More Than 2,000 Stuck On Cruise Ship Because Of Mystery Illness

TOPLINE

A Norwegian Cruise Line is stuck off the coast of Mauritius after some passengers on a South African voyage were quarantined after experiencing a stomach illness aboard the ship, and local authorities decided to prevent any other passengers on the massive ship from disembarking until test results come back.

KEY FACTS

The Norwegian Cruise Line said “a small number” of guests aboard the ship began experiencing mild symptoms of a stomach-related illness earlier this week.

The Norwegian Dawn was scheduled to arrive in Port Louis on Feb. 25, but after the boat skipped its Reunion Island stop it arrived earlier at Port Louis, where authorities said the ship could not dock, the Mauritius Ports Authority said Sunday.

The Mauritius Ministry of Health took samples from about 15 passengers on board the Dawn—which was on a 12-day cruise from Cape Town to Port Louis—because of the ongoing health risk and isolated them aboard the boat, according to the authority said.

Until testing is complete, Mauritius would not let anyone leave or board the ship for the next cruise until Tuesday, Norwegian said in a statement.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

It will take about 48 hours for health officials to receive the test results from the 15 passengers they tested.

WHAT WE DON’T KNOW

It’s unclear exactly how many passengers or crew members are sick. Officials only said they tested 15 individuals.

BIG NUMBER

2,184. That’s how many passengers are aboard the Norwegian Dawn, along with 1,026 crew members, according to the Mauritius Ports Authority. About 2,000 passengers were scheduled to disembark the cruise Sunday but are still aboard the boat. Some 2,279 new passengers were scheduled to board the ship in Port Louis on Sunday but have not yet done so, the Mauritius Ports Authority said. U.S.-based Norwegian Cruise Line said it is providing guests complimentary hotel accommodations until “they are able to board.”