On Friday, a cruise ship, knocked by a virus outbreak that sickened hundreds, came back with passengers heaving a sigh of relief and praising the crew for the way they tackled the situation.

Cynthia Martinez, Celebrity Cruise Spokeswoman said that 413 of more than 2,600 passengers and crew came down with intestinal ailments.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said tests revealed that the outbreak was caused by norovirus, which can spread quickly in closed quarters.

According to the CDC Web site, last winter, there were two outbreaks of norovirus that caused stomach flu on Celebrity Mercury.

Celebrity Mercury was to be cleaned as was the South Carolina State Ports Authority Passenger terminal before 1,900 new passengers aboard the liner for another cruise. The cruise was delayed until 5 p. m. Saturday to give crew members sufficient time to sanitize the ship.

Celebrity Cruises’ President Daniel Hanrahan said, "I would like to apologize for the inconvenience this delay will cause our guests on Celebrity Mercury's next sailing. The extra time we are taking to sanitize the ship will help prevent any illness from affecting the next cruise".