- Mauritius refused entry to a Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings vessel, citing health concerns, and collected samples from around 15 isolated guests onboard, as per the port authority’s statement on Sunday.
- The Norwegian Dawn, scheduled to dock at Port Louis, arrived a day earlier as it hadn’t visited Reunion Island. The decision to deny port access aimed to mitigate potential health risks, according to the Mauritius Ports Authority.
- The authorities prioritize the well-being of guests and the nation, withholding specific details about the nature of health risks. Symptoms of stomach-related illnesses were reported among guests during the vessel’s trip to South Africa on February 13, 2024.
- The vessel’s management cooperated with Mauritian authorities upon arrival, implementing strict precautions for all individuals onboard, as per a spokesperson from the U.S.-based Norwegian Cruise Line.
- Test reports from the port authority were expected within 48 hours. The Mauritius Health Ministry officials were not immediately available for comment.
Norwegian Cruise Ship Due To Health Concerns
On Sunday, the port authority of Mauritius announced that it prevented a Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings vessel from docking at its ports due to perceived health risks. Samples were collected from approximately 15 guests who had been in isolation on the vessel.
The Norwegian Dawn was all set to dock at Port Louis on Sunday. As it hadn’t gone to Reunion Island, it reached Port Louis a day prior, the Mauritius Ports Authority mentioned in a statement. The authority stated that the decision not to permit the cruise vessel access to the quay had been taken to avoid any health risks.
The good health and safety of guests and that of the nation are priorities to the authorities, it stated, without sharing any details of the type of health risks. A spokesperson associated with the U.S.-headquartered Norwegian Cruise Line said that while on the vessel’s trip to South Africa on 13 February 2024, some guests experienced symptoms of stomach-related illnesses.
Awaited Test Reports After Arrival At Port Louis
Once at Port Louis, the vessel’s management collaborated with the Mauritian authorities to ensure that stringent precautions were in place and every individual on board was exemplary, the spokesperson said. The port authority added that its test reports would arrive in 48 hours.
The officials at the Mauritius Health Ministry weren’t reachable immediately for comment. The vessel has 2,184 guests and 1,026 crew members. The port authority stated that nearly 2,000 guests would have disembarked at Port Louis on completing the cruise, while 2,279 new guests were likely to board the vessel.
Cruise Boarding Restricted Due To Health Concerns
It said that guests due to board the Norwegian Dawn ship and embark on the cruise from Mauritius wouldn’t be able to do so owing to possible health risks. The spokesperson associated with the Norwegian Cruise Line informed those who were joining/disembarking will do the same on 27 February. Tourism is among the key drivers of Mauritius’s economy.
A Dutch passenger on the vessel told BN DeStem that they had been notified by the captain that there might be a cholera outbreak. There have been recorded incidents of cholera outbreaks in southern Africa over the past few months, and Zambia was the most brutal hit.
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Source: marineinsight
