Pleasure cruises cancelled over virus fears

Cruise operators have cancelled trips from ports in China and offer full refunds.

Passengers are also able to choose other dates this year as an alternative, Costa Cruises has announced.

Royal Caribbean International is offering free cancellations for the Spectrum of the Seas scheduled to set sail on Monday from Shanghai. The five-day cruise involves a stop in Okinawa, Japan. Passengers may also change their dates, Royal Caribbean International said.

The operator will not allow people who live in Hubei Province, or have visited Hubei in the 15 days before departure, aboard.

Angry passengers had demanded the cancellation of a Spectrum of the Seas trip which departed Wusongkou cruise liner terminal on Thursday afternoon, but the ship set sail as scheduled.