Update: Test results came back early and there are no cases of cholera. The ship has been cleared to resume service. Guests will be permitted to embark Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Due to the two-day delay, the sailing is now a 10-day voyage that will not call on Madagascar and each port of call in South Africa has been adjusted. All guests will be provided compensation for the shortened cruise.
On Sunday, February 25, 2024, local authorities at Port Louis, Mauritius made the difficult decision to quarantine guests aboard Norwegian Dawn due to a gastrointestinal illness. Norwegian Dawn was sailing a 12-night one-way sailing from CapeTown, South Africa to Port Louis, Mauritius when a “small number” of passengers experienced a stomach illness with “mild symptoms.” Guests will not be able to disembark until test results come back to ensure it is not a cholera outbreak–about 48 hours.
A statement from Norwegian Cruise Line read, “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 wellbeing of all on board.”
“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 February 27, 2024.”
Health officials sampled about 15 passengers but it is not known if this is all passengers and crew members that are experiencing symptoms or if it is just a representative sample to confirm the illness.
The Mauritius Port Authority issued the following statement: “Officers from the Ministry of Health and Well-being this morning took samples from around fifteen passengers on board the cruise ship Norwegian Dawn due to a health risk. These passengers had been placed in isolation on board the cruise ship due to their state of health.”
Not only are the approximately 2,000 passengers that are onboard Norwegian Dawn unable to disembark, but also there are 2,279 passengers that were unable to embark for their cruise on Sunday. Impacted guests onboard the ship are being provided telephone access and free internet packages in order to make travel arrangements once they are able to disembark. Norwegian is also offering up to $300 reimbursement per person for travel change fees not covered by insurance. The cruise line is also offering a 15% discount for another sailing through December 31, 2025.
The cruise line is also offering hotel accommodations to those guests who are unable to embark on Norwegian Dawn for her next cruise.