DAKAR: More than 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members are stranded on board a cruise ship off the East African island of Mauritius, the US company Norwegian Cruise Line said on Sunday.
A small number of guests on the Norwegian Dawn experienced mild symptoms of stomach illness on the twelve-day voyage from South Africa, the Norwegian Cruise Line said.
“Due to additional testing being required by local authorities before being allowed entry, the government of Mauritius has delayed disembarkation for the current cruise and embarkation for the next cruise by two days to Feb 27, 2024,” a statement from the company said, reported German news agency (dpa).
The majority of passengers were due to start their journey home this Sunday, while new travellers were due to board in the Mauritian capital Port Louis. In a letter dated Sunday, made available to dpa, the captain informed the passengers that they would not be leaving the ship in Port Louis for the time being.
The cruise ship set sail from South Africa on Feb 13. According to the company the Norwegian Dawn, which was built in 2002, has space for up to 2,340 guests and 1,032 crew members on board.
The company said they had increased hygiene measures on board the ship as part of routine measures to ensure a safe environment. – BERNAMA-dpa
