A luxury around-the-world cruise has been diverted to Fremantle in Western Australia, instead of Singapore, over concerns about a potential coronavirus outbreak.

The Queen Mary II is currently docked in Phuket, Thailand, and was due to arrive in Singapore next week.

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Instead, it will travel straight to WA, docking at Fremantle Port on February 18.

The itinerary was originally due to include Singapore, Saigon, Nha Trang and Hong Kong.

Now, it will take on an Australian itinerary, with those expected to board in Singapore able to join the cruise from Fremantle at the cruise operator’s expense.

Cruise operator Cunard said the change in the itinerary was due to growing fears about the spread of coronavirus and increased travel restrictions imposed as a result of the deadly outbreak.

Passengers screened

In a statement, the company said the luxury liner would be disinfected and all passengers screened prior to boarding at Fremantle.

Any passengers who have been in close contact with a person suspected of having coronavirus, or who have travelled through mainland China, Macau or Hong Kong, will not be allowed the board the luxury cruise ship.

The Holland America liner MS Westerdam is one of three cruise ships currently in quarantine. Credit: EPA

“All guests and crew who visit our onboard medical centre with symptoms of any respiratory illness will be risk assessed for coronavirus and action taken as necessary,” the statement reads.

“The health and safety of our guests and crew is of utmost importance to us.

“Although the risk to our guests and crew is low, the coronavirus situation is dynamic and evolving.”

Cruise passengers stranded

The Queen Mary II precautions come in the wake of a number of cruise ships being affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

There are hundreds of Australian travellers trapped on quarantine cruise ships around the world, including the Diamond Princess and the Westerdam off the coast of Japan, and the World Dream in Hong Kong.

The Diamond Princess has been docked outside of Tokyo after a Hong Kong man onboard tested positive for the virus.

Luxury cruise ship Diamond Princess has been kept at anchor since February 3 after an elderly passenger from Hong Kong was found to be infected with coronavirus. Credit: AP

In Hong Kong, the quarantined World Dream has 16 Australians on board.

The Westerdam is at sea west of Japan, with the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan denying entry to its ports.

On mainland China, the death toll from coronavirus has officially surpassed that of the SARS pandemic of 2002-3.

The official SARS death toll was 774, while the current death toll for coronavirus has already reached more than 800.

Tourism hit

Western Australia is yet to record a coronavirus case, with more than 50 people having returned negative test results.

But the state’s economy has taken a hit due to a combination of factors related to the outbreak, including a fall in the iron ore price.

The state Labor government on Monday committed $10 million to the ailing tourism sector to be spent on marketing and discounted regional flights.

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The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA said the state was set to lose between $250 and $300 million in visitor spending.

“It is critical that both the state and federal governments keep their options open to potentially further support the sector and the economy,” chief executive Chris Rodwell said.

- with AAP