ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Aruban health authorities today checked passengers and crew from the cruise ship Ocean Dream for signs of the swine flu that cut short their Caribbean trip, and some could find themselves spending still more time on board.

The Health Ministry on the Dutch territory said the tests were a precaution to prevent the spread of the virus after three crew members tested positive for the H1N1 influenza and 11 others showed symptoms.

Helicopters buzzed overhead and Coast Guard boats flanked the cruise ship as passengers disembarked into the cruise terminal. Nearly a dozen health officials shrouded in white clothes and wearing masks tended to them as they checked for symptoms.

Aruban passenger Miriam Tonk-Croes said people on board were calm but frustrated by the long wait and lack of information and were eager for the their trip that started June 12 to end.

The Ocean Dream arrived back in its home port early today and Health Ministry officials said it would take several hours to check the roughly 400 passengers and an equal number of crew for basic flu signs such as cough and fever.

Swabs will be taken for further analysis from anyone who shows symptoms. If a preliminary test comes back positive, they will be kept under surveillance on the ship along with cases of people with confirmed cases.