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 have 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 have shown symptoms of the virus, according to French health officials. A 92-year-old passenger died on the cruise on Sunday, but the operator, Ambassador Cruise Line, said the guest had not reported 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 passengers and one among crew on the vessel, which was on a 14-night cruise. The ship departed Belfast on Friday and Liverpool on Saturday, with figures showing an increase in cases after embarkation in Liverpool.
The company said enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols were immediately implemented across the ship, including increased cleaning and disinfection, assisted service in selected dining venues, and ongoing guidance on hand hygiene. Medical consultations for gastrointestinal illness were provided free of charge.
Bordeaux authorities requested a routine review of the ship's health status and records, and a specialist medical team and sanitation consultants were dispatched. Samples have been collected for laboratory testing at Bordeaux University hospital, with results requiring at least six hours to process. While the investigation continues, all guests and crew have been instructed to remain onboard under the direction of local shore authorities.
