A cruise ship with more than 1,800 people aboard — including 42 complaining of flu-like symptoms — was prevented from docking in Chile due to fears over the coronavirus, AFP reported.

The vessel, operated by the Holland America (Carnival) group, set off from Buenos Aires on March 7.

In a statement, the operator said that 13 of the ship's 1,243 passengers and 29 of its 586 crew were ill.

“Since it is flu season, and Covid-19 testing is not available on the ship, it is difficult to determine the cause of these elevated cases at this time,” the company said.