Health authorities are dealing with the first major infection outbreak on a cruise ship since the local industry recommenced sailing, after it was reported that 100 staff and passengers had been infected on the Coral Princess during its passage from Port Douglas to Brisbane.

The ship’s operator Princess Cruises offered refunds to passengers who did not want to proceed, before it set sail with about 2300 on board from Brisbane for Sydney on Monday. It is understood only a few of those infected disembarked in Brisbane.