MS Artania, operated by Phoenix Reisen, is currently confronting a significant norovirus outbreak.
The ship left from Bremerhaven (Germany) on a 14-night roundtrip Norwegian Fjords voyage titled "Nordkap, Lofoten und Fjordnorwegen". A sharp rise in cases was recorded while navigating toward Norway's port of Bronnoysund.
Illness among passengers escalated from ~50 cases (Tuesday) to ~200 (Wednesday). The affected have been quarantined to their staterooms to prevent further transmission.
Norovirus, often termed “cruise ship virus” for its propensity to spread quickly in enclosed environments, presents symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea, which several onboard guests are reportedly suffering.
Local health authorities have confirmed the outbreak and are observing the situation closely, mindful that the virus’s 48-hour incubation period may reveal further cases ashore. To bolster onboard medical efforts, an additional physician and nurse have been dispatched to support the ship’s care team.
According to the ship’s agent, remedial measures are underway, including a thorough restock of sanitising supplies locally to mitigate spread.
The crew has implemented strict isolation protocols and continues to monitor all passengers for emerging symptoms.
With its capacity to carry approximately 1,200 guests, Artania now faces the challenge of containing the outbreak as it proceeds to upcoming ports. Authorities underscore that such outbreaks are common aboard cruise vessels, and managed isolation together with medical oversight is standard practice.
As the ship continues its voyage north, additional case developments may surface, but for now, operations remain focused on health containment and supporting affected passengers.
For more Artania incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.