France has permitted passengers unaffected by a stomach bug outbreak on a British cruise ship to disembark in Bordeaux, following confirmation that norovirus is the cause of the illness. The decision came after an initial order to keep all 1,700-plus passengers and crew aboard The Ambition, with authorities later allowing healthy individuals to leave late Wednesday. One passenger was seen raising his arms in triumph upon exiting the vessel. The exact number of those who disembarked remains unclear.
Norovirus Outbreak Confirmed
Local authorities stated that samples analyzed at Bordeaux University Hospital confirmed the presence of norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug. No serious cases have been reported so far, and sick passengers have been receiving care from the ship's medical team. French officials clarified that this outbreak is unrelated to a deadly hantavirus incident on a Dutch vessel that has recently raised concerns among European health authorities.
Cruise Journey Interrupted
The Ambition, operated by Ambassador Cruise Line, was midway through a 14-night voyage from Belfast and Liverpool, with planned stops in northern Spain and along France's Atlantic coast. The ship arrived in Bordeaux on Tuesday evening, but it is not yet known if or when the journey will resume. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 23 gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships last year, most attributed to norovirus, including a new strain. Ambassador Cruise Line, a British operator focusing on passengers over 50, was founded in 2021.
