Hundreds of Brits trapped on cruise ship after passenger dies and dozens fall ill following suspected norovirus outbreak
Hundreds of Brits are being held on cruise ship docked in France after a passenger died and dozens fell ill following a suspected norovirus outbreak.
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Around 1,700 passengers and crew are currently confined aboard the Ambassador Cruise Line ship following the sickness outbreak after the ship departed from Belfast on Friday 8 May.
Ambassador has confirmed to LBC that a 92-year-old British passenger had died aboard the vessel, with around 50 further passengers on board thought to have contracted a norovirus bug.
French authorities confirmed on Wednesday that those aboard are currently being held aboard the vessel, which is currently docked in Bordeaux.
Norovirus is a form of gastroenteritis, a highly contagious illness also known as the "winter vomiting bug", has symptoms that include vomiting and diarrhoea.
Ambassador Cruise Line also confirmed to LBC that the guest who died onboard did not report any norovirus symptoms. The pensioners cause the cause of death has yet to be established.
It comes as twenty-two passengers who were travelling aboard a rat virus-stricken MV Hondius will leave Arrowe Park Hospital on Wednesday.
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The ship arrived in the western port of Bordeaux on Tuesday, with passengers and crew ordered to isolate onboard to contain the spread of the outbreak.
According to the ship's logs, the vessel left the Shetland Islands on May 6, stopped in Belfast in Northern Ireland on May 8 and stopped in Liverpool on May 9, before reaching Bordeaux, from where it was scheduled to depart for Spain.
The passenger's cause of death is yet to be confirmed pending a Coroner's verdict, with Ambassador representatives supporting to the deceased passengers friends and family, according to the firm.
As part of the vessel’s scheduled stop in Bordeaux, the ship "advised the French health authorities of the situation".
A "specialist medical team and our sanitation consultants" were subsequently dispatched to the vessel.
In a statement issued to LBC, the Ambassador Cruise Line confirmed: "A number of guests and crew onboard Ambition have displayed or are displaying symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness (GII) during the 14-night Delights of Western France & Spain Explorer sailing.
"The ship departed Belfast on Friday 8 May and Liverpool on Saturday 9 May 2026, with our figures reporting an increase in cases following the embarkation of guests in Liverpool," they continued.
"We would like to reassure guests that we take any illnesses aboard our fleet extremely seriously. Enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols were immediately implemented across the ship in line with established public health procedures following the initial reports of illness."
"The comprehensive health and safety measures introduced include increased cleaning and disinfection measures in public areas, assisted service in selected dining venues and ongoing guidance to guests regarding hand hygiene, including regular hand washing, use of hand sanitisers and the prompt reporting of any symptoms to the onboard medical team," the statement continued.
"Any guests or crew presenting symptoms are being supported by the ship’s medical staff and isolated as appropriate in accordance with EU SHIPSHAN public health protocols. Medical consultations relating to GII are being provided free of charge.
"As part of the vessel’s scheduled call into Bordeaux, we followed due protocol and advised the French health authorities of the situation. The authorities requested they conduct a routine review of the ship’s health status and records.
"A specialist medical team and our sanitation consultants have also been dispatched to the vessel to support the onboard medical team. While on board, the specialist medical team collected existing samples for laboratory testing at Bordeaux University Hospital, with results requiring a minimum of six hours to be processed.
"While the investigation and testing are ongoing, all guests and crew have been instructed to remain onboard under the direction of the local shore authorities. Once clearance is granted, guests will be permitted to disembark.
"As a result of these developments, all shore excursions scheduled for today have been cancelled and guests due to travel on excursions will receive a full refund.
"The health, safety and wellbeing 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.
"We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the medical team for their exceptional care, professionalism and unwavering support during this time. Their swift response and continued commitment have been invaluable. We continue to work closely with the relevant authorities and will provide further updates as soon as additional information becomes available."