A British cruise ship carrying more than 1,700 passengers and crew members was ordered to remain docked in Bordeaux on Wednesday following an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness, according to French health authorities. The Ambition, operated by Ambassador Cruise Line, had been midway through a 14-night voyage originating from Belfast and Liverpool when it arrived at the port on Tuesday evening. Regional officials suspended disembarkation and restricted port interactions after receiving a report from the ship’s captain on Tuesday night.
Up to 50 passengers exhibited symptoms consistent with acute digestive infection, with those affected receiving treatment from the ship’s physician and remaining isolated in their cabins. A medical team was dispatched to conduct examinations, and biological samples were collected for laboratory analysis at a Bordeaux hospital. The company later reported that 48 passengers and one crew member were showing gastrointestinal symptoms as of late Wednesday morning, with cases apparently rising after passengers boarded in Liverpool on May 9.
French authorities explicitly stated there was no connection between the Ambition outbreak and a separate hantavirus incident aboard another vessel, the MV Hondius, which had generated significant concern across European health agencies. The hantavirus cases had resulted in three deaths and nine confirmed infections, with two additional suspected cases. All shore excursions scheduled for Bordeaux were canceled, and affected passengers were offered complete refunds.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has documented 23 gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships annually, predominantly caused by norovirus strains. A separate norovirus outbreak occurred recently aboard the Caribbean Princess, which affected more than 140 passengers and 15 crew members during a voyage carrying over 3,100 people. Ambassador Cruise Line also reported that a 92-year-old passenger died on Sunday, though officials noted he had not exhibited symptoms consistent with the outbreak illness and that the cause of death remained under investigation by a coroner.
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