Demand for cruises appears undimmed despite hantavirus and other onboard outbreaks
Industry experts say bookings remain strong as cruise lines expect 38.3 million ocean passengers this year despite recent onboard health scares.
- On Monday, the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius docked in Rotterdam for disinfection, with Oceanwide Expeditions coordinating the staggered disembarkation of 25 remaining crew members and two medical staff.
- The Andes hantavirus outbreak, which killed three passengers, began in April aboard the Dutch-flagged vessel carrying 147 people from 23 countries after likely exposure to infected rodents in South America.
- Health experts characterize the hantavirus risk as 'extremely low' because the Andes strain does not spread efficiently between humans, unlike norovirus or COVID-19, according to CDC data and the World Health Organization.
- CruiseCompete reported 31.7% more cabin bookings in early May, while cruise line Viking confirmed 92% of its 2026 cruises are already reserved, signaling robust demand despite recent headlines.
- Epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove said officials plan to analyze hantavirus genome sequences from South American rodents to understand viral circulation and prevent future 'spillover' events, as climate change may increase human-rodent overlap.
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Ships have been spreading diseases for centuries, but why?
Africa: From Medieval Plague Ships to Hantavirus - How Outbreaks At Sea Helped to Shape the International Public Health System
Analysis - Cruise ships are convenient floating hotels by which to see far-flung parts of the world - but as an epidemiologist, I know they are also everything an infectious pathogen could want: thousands of strangers packed into enclosed spaces for days or weeks, sharing dining rooms and high-touch surfaces such as elevator buttons and handrails, breathing recirculated air.
Hantavirus-hit cruise ship due to arrive at Rotterdam
The Hondius is just carrying crew and medical staff who will quarantine. Photo: Reuters Hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius is due to dock in Rotterdam on Monday for disinfection, with Dutch authorities preparing quarantine arrangements for the 25 crew members and two medical staff remaining on board.
The infamous journey of the MV Hondius reaches its final destination.
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