Le Jacques Cartier accidents and incidents

November 2020Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In October-November 2020, a total of 13 people (3 passengers plus 10 crew) on the Ponant Cruises ship Le Jacques Cartier tested positive for COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The ship eventually suspended the planned Mediterranean itinerary and returned back to homeport Marseille (France).

The outbreak reportedly started on October 25 when in the evening the vessel arrived at Port Siracusa (Sicily Italy). Two crew were diagnosed with the virus following a routine crew testing. Onboard response procedures were immediately initiated and disembarkation was denied. The ship was temporarily quarantined (through October 31) when the Italian authorities allowed departure and France allowed the return to Marseille Fos Port for passenger debarkation. All passengers were disembarked in Marseille on November 2. The conducted by Ponant onboard testing resulted in 17 suspected Coronavirus-positive cases. These passengers were isolated in their cabins and monitored by the ship's physician.

The delivered to Ponant in July 2020 ship Le Jacques Cartier has max passenger capacity 180 but was operated with reduced occupancy as a preventive measure. During the outbreak, the boat was carrying a total of 165 people (73 passengers and 92 crew-staff). The original itinerary (roundtrip from Marseille) was scheduled to visit also Valletta (Malta) and Piraeus-Athens (Greece).