Norovirus outbreak aboard Phoenix Reisen's Artania raises containment alarms

   July 13, 2025 ,   Accidents

The cruise vessel Artania, operated by Phoenix Reisen, is currently confronting a significant norovirus outbreak. The ship, which departed Bremerhaven (Germany) on a 14-night voyage through the Norwegian fjords, recorded a sharp rise in cases while navigating toward Brønnøysund (Norway).

Illness among passengers escalated from approximately 50 cases on Tuesday to around 200 by Wednesday. Those affected have been confined to their cabins 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.