Princess Cruises has implemented a mandatory face mask policy on one of its ships due to a growing number of COVID cases onboard.

The cruise line is dealing with a number of positive cases among passengers and crew onboard the Island Princess.

It has told passengers that all those who have tested positive are isolated, along with any close contacts on the ship.

Island Princess is currently on a 34-night voyage from Florida, the first 18-night leg of which will end in Southampton on 13 June.

The ship will then embark on the second leg, a 16-day ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ cruise to Norway, ending back in Southampton on 29 June.

The cruise line has not said whether the mask policy will apply to Island Princess’ cruise from Southampton. In a statement, Princess said: “We follow the primary cruise health protocols of the particular country or region at the start of each voyage and make any necessary adjustments as conditions warrant during the journey.”

In a letter to guests, Princess said all the cases of COVID identified onboard were ‘asymptomatic’ or ‘mildly symptomatic’.

It added that it was reintroducing mandatory masks indoors ‘out of an abundance of caution’.

Masks, which are being distributed to guests, are only required outdoors when in large gatherings or where social distancing isn’t possible.

Island Princess carries a maximum of 1,974 passengers and 890 crew. It currently has 1,900 onboard. All passengers over the age of 18 must be fully vaccinated and test negative prior to boarding.