Norovirus is a contagious, food-borne virus that’s common on cruises.
French authorities ordered more than 1,700 people to remain onboard the Ambition cruise ship, operated by Ambition Cruise Line, when it docked in Bordeaux after about 50 people became ill. The ship is experiencing a norovirus outbreak—the second occurrence of such an outbreak on a cruise ship in one week.
Ambition is on a 14-night cruise with 1,187 guests and 514 crew members. The ship set sail from Belfast on May 8 and stopped in Liverpool on May 9. Upon arrival in France, the cruise line informed officials that there were ill passengers on board. French authorities stopped passengers from disembarking in Bordeaux and launched an investigation to determine the cause.
Later, French authorities allowed passengers without symptoms to disembark after determining the outbreak was due to norovirus. The authorities have now permitted the cruise to resume normal operations, and it will continue its journey to Spain.
There was a report that a 92-year-old passenger passed away on Sunday, but the death was unrelated to the outbreak. In another incident, a passenger was admitted to Bordeaux University Hospital due to a fall and is now in stable condition, according to a press release.
Last week, more than 100 passengers sailing on the Caribbean Princess also reported being ill. The cruise, operated by Princess Cruises, left Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 28 for a two-week itinerary. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that 145 passengers (of 3,116) and 15 crew members (of 1,131) fell ill during the journey due to norovirus. In response, the crew isolated affected people, increased sanitization measures, and collected samples for testing.
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Bahamian officials refused the ship clearance to dock in Nassau “out of an abundance of caution for their community, particularly as the island prepares for upcoming local elections in the coming day.” Princess Cruises said in a statement that it would refund passengers for pre-booked shore excursions.
Related: These Are the 9 Absolute Filthiest Places on a Cruise Ship
About Norovirus
First, norovirus is not like hantavirus, which recently impacted the MV Hondius cruise ship earlier this month. Hantavirus is much rarer and is caused by contact with infected rodents. There is no relation between these outbreaks, and you shouldn’t confuse the two.
Related: Should Travelers Be Worried About the Hantavirus Outbreak?
Norovirus spreads through direct contact with someone who is ill or through contaminated food, water, or surfaces. The most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. It can also lead to dehydration. While highly contagious, norovirus is not fatal, and most people recover within three days. There is no specific treatment, and the CDC advises people to watch for signs of dehydration.
In the United States, there are about 2,500 outbreaks of norovirus every year, affecting 19 to 21 million people. It is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the country, but cruise ships account for only 1% of these outbreaks. In 2025, 2,200 people fell ill on cruise ships in 18 norovirus outbreaks.
Cruise ships are particularly susceptible to norovirus outbreaks, so it is important to practice good hygiene while traveling. Wash your hands thoroughly—hand sanitizers alone are not sufficient—and wash fruits and vegetables before eating them. If you become ill, isolate yourself until you feel better. Note that you can still infect others up to two weeks after your symptoms resolve. Always inform the staff so they can disinfect affected areas and help prevent the spread of illness.
