French Authorities Clear 1,700-Person Ambition Cruise to Resume After 50 Fall Ill With Norovirus
Updated
Updated · Fodor's Travel · May 14
French Authorities Clear 1,700-Person Ambition Cruise to Resume After 50 Fall Ill With Norovirus
8 articles · Updated · Fodor's Travel · May 14
French authorities let the Ambition resume normal operations from Bordeaux after confirming a norovirus outbreak and allowing passengers without symptoms to disembark.
About 50 people became ill on the 14-night voyage, which carries 1,187 guests and 514 crew, prompting officials to keep everyone onboard while they investigated the cause.
The ship, which sailed from Belfast on May 8 and called at Liverpool on May 9, is now continuing to Spain; a 92-year-old passenger's death was reported unrelated to the outbreak.
The case marks the second cruise-ship norovirus outbreak in a week after the Caribbean Princess reported 145 sick passengers and 15 crew, underscoring how easily the virus spreads in enclosed settings.
With new health rules but fewer inspectors, are cruise ships becoming less safe?
Beyond stomach bugs, are deadlier viruses like hantavirus the new threat at sea?