A cruise company says it is "certain" a former captain did not contract fatal Legionella on one of its ships.
Tore Myhra, 57, of Norfolk, became ill on board the Liberty of the Seas and died in a Miami hospital shortly after the cruise ended, in November 2009.
He had captained several ships for Royal Caribbean. His wife, Sue, had also worked for them as ship's purser.
Royal Caribbean said the ship tested negative for Legionella before, during and after the cruise.
'Strict legal requirements'
Speaking to the BBC last week, Mrs Myhra said her husband's death was "ironic" and that she tried and failed to sue the company.
Royal Caribbean declined to comment but has since issued a statement about Legionella testing and said it was "saddened by the death of Mr Myhra".
Mr Myhra died the day Liberty of the Seas returned to port.
"Mr Myhra reported to the ship's doctor with flu-like symptoms and received appropriate medical treatment for Legionella," it said.
"Sadly, he died shortly after his illness was reported.
"Royal Caribbean is certain that Mr Myhra did not contract Legionella while sailing on board Liberty of the Seas.
"All of Royal Caribbean ships have systems and procedures in place to monitor for Legionella, in accordance with strict legal requirements.
"As is standard, water tests carried out throughout the cruise by Royal Caribbean, as well as by independent experts, were all negative for Legionella and other pathogens tested.
"Following Mr Myhra's illness, the vessel was also inspected by the US Centers for Disease Control, who also reported the ship as negative for Legionella."
'So much affection'
Norwegian-born Mr Myhra had been the master of several Royal Caribbean cruise ships until his resignation in 1999.
"The company was everything to us," said Mrs Myhra, of Belton. "It was where we met, it was our life - the place where we fell in love. "We had so much affection for it all." An inquest into Mr Myhra's death is due to be held in Norwich on 14 May.
By Laura Devlin, BBC News Online
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