Malaysian cruise liner Superstar Virgo has returned to the Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) after it was temporarily quarantined when two of its crew were hospitalised for suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars).

A Bernama report said a Star Cruise spokesperson told Singapore's Shipping Times newspaper that the vessel was permitted to leave the quarantine area located in the republic's Western Anchorage after it was thoroughly disinfected over the weekend.

The report said since Star Cruises suspended shore leave in Sars-affected countries since March 29, the 1,350 crew members, who had also been instructed to wear face masks since that date, remained o­nboard the passenger liner.

Thirteen crew members who have been in contact with o­ne of their sick colleagues were isolated o­nboard, but none has displayed any symptoms.

Crew recovering

The spokesperson also said neither of the two crew members currently warded in Malaysia and Singapore had been diagnosed with Sars and both were recovering.

The ship had returned from an eight-day cruise to Ho Chi Minh City and Kota Kinabalu from March 30 to April 6.

While returning to Singapore from a cruise to Phuket, o­n April 7, an Indian national crew member was admitted to the Langkawi Hospital after she developed a fever and consulted the ship's doctor.

She was kept isolated until the liner reached Langkawi.

The Virgo arrived back in Singapore the same day with 625 passengers and 1,354 crew members.

Following this, its shipping agent reported that another Indian crew member developed high fever and was isolated o­n board.

Upon arrival at the SCC, he was sent to the Tan Tock Seng Hospital for assessment and was subsequently admitted as a possible Sars case.

The ship then continued o­n its last leg of the six-day cruise setting sail for Melaka and Port Klang. Star Cruises said the cruise continued because the company was not sure the two cases were Sars-related.

The vessel returned to the SCC o­n April 11 to heightened screening, including visual screening and temperature checks of all 814 disembarking passengers, which turned up no further suspected cases.

Itineraries cancelled

Two Virgo itineraries have been cancelled so far - a 'cruise to no-where' scheduled for last Friday, followed by a Saturday departure to Bangkok and Koh Samui in Thailand.

The company said in a statement: "In view of this development, coupled with the unabated nature of Sars which have not helped consumer confidence in the domestic and international markets, as well as to further protect our passengers and crew, Star Cruises has taken the decisive step to cancel the next two cruises."

The company has offered a full refund o­n the cruise fare and hotel accommodation for all passengers who have booked a cruise o­n these two dates.

The spokesperson added that the company was currently reviewing the situation and would announce early this week whether it would resume the Virgo's scheduled itineraries.