Cork woman on hantavirus-hit cruise ship faces quarantine with no clear route home

Cork passenger says travellers expect quarantine in Canary Islands but remain unsure how they will return to Ireland

The MV Hondius, a Polar Class 6 passenger vessel, at sea. (Oceanwide Expeditions via AP)

A Cork woman on board a hantavirus-hit cruise ship has said she and her travelling companion from Dublin expect to be placed in quarantine when they leave the vessel, but have no clear plan for returning to Ireland.

Ann Lane, from Millstreet, said she has been told that the approximately 150 people on board the MV Hondius are to be taken to the Canary Islands.

Three people with the suspected virus have been medically evacuated from the vessel which means the ship can now continue on its three-day journey to the Canary Islands after Spanish authorities gave permission for the vessel to dock.

After arriving in around three days, passengers expect to be held for a period to ensure they do not have the virus, which has so far killed three passengers and left three more in critical condition.

She joked in an interview with the Irish Examiner that she hoped she would get help returning to Ireland, adding that she cannot swim.

Ms Lane said she broke down in tears when she heard that the last two seriously ill crew members — one of whom is the ship’s doctor — had been medevaced from the vessel.

“There was so much trauma until today,” the 80-year-old author said. “We weren’t thinking about ourselves here on the ship.

“We just kept thinking about those poor men down in their cabins and very sick and the others who had died.

“So, this is all very new now for us to know that everyone on board appears to be fit and well and we could all be on the move again."

Asked if she had sought help from contacts from her political past, Ms Lane — who has worked with a number of politicians, including former president Mary Robinson and Labour’s Ivana Bacik — said: “I have not asked anybody to do anything. I just haven’t really thought about it.

“I am just so happy but at the same quite emotional about it all, and great that those two men have been taken off and are now being properly cared for.” 

Ms Lane, who received a call from her former colleague, Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik, on Thursday morning, added: “I know none of the passengers can be taken out on a normal passenger, tourist plane to get home.

“I don’t know what the plan is when we get to the Canaries, but that is now up to the WHO as they are now on board.

“I think there will be some strict screening going on but I just assume countries will arrange some type of travel for passengers to get back to their homes.

“I don’t know what will happen as far as myself and my travelling companion from Dublin, but I hope something can be arranged. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Ms Lane again joked that she hoped something would be arranged, saying: “I can’t swim.”

An aerial view of the MV Hondius Dutch cruise ship anchored in the Atlantic off Cape Verde, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Arilson Almeida)

A spokesperson for the polar cruise operator said: “Oceanwide Expeditions continues to respond to an ongoing medical situation aboard m/v Hondius.

“Following the advice of the Dutch Institute for Public Health and Environment, two infectious disease physicians will embark m/v Hondius and remain with the vessel after its anticipated departure from Cape Verde.

“An additional medical professional is already on board m/v Hondius.

“At this stage, the planned destination for m/v Hondius following the successful medical transfer is the Canary Islands.” 

They added: “Oceanwide Expeditions remains in close and continual discussion with relevant authorities regarding our exact point of arrival, quarantine and screening procedures for all guests, and a precise timeline.

“We are unable to confirm the details of onward travel for guests at this stage.

“This is dependent on medical advice and the outcome of stringent screening procedures.

"Close cooperation continues with local and international authorities, including the WHO, the RIVM, relevant embassies, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

The Taoiseach's office, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Defence Forces were asked if there is any plan for an Air Corps passenger plane to collect Ms Lane and her travelling companion after they are permitted to leave the Canary Islands.