Demand for cruises appears undimmed despite hantavirus and other onboard outbreaks

Cruise demand remains robust, with industry insiders and travel experts predicting a record year for vacation cruises, even in the face of recent health scares. Outbreaks of hantavirus and norovirus on ships like the MV Hondius and a British vessel have made headlines, but the industry appears largely unfazed.

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The cruise consumer seems to be somewhat Teflon when it comes to stories like this.

The Cruise Lines International Association, a leading trade group, forecasts that 38.3 million people will embark on ocean-going voyages in 2026, marking a 4% rise from the previous year's record of 37.2 million passengers. This sustained growth highlights the enduring appeal of cruising as a preferred vacation choice for many.

Rob Kwortnik, an associate professor at Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration, aptly described the cruise consumer as "somewhat Teflon" when it comes to negative news. This resilience suggests that passengers trust the industry's ability to manage health risks and maintain safe travel environments. Major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Carnival have not publicly commented on potential impacts to bookings, indicating confidence in continued demand.

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I have eight cruises booked, and I’ll absolutely be booking another.

Oceanwide Expeditions, the owner of the MV Hondius, has stated it foresees no changes to its operations, with a cruise scheduled to depart from Iceland on May 29. Veteran cruisers like Jenni Fielding, who blogs about her experiences under the name Cruise Mummy, are equally unfazed. Fielding, who has eight cruises already booked, emphasized that "Cruising is as safe as any other type of holiday, provided travellers follow sensible health advice and stay aware of official guidance."

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Cruising is as safe as any other type of holiday, provided travellers follow sensible health advice and stay aware of official guidance.

Scott Eddy, a hospitality influencer currently on a cruise, noted that fellow passengers have not expressed concern about the hantavirus outbreak. He believes "the average traveler understands that this is an isolated health situation and not something unique to cruise travel itself." This sentiment is echoed by CruiseCompete.com, an online marketplace that reported a 31.7% increase in cabin bookings during the first half of May compared to the same period last year, underscoring the continued strong market for cruise vacations.

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The average traveler understands that this is an isolated health situation and not something unique to cruise travel itself.