The recent suspected outbreak of hantavirus on a polar expedition vessel has brought cruise ship hygiene into the spotlight, but passengers can take comfort in the fact that such incidents are exceptionally rare. At least three people have died aboard Oceanwide Expeditions' MV Hondius, which embarked on a remote journey from Argentina to Cape Verde on 1 April with 147 passengers on board.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported a total of seven hantavirus cases linked to the ship, comprising two confirmed and five suspected infections. Three individuals are scheduled for medical evacuation in Cape Verde, while the majority of passengers must remain on board until the vessel reaches the Canary Islands, a voyage anticipated to last three days. Oceanwide Expeditions has stated that there is no definitive disembarkation point for the remaining guests, but options such as sailing to Las Palmas or Tenerife are being evaluated, where further medical screening and handling could be arranged.
The Expedition Cruise Network, an industry group, issued a statement emphasising that member ships adhere to strict biosecurity protocols. The organisation expressed solidarity with those affected and confirmed its full support for Oceanwide Expeditions as the situation unfolds.
Can you catch hantavirus on a cruise ship?
Despite the high-profile nature of this outbreak, hantavirus cases are extremely uncommon. In fact, there are no other known instances of hantavirus occurring on a cruise ship. The virus is primarily transmitted through contact with rodents or their urine, saliva, or droppings, particularly when these materials are disturbed and become airborne, posing an inhalation risk. The WHO notes that while person-to-person transmission is possible, it is rare.
It remains unclear whether the outbreak originated on board or during an excursion. Passengers visited remote locations including Antarctica, South Georgia, Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena, and Ascension Island during the voyage. Dr Maria van Kerkhove, WHO Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, told BBC Breakfast: "We have a working hypothesis that there's probably a mixture of different types of transmission. This is also a boat that went to many different islands. They were looking at wildlife, they were looking at birds, and on some of these islands, there's rodents as well. So there could be a mixture of exposure to rodents in different places, but because some of the cases are close contacts, sharing cabins together, our assumption is that there's a bit of a mix."
Aside from this incident, no public data exists on hantavirus outbreaks on other cruise ships. A spokesperson for the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) stated: "We are aware of reports regarding cases of hantavirus associated with a recent voyage on a non-member cruise line. Our thoughts are with those affected. CLIA-member cruise lines are required to adhere to comprehensive health, safety and medical policies designed to detect, prevent and mitigate illness. Available public health data indicates that rates of illness on cruise ships are lower than in comparable land-based settings."
How common is norovirus on cruise ships?
While hantavirus is not a known issue on other cruise lines, stomach bugs and norovirus are more common concerns. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, leading to vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, and stomach pain. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded 23 norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships in 2025. These figures only cover ships that visit an American port, so the actual number is likely higher. However, with 30 million passengers worldwide each year, the risk of falling ill is minimal. CDC data suggests that passengers are more likely to become ill on land. Gastrointestinal issues occur at a rate of one in 5,500 at sea, accounting for roughly one per cent of all cases.
Will you get ill on a cruise?
Given that thousands of people congregate in a confined space, it is not surprising that illnesses can occur on cruises. This perception was reinforced during the pandemic when coronavirus cases escalated among passengers on the Diamond Princess, leading to a two-week quarantine in Japan. Negative media portrayals, such as HBO's documentary The Last Cruise, have also contributed to public concern.
Despite this, CDC data indicates that the most common settings for gastrointestinal illnesses are healthcare facilities, followed by restaurants or catered events, schools, and day care centres. Nicky Kelvin, editor at large of travel tips website The Points Guy, commented: "Passengers are not highly likely to become sick from hygiene-related causes on a cruise due to high standards of cleanliness, as well as rigorous inspections which have been implemented since 1970. Concerns about norovirus on cruises are a result of ships being required to report all cases of norovirus to authorities, compared with schools or nursing homes where norovirus is rampant but do not require reports."
How clean are cruise ships?
Cruise lines follow the International Health Regulations of the World Health Organisation and the CDC's Vessel Sanitisation Program (VSP). Requirements include health questionnaires for passengers before boarding and health declarations detailing illnesses on board to port authorities prior to docking. Each cruise ship undergoes multiple announced and unannounced inspections annually to ensure compliance with strict environmental and safety regulations. Under the VSP, ships must score at least 86 out of 100 points, covering cleanliness of cabins, galleys, dining rooms, swimming pools, and kids' clubs.
To meet these standards, cruise ships are routinely cleaned, with crew members regularly sanitising surfaces such as tables, handrails, door handles, and taps. Passengers are reminded to wash their hands when entering buffets and restaurants, and hand sanitisers are readily available in public areas. Members of the CLIA also follow guidelines requiring ships to have at least one qualified medical professional available for medical bay visits or cabin house calls. Andy Harmer, CLIA Managing Director, said: "The cruise industry's first priority is the health and safety of passengers, crew and the communities that we visit. Thanks to robust and rigorous protocols that cruise lines have put in place, cruise is one of the safest forms of travel. From cleaning practices that are often unparalleled in other settings to passenger screenings, cruise lines take extensive measures to keep their guests healthy."
What happens when there is an outbreak on a cruise?
If a passenger contracts norovirus or another contagious illness, they are typically quarantined in their cabin to prevent further spread. Jenni Fielding, who runs the Cruise Mummy blog, noted that the situation can change quickly during an outbreak. She explained: "I've experienced this on about 10 per cent of my cruises. When it happens, things like salt and pepper shakers disappear, replaced by individual sachets. You won't be allowed to serve your own drinks in the buffet; crew members will do it for you. You'll also see crew with buckets of disinfectant, scrubbing every surface between guests. If you do get sick, you'll be ordered to stay in your cabin until you've been symptom-free for 24 hours – and don't worry, room service is free."
To prevent illness, she advises avoiding touching handrails unless absolutely necessary and pressing elevator buttons with your knuckles. She added: "Little things like this help reduce the risk of catching anything. Since the pandemic, new cruise ships have been designed with extra hygiene measures in mind. Every restaurant now has handwashing sinks at the entrance, and some even have automatic hand-washing machines. Many cruise lines are also moving away from self-service buffets, with crew members plating up food instead. When Covid first hit, the idea of people being stuck on ships made for dramatic headlines. But that doesn't mean you're more likely to catch illnesses on a cruise ship. I've never stayed in a hotel or eaten in a restaurant where someone ensures every single person has clean hands before entering. On a cruise ship, that's just standard practice."
