Passengers aboard a cruise ship – seeking to dock at Fremantle port – will not be allowed to disembark.

The MSC Magnifica is carrying more than 1700 people from Italy, France, and Germany and wants to stop in Fremantle, potentially as soon as tonight.

But around 250 on board have reported upper-respiratory illnesses.

Premier Mark McGowan says his priority is to protect West Australians.

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