Ordeal of cruise passengers stuck floating on ocean amidst cholera scare

26 February 2024 , 18:09

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The Norwegian Dawn cruise ship was eventually allowed to dock in Port Louis (Image: Liverpool Echo)

Passengers on a cruise struck by a cholera scare have spoke of their desperation as the vessel has finally been allowed to dock.

The Norwegian Dawn cruise liner was initially barred from docking after at least 15 people fell ill with what was initialled feared to be the Victorian-era disease. The holidaymakers were put into isolation after complaining of a stomach illness, which was later confirmed as gastroenteritis.

But the scare led to authorities in Mauritius refusing to let the ship dock over the weekend to "avoid any health risks". Some 2,200 passengers - including Brits - and 1,000 crew were on board. Despite the liner now being able to dock in Port Louis, people on board have been told they cannot leave for another 24 hours as a precaution, and told of their frustrations after days at sea. Dutch tourist Esther Verdaas told BN DeStem the atmosphere on board was "not pleasant".

"Flights are being missed, people have lost money on hotels booked in Mauritius," said Ms Verdaas, who has been travelling with her husband and two daughters. "These are luxury problems, of course. But what I find difficult is that so much is unclear. Can we go home? When? How? Where do we get tickets?"

Cruisers were left floating on the ocean aimlessly amidst the health scare (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13127115/Cruise-passengers-sickness-hit-Norwegian-Dawn-ship)

She said they had been aimlessly floating for days after the illness broke out. The delay means some travellers on board are worrying about their onwards journeys. Lucy Boyle, whose elderly mother and stepfather are on the cruise, said she just wanted them "home safe". "They have had all clear from that there are no cases of Cholera confirmed from the tests," said Lucy, from Nottinghamshire.

'Mauritius does much more than completing the tropical island cliche checklist'

"'Last I heard from her, they have had all clear from that there are no cases of Cholera confirmed from the tests. Inspectors are coming aboard as soon as they dock before they are allowed off." The Mauritius Port Authority confirmed: "The decision not to allow the cruise ship access to the quay was taken in order to avoid any health risks. The health and safety of passengers as well as that of the country as a whole are of the utmost to the authorities."

A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line said: “During Norwegian Dawn’s Feb. 13, 2024 South Africa voyage, a small number of guests experienced mild symptoms of a stomach-related illness. Upon the ship’s return to Port Louis, Mauritius, the vessel’s management team met with local authorities to confirm precautions and actions were being taken to ensure the wellbeing of all on board.

Holidaymakers pictured queuing at the port on Sunday (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13127115/Cruise-passengers-sickness-hit-Norwegian-Dawn-ship)

"Due to additional testing being required by local authorities before being allowed entry, the government of Mauritius has delayed disembarkation for the current cruise and embarkation for the next cruise by two days to Feb. 27, 2024. Furthermore, we have deployed additional team members to support the guests scheduled to embark on Norwegian Dawn’s Feb. 25, 2024 voyage from Port Louis, Mauritius, as well as providing them with complimentary hotel accommodations until they are able to board. In addition, we are assisting guests currently aboard the ship with their modified travel arrangements.

“The health and safety of our guests, crew and the destinations we visit is our top priority. We operate at the highest public health and sanitation standards, and encourage our guests to practise good hygiene and to report any illness-related symptoms to the onboard medical team immediately. Additionally, we have elevated our sanitation procedures aboard the ship as part of our routine measures to ensure a safe environment for all on board and will continue to take any necessary measures to protect our guests, crew and destinations we visit.”

Susie Beever