Ask Onix
Cruise ship quarantined near Cape Verde after deadly virus outbreak
A luxury cruise liner carrying 150 passengers from 23 countries remains anchored off West Africa after three deaths and multiple hantavirus cases were confirmed on board. The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, has been stranded near Cape Verde since authorities denied docking clearance earlier this week.
Passengers describe uncertainty and contrasting reactions
American travel vlogger Jake Rosmarin, visibly emotional in a TikTok video, told followers on Monday: "We're not just a story. We're not just headlines-we're people with families, with lives, with people waiting for us at home." He described the atmosphere as tense, with passengers grappling with fear and a lack of clear information.
However, fellow travel influencer Kasem Hato offered a different perspective. In a social media post, he called the situation "blown out of proportion," attributing much of the panic to a single passenger's viral video-an apparent reference to Rosmarin. "The situation is under control," Hato said, adding that the majority of passengers remained calm, passing time with books, movies, and hot drinks.
Rosmarin later clarified in follow-up posts that he had taken time to process his emotions and confirmed that all passengers were being cared for by the crew. "I'm feeling well, getting fresh air, and continue to focus on the positive," he wrote.
Health authorities scramble as virus spreads
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Wednesday that three suspected hantavirus patients had been evacuated from the MV Hondius and were en route to the Netherlands for medical treatment. Two of the evacuees are experiencing acute symptoms, while the third had close contact with a passenger who died on May 2, 2026.
South Africa's health ministry revealed that the Andes strain of hantavirus-a rare but severe disease typically spread by rodents-had been identified in two individuals evacuated from the ship to South Africa. This strain is known to transmit between humans in close contact, raising concerns about further spread among passengers.
Oceanwide Expeditions stated that two infectious disease specialists from the Netherlands were traveling to meet the vessel after its anticipated departure from Cape Verde. The company emphasized that the atmosphere on board "remains calm," with passengers generally composed.
Timeline of the crisis
The MV Hondius set sail from Ushuaia, Argentina-the world's southernmost city-on April 1, embarking on a voyage billed as the "trip of a lifetime." The itinerary included stops at South Georgia, renowned for its penguin colonies, and Tristan da Cunha, the most remote inhabited island on Earth.
The first sign of trouble emerged on April 11, when a Dutch passenger died on board. Nearly two weeks later, his body was offloaded in St Helena, accompanied by his wife, who was later evacuated to South Africa. She died in a Johannesburg hospital, with authorities confirming hantavirus as the cause of death.
On April 27, a British passenger fell ill and was evacuated to South Africa, where they remain in critical but stable condition with a confirmed hantavirus infection. On May 2, a German national died on board, bringing the total fatalities to three. It remains unclear whether the German passenger was infected with the virus.
Docking disputes and next steps
Cape Verde initially refused to grant the MV Hondius clearance to dock, prompting Spain to offer the Canary Islands as an alternative. However, Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo publicly opposed the decision, arguing against allowing the vessel to dock in the archipelago.
Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed that the ship's current plan is to sail to the Canary Islands following the evacuation of the three patients in Cape Verde. Passengers, however, remain in limbo. One anonymous traveler told the BBC they were preparing for at least another three to four days at sea, adding, "At this point, we don't know when we will leave."
Onboard footage shared by passengers shows health officials in protective gear disembarking, while once-bustling lounges sit empty. Crew members have instructed passengers to practice social distancing, wear masks indoors, and sanitize their hands frequently.
A voyage turned nightmare
Rosmarin's earlier social media posts painted a stark contrast to the current crisis. In videos from the voyage's first weeks, he marveled at snow-capped mountains, autumnal shorelines, and encounters with wildlife. "Moments like this are hard to explain, but they're the ones that stay with you the most," he said while visiting Tristan da Cunha.
Now, nearly a month into the journey, the dream voyage has become a ordeal. As health authorities race to contain the outbreak, passengers are left waiting-hoping for clarity, safety, and a way home.
