Two social media influencers have recounted their experiences on the MV Hondius, a cruise ship currently facing a hantavirus outbreak.
Jake Rosmarin, an American influencer, expressed feelings of anxiety and uncertainty following the deaths of three passengers and several suspected cases of infection, as the ship remains unable to dock in Cape Verde.
The Spanish health authorities have announced plans to accept the vessel and its passengers in the Canary Islands, while cruise operators are organizing the evacuation of three individuals to the Netherlands.
Rosmarin’s journey was intended to be a remarkable adventure, taking him from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Verde, a journey across the South Atlantic Ocean.
“This was one of the most thrilling moments of my travels,” Rosmarin stated as he sailed towards Tristan Da Cunha, known as the most remote inhabited island globally.
However, mere days later, his initial enthusiasm was replaced by distress and confusion.
“What we are experiencing is very real for all of us here,” Rosmarin remarked while still on board the affected vessel.
The MV Hondius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, is undertaking a 34-day cruise with 147 passengers and crew members onboard. The ship gained international attention after the hantavirus outbreak resulted in three fatalities.
“We are not merely a headline; we are human beings,” Rosmarin emphasized. “There are people waiting for us back home.”
According to the latest information from the World Health Organization (WHO), two cases have been confirmed through laboratory testing, with five additional cases suspected. One individual is in critical condition, while three others are experiencing mild symptoms.
The WHO stated, “The outbreak is being managed through an international coordinated response, which includes thorough investigations, isolation and care for cases, medical evacuations, and laboratory assessments.”
Ruhi Çenet, a Turkish content creator and travel blogger, was also on the MV Hondius but chose to disembark after the announcement of the first death.
“Initially, I thought the death was due to rough seas,” Çenet mentioned in an Instagram video. “But it appears the situation is far more serious than we were led to believe.”
Çenet shared a video clip of an Oceanwide Expeditions representative informing passengers of the tragic news regarding a fellow traveler.
In the video, an unnamed staff member reassured, “The doctor has told us we are not contagious. The ship is safe in that regard.”
Çenet continues to keep the remaining passengers in his thoughts but criticized the Oceanwide Expeditions team for not implementing quarantine protocols sooner. “I wish they had taken this issue more seriously from the beginning,” he remarked.
Initially, Cape Verde prohibited the MV Hondius from docking, but the Spanish Health Ministry has confirmed it will permit the ship’s arrival in the Canary Islands.
Oceanwide Expeditions has announced that three individuals will be evacuated to Cape Verde in specialized aircraft before being transported to the Netherlands for further medical care.
The company stated, “Our intention is to navigate to the Canary Islands, either Gran Canaria or Tenerife, which will take approximately three days of sailing. We are in discussions with the relevant authorities.”
Rosmarin, who remains onboard, conveyed, “There is a significant amount of uncertainty, and that is the most challenging aspect. All we desire now is to feel safe, gain clarity, and return home.”
