The MV Hondius is returning to Rotterdam after a hantavirus outbreak; 27 people remain on board under quarantine and none are symptomatic. Oceanwide Expeditions says the vessel will undergo thorough cleaning, but upcoming sailings— including a May 29 Arctic cruise from Keflavik—are unconfirmed pending official clearance. Experts say standard disinfectants and UV treatment should inactivate the virus, though the exact timeline depends on environmental factors and health-authority approvals. The WHO has reported 11 linked cases (eight confirmed as the Andes virus) and three deaths; further cases may emerge given a roughly 40-day incubation period.
When Will MV Hondius Be Cleared to Sail? Hantavirus Outbreak Puts May 29 Arctic Cruise in Doubt
The 'MV Hondius' cruise shipCredit: Europa Press Canarias via Getty
The expedition ship MV Hondius is en route to its home port of Rotterdam after a hantavirus outbreak, and its upcoming sailings remain uncertain as authorities assess the situation.
Current Status
On May 13, operator Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed the vessel was sailing to Rotterdam with 27 people on board: 25 crew members and two medical staff assigned by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). The company reported that none of those on board were showing symptoms linked to hantavirus infection.
Disembarkation and Quarantine
The Hondius is expected to arrive in Rotterdam on Monday, May 18. Authorities plan a staggered disembarkation, and all individuals will be processed under strict quarantine measures ordered by Dutch health officials. Local authorities will oversee the clearance and any required testing.
The 'MV Hondius' cruise shipCredit: AFP via Getty
Cleaning, Decontamination and Clearance
Oceanwide says the ship will undergo a "thorough cleaning and disinfecting process," though specific decontamination steps are still being finalized with local authorities. Public-health experts contacted by reporters say normal disinfectants and ultraviolet (UV) treatment are effective against hantaviruses, and routine sanitation should in many cases render surfaces noninfectious.
Impact on Upcoming Sailings
According to Oceanwide's website, the MV Hondius was scheduled to depart Keflavik, Iceland, on May 29 for a seven-day Arctic cruise. The operator initially told the Associated Press it did not "foresee changes to our operations," but later said it expected clarity on the sailing and schedule by the end of the week, emphasizing that a ship cannot depart without official authorization. Whether the May 29 departure will proceed has not been confirmed.
Expert Guidance
Erik Hill, a virology expert at Seton Hall University, told reporters that standard disinfectants and UV light are sufficient to inactivate hantaviruses and that the virus does not persist well on frequently touched surfaces. Dr. Max Brito, vice president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, said, "With proper disinfection and sterilization practices, I think it should be OK to go back to operations within a reasonable time," while noting that exact timing depends on environmental conditions and official clearance.
Case Count and Outlook
As of May 12, the World Health Organization had been notified of 11 hantavirus cases linked to the MV Hondius, eight of which were laboratory-confirmed as the Andes virus — a rare strain capable of human-to-human transmission. The outbreak has been associated with three deaths. Given the virus's incubation period of roughly 40 days, health officials warn that additional cases could still emerge among passengers who have disembarked and remain in quarantine.
Bottom line: Authorities will determine when the ship is safe to carry new passengers after staggered disembarkation, quarantine procedures and a documented decontamination and clearance process. Official authorization is required before any scheduled sailing can proceed.
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