Taking a cruise holiday remains a popular choice in 2026, with millions of travellers expected to set sail this year despite a series of onboard health scares making global headlines.
Recent outbreaks of hantavirus and norovirus on cruise ships have sparked concern among passengers, including the deaths of three travellers aboard the MV Hondius after the vessel stopped in Argentina and a norovirus outbreak on a British cruise ship docked in Bordeaux, France.
But industry representatives and travel experts say the incidents are unlikely to dent demand, with cruise lines still forecasting record passenger numbers worldwide this year.
Rob Kwortnik, an associate professor at Cornell University’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration who closely watches the cruise industry, said that the cruise consumer “seems to be somewhat Teflon when it comes to stories like this”.
In its “State of the Cruise Industry Report 2026” published in April, industry trade group Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) estimated that 38.3 million people would travel on ocean-going ships this year, 4% more from a record 37.2 million passengers last year.
