More than 1,700 people banned from leaving British cruise ship docked in France over likely stomach flu outbreak

More than 1,700 passengers and crew members have been ordered not to leave their cruise ship while French health officials carry out tests after a likely stomach flu outbreak onboard. 

The cruise liner Ambition, which set sail from Belfast on 8 May, on a 14-night tour of western France and Spain, has seen dozens of cases of suspected gastroenteritis among those onboard.

The vessel called at Liverpool on Saturday and cases of gastroenteritis were said to have risen after passengers boarded at that stop.

There is no reason to link what looks like a stomach flu outbreak on the ship with the hantavirus cluster on ‌the luxury MV Hondius ship, the regional health authority said.

Gastroenteritis is the most common cause of the "winter vomiting bug" or "stomach flu".

Ambassador Cruise Line confirmed that as of 13 May, there were 48 active cases of gastrointestinal illness onboard Ambition among guests, and one case among the crew.

The company also confirmed that a 92-year-old man died onboard on Friday, but stressed the guest did not report any gastrointestinal illness symptoms and the cause of death has yet to be established, pending a coroner's report.

French authorities made the decision ahead of the vessel's scheduled call into Bordeaux.

While docked in the French city, authorities carried out a routine review of the ship's health status and records.

While on board, the specialist medical team collected existing samples for laboratory testing at Bordeaux University Hospital, with results requiring a minimum of six hours to be processed.

Passengers and crew will only be able to disembark once clearance is granted after the investigation and testing are completed.

Guests who were due to travel on excursions will receive a full refund, the company said.

Essex-based operator, Ambassador Cruise Line, said in a statement: "The health, safety and well-being of our guests and crew remains our highest priority, and we are sincerely grateful for the patience, understanding and cooperation shown while these precautionary measures remain in place.

"We continue to work closely with the relevant authorities and will provide further updates as soon as additional information becomes available."

The ship is carrying a total of 1,187 guests, the majority of who are British, and 514 crew.

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Enhanced sanitation was put in place across the ship following the initial reports of illness, a spokesperson for the cruise liner added.

These include increased cleaning and disinfection measures in public areas, assisted service in selected dining venues and ongoing guidance to guests regarding hand hygiene.

Viral gastroenteritis is often caused by viruses like norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus.

While an initial infection often provides some immunity, it's possible to catch a stomach virus in back-to-back weeks, usually due to a different strain.

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