Press update | m/v Hondius: 9 May 2026, 13:30 hrs CET | News

9 May 2026, 13:30 hrs CET

Oceanwide Expeditions continues to work towards a conclusion to the medical situation on board m/v Hondius.

The three individuals transferred by medicalized aircraft from m/v Hondius to the Netherlands on 6 May remain under the care and screening of medical professionals. More information is available via the WHO and other responsible authorities. We refer to the statement and press conference issued by the WHO on 7 May: https://www.who.int/news/item/07-05-2026-who-s-response-to-hantavirus-cases-linked-to-a-cruise-ship

Oceanwide Expeditions is thankful that authorities and experts continue to further investigate the possible source of this hantavirus cluster. We are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. We also thank all involved parties regarding the successful transfer by medicalized aircraft of three individuals on 6 May.

No symptomatic individuals are present on board m/v Hondius. Guests and crew continue to follow the guidance of onboard medical personnel, and medical monitoring continues. This is being led by the four medical personnel who boarded the vessel prior to its departure from Cape Verde on 6 May. The atmosphere on board continues to remain positive.

Following the directive of relevant authorities, provisionally, m/v Hondius remains estimated to arrive at the port of Granadilla, Tenerife, in the early hours of Sunday, 10 May. Preparations regarding our point of arrival, quarantine and screening procedures for all guests, and the onward travel plans for all guests and crew are being led by organizations from a number of countries, including the WHO, RIVM, and Dutch authorities, in close cooperation with Spanish government authorities.

All guests and a limited number of crew members of m/v Hondius are expected to disembark at Granadilla. After disembarkation, arrangements are being made, guided by the WHO, RIVM, and Dutch authorities, for m/v Hondius to transit to the Netherlands.

We refer all inquiries regarding the process for guests departing the vessel and potential screening procedures to the WHO and involved parties, including consular representatives of onboard nationalities. Oceanwide Expeditions is not involved in the planning and facilitation of guest screening and repatriation.

There is one revision to our passenger nationality list published 8 May 19:00 hrs CET: one Congolese individual was erroneously stated as being a Dutch national. This individual is one of the medical staff who embarked the vessel on 6 May. For administrative purposes, all medical staff are listed as passengers, not as crew.

All media inquiries should be directed to: Mrs. Kiki Hirschfeldt: [email protected]

For all other matters, we refer to our previous press updates. The unchanged list of previous official communications is as follows:

8 May 2026, 19:00 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/press-update-m-v-hondius-8-may-2026-19-00-hrs-cet

7 May 2026, 17:15 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/press-update-m-v-hondius-7-may-2026-17-15-hrs-cet

7 May 2026, 11:30 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/press-update-m-v-hondius-7-may-2026-11-30-hrs-cet

6 May 2026, 22:45 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/blog/press-update-m-v-hondius-6-may-2026-22-45-hrs-cet

6 May 2026, 14:45 hrs CET

https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/press/press-update-6-may-2026-14-45-hrs-cet