Passengers aboard the Ambition cruise ship, operated by Ambassador Cruise Line, have described harrowing scenes as norovirus swept through the vessel, leaving more than 1,700 passengers and crew stranded off the coast of Bordeaux. The ship, which departed the Shetland Islands on May 6 and stopped in Belfast, Liverpool and Brest, failed to depart for Spain as scheduled after 49 people fell ill with the highly contagious vomiting bug.
Carol Landa-Vance, from County Antrim, told the BBC that French authorities confirmed the outbreak as norovirus, allowing asymptomatic passengers to leave the ship. However, she noted that from Sunday, self-service buffets were restricted, condiments removed, and pools and jacuzzis closed. David Munster, from County Down, said that after leaving Liverpool, passengers were informed of illnesses, with affected individuals isolating in cabins while others used open facilities.
Passengers reported seeing fellow travellers vomiting on deck and on a bus. One woman described witnessing someone throw up on the deck, while another saw clean-up crews attending to sick passengers. Despite the chaos, many praised the crew for their hard work, with one passenger stating, 'Staff doing their very best, room service and plenty of water provided, non-stop cleaning.'
Ambassador Cruise Line confirmed the outbreak in a statement, saying enhanced sanitation protocols were implemented, including increased cleaning, assisted dining, and hand hygiene guidance. The company also reported that a 92-year-old British man died on board on Sunday, but he had no norovirus symptoms, and local media said he suffered a cardiac arrest. French health authorities boarded the ship to collect samples and review records.
Passengers have criticised some fellow travellers for poor hygiene, with one writing, 'Some passengers need a lesson in hygiene. One lady coughing in the dining room with no hand over her mouth.' Others defended the crew, noting their efforts to maintain cleanliness despite challenging conditions.
