Two Irish passengers are among those confined to their cabins aboard a luxury cruise ship struck by a deadly virus outbreak.
The MV Hondius, carrying around 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries, has become the centre of an international health emergency after a hantavirus outbreak led to three deaths, including a Dutch couple and a German national.
A number of others have fallen ill or are being monitored for symptoms, with health authorities identifying seven suspected cases in total.
Among those unable to leave the vessel are two Irish nationals, now part of a group of passengers living under strict public health restrictions as efforts continue to contain the spread of the virus.
Passengers have been confined to their cabins while extensive disinfection measures are carried out across the ship. Despite the seriousness of the situation, accounts from on board suggest a subdued but resilient atmosphere, with many trying to maintain a sense of normality as uncertainty hangs over the voyage.
“Our days have been close to normal, just waiting for authorities to find a solution,” said passenger Qasem Elhato, describing how people are passing the time reading, watching films and keeping occupied with small routines.
Others have pointed to the psychological strain of not knowing what happens next. American travel vlogger Jake Rosmarin, who is also on board, described the emotional toll of the situation, saying: “There’s a lot of uncertainty and that is the hardest part. All we want right now is to feel safe, to have clarity and to get home.”
@abcnewsaus US travel blogger Jake Rosmarin has shared a tearful post on social media from on board a cruise ship on which 3 people have died after a suspected outbreak of rodent-borne hantavirus. Cape Verde health authorities have banned the luxury cruise ship from docking at the port of Praia and about 150 people are stuck on the boat. The National Directorate of Health of the Atlantic Ocean archipelago nation says all necessary safeguards are being put in place, including preparations for possible medical evacuations by air ambulance. It says the situation is under control and there's currently no risk to the population on land. The cruise ship company, Oceanwide Expeditions, says two staff members need urgent medical care as the World Health Organization steps in. Reporting via AP/Reuters. #Hantavirus #Cruise #Ship #CapeVerde #ABCNews ♬ original sound - ABC News Australia
Belgian passenger Helene Goessaert said communication from officials has been consistent, though it does little to ease the sense of limbo. “It is accurate. For the rest, it is a waiting game,” she said, noting that even small developments—such as the delivery of fresh fruit and vegetables—have taken on outsized importance for those confined to their rooms.
“That was very important to us,” she added, highlighting how daily comforts have become central to maintaining morale.
The outbreak has transformed what was marketed as a high-end Antarctic expedition into a prolonged and uncertain ordeal. The cruise, which departed from Argentina, had offered passengers a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with berth prices ranging from $16,000 to $25,000. Instead, those on board now find themselves navigating a public health crisis in isolation.
Health experts believe the initial infections may have occurred before passengers even boarded the ship, particularly linked to travel in Argentina. However, there are also indications that some transmission may have taken place during the voyage itself. The World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested that close contact between passengers could have contributed, while potential exposure during bird-watching excursions to remote islands—where rodents known to carry the virus are present—has also been examined.
Hantavirus is a rare but serious disease typically spread through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. There were no reports of rats on board the vessel itself, but the nature of the expedition—focused on wildlife and remote environments—has complicated efforts to pinpoint exactly how the virus spread.
For now, life on board remains defined by routine, restriction and resilience. Passengers continue to receive regular updates and basic supplies, while holding onto hope that the situation will eventually be resolved.
As one passenger put it: “We’re not just a story. We’re not just headlines, we’re people with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home.”
