Virgin Voyages has been forced to delay the departure of today’s planned cruise on Valiant Lady from Portsmouth after a passenger went overboard yesterday.

The search for the passenger, who disappeared from the ship off the coast off Portugal, has now been called off.

Posting on its travel agents’ Facebook page, Virgin Voyages said: “We’re deeply saddened by this news, and above all, our thoughts are with this Sailor’s family and loved ones/”

It added that the Valiant Lady now won’t reach Portsmouth before 6pm today, which means the embarkation for the next cruise has been delayed until tomorrow morning and the cruise has been cut short. It has yet to confirm the time of embarkation.

To compensate passengers for the shortened cruise, Virgin Voyages is offering them $200 onboard credit as well as £300 Future Cruise Credit to be used on any future sailing.

If customers would like to cancel, Virgin Voyages is offering them the full cost of their cruise as a Future Cruise Credit.

“No need to call in and cancel their booking,” it said, “We’ve got you covered. If they don’t arrive at the terminal, we will refund their taxes and fees and process their full voyage fare in the form of Future Voyage Credit automatically within two weeks.”

The news of the passenger overboard was reported early on Thursday afternoon by cruise journalist Dave Monk, who writes a blog under the name Shipmonk.

He quoted a spokesperson for the cruise line saying: “We’re deeply saddened by this news.

“Our investigation indicates that this was an intentional act and that no foul play is suspected.”