The cruise ship MV Hondius docked in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Monday morning after a harrowing seven-week voyage marked by a hantavirus outbreak that resulted in three deaths and up to 11 infections. The vessel arrived just after 4:30 a.m. ET for disinfection following an 8,500-mile journey that began as a nature-sightseeing expedition.
Upon arrival in Rotterdam, only Captain Jan Dobrogowski and 26 crew members remained on board the ship. Most passengers, including 18 Americans, are currently under quarantine in their home countries. The body of a German man who died at sea was also on the vessel when it docked.
Main Developments in the Hantavirus Cruise Ship Case
The MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, 2026, carrying almost 150 people on what was intended to be a nature-sightseeing expedition to remote islands. The voyage took a tragic turn when a communicable strain of hantavirus, primarily spread by rodents, began affecting those on board.
The outbreak resulted in up to 11 infections during the seven-week journey. Three people died as a result of the hantavirus outbreak, though the identities of all the deceased have not been fully disclosed. The ship traveled approximately 8,500 miles before reaching its final destination in the Netherlands.
By the time the vessel arrived in Rotterdam on May 18, 2026, all 27 people who remained on board were asymptomatic. This group consisted of Captain Jan Dobrogowski and 26 crew members who stayed with the ship throughout the final leg of the journey.
What We Know So Far
The hantavirus cruise ship situation involves several confirmed facts that authorities and health officials have established during this outbreak:
The ship originally carried almost 150 people when it departed from Ushuaia, Argentina. During the voyage, up to 11 people became infected with a communicable strain of hantavirus. This particular strain is primarily spread by rodents, according to health officials.
Three deaths occurred as a result of the outbreak. A German man who died at sea was confirmed to be on the ship when it arrived in Rotterdam. The identities of the other two individuals who died have not been publicly confirmed.
The 18 Americans who were among the passengers are currently under quarantine in their home countries, along with other passengers from the expedition. The quarantine measures were implemented as part of protocols to prevent further spread of the virus.
All 27 individuals who remained on board the MV Hondius when it docked in Rotterdam were asymptomatic at the time of arrival. This includes the captain and the 26 crew members who stayed with the vessel.
What Happens Next
Following the ship’s arrival in Rotterdam, disembarkation procedures began under strict cleaning and quarantine protocols. On Monday night, twenty crew members and two medical staff disembarked from the vessel.
Five crew members will remain on board temporarily before disembarking at a later time. These crew members are following the established protocols that Oceanside Expeditions has put in place for handling the aftermath of the outbreak.
The MV Hondius will undergo disinfection procedures now that it has arrived at the port in Rotterdam. The vessel requires thorough cleaning given the nature of the hantavirus outbreak that occurred during the seven-week voyage.
Important Details About the Outbreak
The hantavirus strain involved in this outbreak is described as communicable and primarily spread by rodents. Hantavirus infections can cause severe respiratory illness and can be fatal in some cases, as demonstrated by the three deaths that occurred during this voyage.
The journey from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Rotterdam, Netherlands, covered approximately 8,500 miles over the course of seven weeks. The ship departed on April 1, 2026, and arrived at its destination on May 18, 2026.
Passengers who left the ship before its arrival in Rotterdam are under quarantine in their respective home countries. The 18 Americans are among those following quarantine protocols, though the specific duration of these quarantine periods has not been confirmed.
The disembarkation process in Rotterdam followed a structured approach. The majority of the crew and medical staff left the ship Monday night, while a small group of five crew members remained on board to disembark later according to the established protocols.
The Voyage and Its Tragic Turn
The MV Hondius set out from Ushuaia, Argentina, a port city often used as a departure point for expeditions to remote and pristine natural areas. The ship was on a nature-sightseeing expedition designed to take passengers to remote islands.
Almost 150 people were originally on board when the expedition began on April 1, 2026. The voyage was intended to be an opportunity for passengers to experience wildlife and natural landscapes in some of the world’s most isolated regions.
The outbreak changed the course of the expedition dramatically. As infections occurred and deaths followed, the ship continued its journey toward Rotterdam, where it could receive proper disinfection and where crew members could disembark under controlled conditions.
Captain Jan Dobrogowski remained in command of the vessel throughout the crisis, guiding the ship and its reduced complement through the final weeks of the voyage to reach the Netherlands safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people died from hantavirus on the MV Hondius?
Three people died as a result of the hantavirus outbreak during the seven-week voyage from Argentina to the Netherlands.
How many infections occurred on the hantavirus cruise ship?
Up to 11 infections occurred during the voyage. The hantavirus strain involved is communicable and primarily spread by rodents.
Where did the MV Hondius cruise ship dock for disinfection?
The MV Hondius docked in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on May 18, 2026, just after 4:30 a.m. ET for disinfection procedures.
Are American passengers affected by the hantavirus outbreak?
Yes, 18 Americans were among the passengers on the MV Hondius and are currently under quarantine in their home countries along with other passengers from the expedition.
How long was the MV Hondius voyage?
The voyage lasted seven weeks and covered approximately 8,500 miles from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The arrival of the MV Hondius in Rotterdam marks the end of a tragic voyage that transformed a nature-sightseeing expedition into a public health emergency. Authorities continue to manage the aftermath through quarantine protocols and disinfection procedures as the remaining crew members complete the disembarkation process.
