatically" through the ship. |
| Linda Russell, from the Midlands, who was on her first cruise with her family, said: "We are very disappointed with the turn of events, but I have got to say, and I know it is a cliche, but everyone has been treated wonderfully." | Linda Russell, from the Midlands, who was on her first cruise with her family, said: "We are very disappointed with the turn of events, but I have got to say, and I know it is a cliche, but everyone has been treated wonderfully." |
| The majority of the 769 passengers chose to remain with the vessel, operated by Transocean Tours of Bremen. | |
| The Marco Polo is expected to arrive at Tilbury docks on Saturday. | The Marco Polo is expected to arrive at Tilbury docks on Saturday. |
| NHS Highland said 400 people have been assessed after becoming unwell. | NHS Highland said 400 people have been assessed after becoming unwell. |
| Seven people have been taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness since the ship's arrival. | Seven people have been taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness since the ship's arrival. |
| Two remain in hospital. | Two remain in hospital. |
| Are you on board the Marco Polo? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below: | Are you on board the Marco Polo? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below: |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |