Australia: Swine flu-stricken Pacific Dawn docks

Photo / AP

Passengers who disembarked from the swine flu-stricken Pacific Dawn cruise ship yesterday appeared to be in high spirits with giving the thumbs up as they walked out of Brisbane's Portside cruise ship terminal.

But P&O Cruises officials say the outbreak will cost the company millions of dollars after the ship, which had been carrying 2700 passengers and crew, had to cut short its trip to the Great Barrier Reef when three crew tested positive for swine flu.

In a bid to keep passengers happy, P&O staff handed returning passengers a reimbursement cheque for 75 per cent of the cruise fare and gave an additional 25 per cent credit on a future cruise.

One exiting passenger said it was the best holiday he had had.

The first passenger off said she was going home to book another cruise.

All passengers were asked to wear face masks whether they presented symptoms or not, and all were sent home for a seven-day quarantine period.