A norovirus outbreak has been confirmed on the British cruise ship, The Ambition, during its stop at the French port city of Bordeaux. With more than 1,700 passengers and crew originally ordered to remain on board, French authorities have since decided to allow those unaffected by the illness to disembark. The outbreak was identified after 60 passengers and four crew members reported gastrointestinal illness as of Thursday morning.
Initially arriving in Bordeaux on Tuesday evening as part of a 14-night cruise from Belfast and Liverpool, The Ambition was scheduled to visit northern Spain and the Atlantic coast of France. Although the French authorities had directed all persons on board to stay inside the vessel, they changed their stance late Wednesday. Passengers who were healthy were permitted to leave, with one passenger seen celebrating as he exited the ship.
Concerns surrounding the outbreak were heightened due to an ongoing hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch vessel earlier, which raised alarms among European health authorities. However, local officials confirmed that there was no connection between the two incidents. Samples taken from The Ambition and analyzed at Bordeaux University Hospital confirmed the presence of norovirus, a contagious stomach bug known for its ability to spread easily in close quarters, such as on cruise ships.
The cruise line, Ambassador Cruise Line, indicated that all scheduled shore excursions for those who were cleared to disembark would proceed as planned. The ship is expected to remain in Bordeaux overnight before adjusting its itinerary in response to forecasted adverse weather conditions in the Bay of Biscay. This strategy aims to safeguard the health and well-being of both the guests and crew, particularly those recovering from illness.
Ambassador Cruise Line, founded in 2021 and targeting passengers over the age of 50, has a record of maintaining health protocols on board. Although there was a reported death of a 92-year-old male passenger during the cruise, the operator confirmed that he did not exhibit any symptoms associated with gastroenteritis, leaving the circumstances around his death separate from the current outbreak.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitors gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships, noting that 23 such incidents were recorded last year, with most linked to norovirus outbreaks. The continuous tracking of these illnesses underscores the importance of health measures in the cruise industry to prevent widespread outbreaks and ensure passenger safety.
As the situation develops, authorities emphasize the importance of carefully monitoring the health of all individuals aboard to mitigate any further spread of norovirus. With a health-focused strategy in place, The Ambition is set to continue its journey, albeit with a modified route to better accommodate traveler safety and comfort in the wake of the outbreak.
