The cruise is still free, but given the circumstances, passengers probably would have skipped it.
Two mooring permits were rejected in quick succession, the first on the island of La Réunion and the second on Mauritius. Nobody wants the “Norwegian Dawn” in port. This luxury liner is not welcome due to a suspected cholera epidemic. On board: 2,184 customers and 1,000 crew members. Everyone is in quarantine, the Blick media reports.
Cholera: 3,000 deaths since mid-January
After leaving South Africa on February 13, the floating palace was scheduled to end its journey in Mauritius on Saturday, February 25. However, the cruise continues: the Norwegian Dawn – hygiene measures have been tightened on board – has to swim in circles while it waits for the results of the tests carried out on about fifteen passengers who have diseases suggestive of cholera.
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If the authorities are so cautious – or so reserved – it is because southern Africa is currently experiencing one of the worst cholera epidemics in recent years: more than 3,000 deaths have been recorded in thirteen countries since mid-January.
The disease is caused by a bacterium that colonizes the intestines and is transmitted primarily through contaminated water or food.
No more buffet on board
The passengers trapped on this five-star boat take things more or less philosophically. “Everything is normal and we are having fun”one of them reassured. “We had barely left Cape Town when they knew there was a problemannoys someone else. The buffet was gone. We were served with gloves. There were rumors of gastroenteritis (…) Suddenly we learned that the health authorities would intervene. The suspicion of a cholera epidemic was only raised very late..
The results of the tests are expected in the coming hours. If the cholera test is negative, the liner could be allowed to dock in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, this Tuesday.
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