Norovirus Confirmed on Ambition Cruise Ship in Bordeaux; 49 of 1,701 Passengers and Crew Affected

A norovirus outbreak forced French authorities to quarantine more than 1,700 passengers and crew aboard the Ambition cruise ship in Bordeaux; asymptomatic passengers were later allowed to disembark. Samples analyzed at Bordeaux University Hospital confirmed the outbreak was caused by norovirus. No serious cases have been reported from the outbreak.

Forty-nine people fell ill from gastrointestinal sickness aboard the vessel, which had 1,187 guests and 514 crew members when the outbreak began. The Ambition was midway through a 14-night cruise when the outbreak occurred. It set sail from Belfast on 8 May, headed to Liverpool the day after departing Belfast, and an increase in cases was reported after guests boarded in Liverpool.

The ship reached Bordeaux on Tuesday evening. A 92-year-old man passed away onboard on Sunday. The man did not report any related symptoms and the cause of his death is unknown. Sick passengers were cared for onboard by the ship’s medical team.

Passengers showing no symptoms are allowed to leave the ship. One passenger was spotted raising his arms in triumph while leaving the vessel. Carol Landa-Vance, a passenger from County Antrim traveling with her husband, said the confirmation brought relief.

"We've had the good news tonight that the French government have tested and it's a norovirus, that's definite, and we're free to move about the ship tomorrow, and we're free to get off the ship tomorrow," she told the BBC. Ambassador Cruise Line stated that normal operations would continue, including shore excursions.