French authorities have confined more than 1,700 passengers and crew members to a cruise ship docked in Bordeaux after a suspected norovirus outbreak, officials said. The vessel, Ambition, is carrying 1,233 passengers, most of them British or Irish nationals, and arrived in Bordeaux on Tuesday. About 50 people had shown symptoms of the virus, according to French health officials.
A 92-year-old passenger died on the cruise on Sunday. However, the operator, Ambassador Cruise Line, said the guest did not report any symptoms of gastrointestinal illness and the cause of death had yet to be established, pending a coroner’s full report.
Ambassador confirmed there were 48 active gastrointestinal illness cases among the passengers and one among the crew on the 14-night cruise. It also said French shore authorities had instructed guests and crew members to remain onboard. The ship departed Belfast on Friday and Liverpool on Saturday, with figures from the operator showing an increase in cases after the embarkation of guests in Liverpool.
The company said in a statement: “We would like to reassure guests that we take any illnesses aboard our fleet extremely seriously. Enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols were immediately implemented across the ship in line with established public health procedures following the initial reports of illness.” Measures include increased cleaning, assisted service in dining venues, and guidance on hand hygiene, with medical consultations free of charge.
The authorities in Bordeaux requested a routine review of the ship’s health status and records. A specialist medical team and sanitation consultants were dispatched to the vessel, collecting samples for laboratory testing at Bordeaux University hospital, with results requiring a minimum of six hours. “While the investigation and testing are ongoing, all guests and crew have been instructed to remain onboard under the direction of the local shore authorities. Once clearance is granted, guests will be permitted to disembark,” the operator added.
