Unexpected Arrival
Norwegian Dawn, a cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, was prevented from docking at Port Louis, Mauritius, on Sunday due to a health risk. The ship had arrived a day earlier than scheduled, after skipping its planned stop at Reunion Island.
According to the Mauritius Ports Authority, the decision was taken to avoid any health risks to the passengers and the country as a whole. The authority did not specify the nature of the health risk, but said it had taken samples from about 15 passengers who were in isolation on board. The test results would be known in 48 hours, the authority said.
A spokesperson for the cruise line said that some passengers had experienced mild symptoms of a stomach-related illness during the ship’s trip to South Africa on Feb. 13. The spokesperson said that the ship’s management had worked with the Mauritian authorities to ensure that all precautions were in place and that everyone on board was okay.
The ship has 2,184 passengers and 1,026 crew members. About 2,000 passengers were supposed to disembark in Port Louis after completing their cruise, while another 2,279 new passengers were expected to board the ship. The spokesperson said that those who were disembarking or joining the cruise would now do so on Feb. 27.
Impact on Tourism
Tourism is one of the major drivers of Mauritius’ economy. The island nation, known for its beaches and coral reefs, welcomed more than 1.3 million tourists in 2023, according to official statistics. However, the tourism sector has been hit hard by the global pandemic and travel restrictions, which have reduced the number of visitors and revenues.
Mauritius has been praised for its successful response to the pandemic, which has kept the number of cases and deaths low. As of Feb. 25, the country had reported 603 confirmed cases and 10 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. The country has also started its vaccination campaign, with the aim of inoculating 60% of its population by the end of 2024.
Challenges for Cruise Industry
The cruise industry, on the other hand, has been one of the worst affected by the pandemic, as several ships became hotspots for outbreaks and faced lockdowns, quarantines and lawsuits. Many cruise lines have suspended their operations or reduced their capacity and routes, while implementing strict health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which operates three cruise brands, has extended the suspension of its voyages until April 30, 2024. The company said it would continue to work with global health authorities and governments to resume operations in a safe and responsible manner.
The company also said it was optimistic about the future of cruising, as it had seen strong demand for bookings for the second half of 2024 and beyond. They said it had a loyal customer base and a high level of customer satisfaction, which would help it recover from the crisis and grow its business.
The company’s CEO, Frank Del Rio, said in a statement: “We are well-positioned to emerge from this unprecedented environment as a stronger, more efficient and innovative organization that will continue to deliver unparalleled vacation experiences to our guests and meaningful value to our stakeholders.”
Source: ReutersÂ
