Norwegian Dawn allowed to dock in Mauritius following Cholera scare onboard

Norwegian Dawn, sailing the tail-end of her 12-night cruise from Cape Town, South Africa to Port Luis, Mauritius, has been allowed to dock after health authorities in the island nation determined there is no cholera onboard.

Norwegian Dawn was initially blocked from entering port when at least 15 passengers were placed in isolation with a stomach illness authorities feared was cholera. The director of Mauritius Ministry of Health has now confirmed the passengers had gastroenteritis, not cholera.

Southern Africa is currently suffering a cholera outbreak that has infected 188,000 people and killed 3,000 across seven countries, including 1,076 cases in South Africa and at least 47 deaths over the past two years.

Dr Bhooshun Ori said the passengers aboard Norwegian Dawn have now “fully recovered”, and justified placing the entire vessel under quarantine “to avoid any health risks”. According to the BBC, passengers spirits during the quarantine remained high, with entertainment carrying on as normal.

All passengers were screened for illnesses consistent with cholera and gastroenteritis upon disembarking and Norwegian Dawn will continue with her scheduled 12-night return itinerary to Cape Town on February 27^th, two days later than planned due to the delay.

“During Norwegian Dawn’s Feb. 13, 2024, South Africa voyage, a small number of guests experienced mild symptoms of a stomach-related illness,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement.

“Upon the ship’s return to Port Louis, Mauritius, the vessel’s management team met with local authorities to confirm precautions and actions were being taken to ensure the well-being of all onboard,” it added.

“Due to additional testing being required by local authorities before being allowed entry, the government of Mauritius has delayed disembarkation for the current cruise and embarkation for the next cruise by two days to Feb. 27, 2024.”

Norwegian Dawn arrived in Mauritius on Saturday evening, a day early because it did not stop in Réunion Island due to the outbreak concerns. There are 2,184 passengers and 1,026 crew members on the ship.

All her passengers disembarked in Mauritius as planned and a new set of passengers will board for her voyage back to Cape Town. Norwegian Dawn is in the midst of her 2024 South African cruise season, sailing a range of roundtrip Cape Town cruises, as well as voyages between South Africa and Mauritius.