Ananova:

A highly contagious stomach bug has struck down passengers on a £300 million ocean liner just three weeks after its unlucky naming ceremony.

The champagne bottle swung by the Duchess of Cornwall against the hull of the Queen Victoria failed to break - a sign of bad luck in the seafaring world.

Now, on only its second voyage, the 90,000-ton vessel has been hit by an outbreak of norovirus, the "winter sickness bug" that causes vomiting and diarrhoea for up to three days, reports the Daily Telegraph.

A total 78 of the 3,000 passengers and crew on board the Queen Victoria have been hit by norovirus and treated in their cabins.

The ship's schedule has not been affected and it will arrive in Gran Canaria today for New Year's Eve and return to Southampton on Jan 6 as planned.

When asked if he thought that the failure of the champagne bottle to break had brought bad luck, Cunard spokesman Michael Gallagher replied: "I cannot comment on superstition."

The liner's unhappy start has echoes of the MV Aurora. The champagne bottle used by The Princess Royal failed to break in 2000 and the liner broke down 18 hours into its maiden voyage.