It’s finally over for the MV Hondius. After a journey that turned into a global health scare, the cruise ship docked in Rotterdam harbor this Monday, May 18, 2026. The vibe on board? Tense but relieved.
What Happened? 😷
The drama started back on May 2, when the World Health Organization (WHO) first received reports of a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses on the ship. It turned out to be hantavirus—a rare virus that is particularly concerning because there are currently no vaccines or specific treatments available for it.
Sadly, the outbreak has claimed three lives: a Dutch couple and a German woman. 🕊️
The Great Evacuation ✈️
Things ramped up on May 10 when the ship arrived in the Canary Islands. More than 120 passengers and crew were evacuated to their home countries or to the Netherlands. The journey home wasn't easy for everyone; for example, a 65-year-old French woman became symptomatic during her repatriation flight and ended up in critical condition at a Paris hospital.
While seven patients have had confirmed cases and one other is a probable case, many others who were evacuated have already tested negative.
Is it a New Pandemic? 🌍
With the world still mindful of past health crises, the WHO has been working hard to reassure everyone that this is not a repeat of the Covid pandemic. They've stressed that hantavirus contagion is very rare and are currently maintaining a "low risk" assessment.
However, health experts warn that because the virus has an incubation period of several weeks, a few more cases could potentially pop up among those who were on board.
The Final Stop ⚓
As of today, the remaining skeleton crew—consisting of 25 crew members and two medical staff—has finally disembarked. This group is a global mix, including residents from the Philippines, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, and the Netherlands. Some are heading to quarantine facilities at the port, while others will self-isolate at home.
Now that the ship is safely docked, it will undergo a thorough deep cleaning and disinfection process to ensure it's safe once again. Stay safe out there, explorers! ✨
Reference(s):
Journey's end for hantavirus cruise ship as it docks in Rotterdam
cgtn.com
