Around 70 cruise passengers have reportedly left a Saga cruise in Barcelona following a COVID outbreak onboard.

Passengers who tested positive were offloaded along with some close contacts who chose to leave with them.

A number of crew have also had to leave the Spirit of Discovery in Barcelona following the outbreak.

A statement from Saga suggested those with COVID were removed due to Spanish protocols.

It said: “Sadly a number of guests and crew have had to leave our latest cruise in Spain because of COVID protocols there.

“This includes people who have tested positive and some close contacts who chose to leave with them.

“All cases are mild or asymptomatic.”

Saga said clients were met in Barcelona by a local agent and taken to a hotel where those who tested positive will isolate ‘in accordance with Spanish protocols’.

The operator said it will arrange transport back to the UK for all those affected. They will be given a full refund.

It is believed they were mid-way through a 15-night Flavours of Western Mediterranean cruise from Southampton.

Last month a second Saga ship, Spirit of Adventure, was forced to abort a trip to the Caribbean and turn around mid-Atlantic and return to Southampton after a COVID outbreak onboard.