World3 min(s) read
Published 13:17 17 May 2026 GMT
A second cruise ship is dealing with an outbreak of illness, with nearly 2,000 people currently remaining onboard.
The UK-operated ship Ambition is docked in Bordeaux, France, where authorities have said passengers are not allowed to disembark. Three individuals are reportedly isolating in their cabins.
As of Wednesday, 48 passengers and one crew member were showing symptoms consistent with a gastrointestinal illness.
On Sunday, Ambassador Cruise Line also confirmed that a 92-year-old man died onboard. Although he had not reported any related symptoms, the exact cause of death has not yet been determined by a coroner.
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The ship is carrying 1,187 passengers and 514 crew members, according to the operator.
It departed from Belfast on May 8 and stopped in Liverpool the following day, where an increase in gastrointestinal illness, often linked to norovirus, was reported after more passengers boarded.
One passenger from Northern Ireland told the Belfast Telegraph that the captain made an announcement at 8AM explaining they would not be allowed to leave the ship in Bordeaux, followed by another at 10AM stating that French authorities would carry out testing to check for a possible outbreak.
While some passengers are isolating, she said most people are “not confined to our rooms or anything.” She described the overall atmosphere as “low,” though staff are continuing to provide “entertainment” onboard.
She added: “There’s been the usual advice about sanitising and washing your hands. The staff are constantly cleaning tables and surfaces in between people moving around.
"The term norovirus hasn’t actually been mentioned in any of the announcements. They’ve only said ‘gastro’. I think people are quite nervous about eating from buffets and things like that.”
Authorities in Bordeaux have stressed that there is “no reason” to connect this situation with a recent hantavirus outbreak on another cruise ship, where three people died.
Ambassador Cruise Line said: “A number of guests and crew onboard Ambition have displayed or are displaying symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness.”
The company added that enhanced cleaning and prevention measures have been introduced “in line with established public health procedures following the initial reports of illness.”
These steps include more frequent cleaning and disinfection of shared areas, as well as ongoing advice to passengers about maintaining good hand hygiene. Guests have also been instructed to report any symptoms to the ship’s medical team.
French health officials were notified before the ship arrived in Bordeaux, and a medical team was sent onboard to assess the situation. Samples have been sent to Bordeaux University Hospital for testing.
The regional health agency said it has suspended passenger disembarkation in the area “as a precautionary measure due to the contagiousness of gastroenteritis-type illnesses” while results are pending.
Ambassador added that testing would take at least six hours and said: “The health, safety and well-being of our guests and crew remains our highest priority, and we are sincerely grateful for the patience, understanding, and cooperation shown while these precautionary measures remain in place.”
Gastrointestinal illness is a common condition that causes symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting and spreads easily.
In adults, it is most often caused by norovirus or food poisoning. It usually lasts between one and three days, with symptoms typically resolving on their own within a week. The NHS advises people to stay home, keep hydrated, and rest to avoid spreading it further.
