67 Hondius has safely resumed service following a thorough cleaning, enabling it to continue taking guests to explore polar regions professional under tremendous pressure. I’m particularly grateful to our onboard teams who were dedicated to helping our guests, despite the risk to their own lives.” Evaluating the event with his team has also allowed Bouysset to identify opportunities for improvement. “The biggest lesson is that the unexpected can sometimes happen and if it does, we must be able to act quickly,” he says. “It’s vital for cruise operators to have a solid crisis management strategy in place. We’re updating our procedures and evaluating evacuation processes.” Oceanwide Expeditions is also enhancing pre-cruise screening protocols. “Healthcare authorities confirmed hantavirus originated onshore and was unintentionally brought onboard the ship by a guest,” says Bouysset. “There isn’t a reliable test for hantavirus, so we’ll gather more information about guests’ recent travel and illnesses before boarding. Multiple cruise lines will be sailing from South America to Antarctica later this year, so the industry must work with local authorities to minimise the risk of this happening again.” While the incident has inevitably raised concerns among travellers, Bouysset points to Oceanwide Expeditions’ more than 30 years of polar operations as evidence that the company can manage challenging environments. This experience, he says, enables it to sail in some of the world’s most remote regions while maintaining high safety standards. “We dare to go where others don’t,” says Bouysset. “Our ship Ortelius set a world record in February 2025 when it went further south in the Weddell Sea than any other non-icebreaker vessel – and it broke its own record in February 2026. In January 2027, we’ll be the first cruise line to sail into the Bellingshausen Sea.” Every itinerary includes multiple opportunities to enjoy unique experiences. “Creating unforgettable expedition experiences is our priority – if we spot a pod of belugas during dinner, we’ll stop everything and even turn the ship around to give our guests a closer look,” says Bouysset. “We’ve pioneered various exciting activities, including snorkelling amongst icebergs.” Facing high guest demand, Oceanwide Expeditions will soon build two 146-guest ships. They will use the DynaRig hybrid sail propulsion system and other environmental technologies to cut fuel consumption and emissions. “We’re finalising contracts with the shipyard and other partners and expect them to launch in 2029 and 2030,” says Bouysset. “We’re excited to take guests to new places no one has ever sailed before on our most eco-conscious vessels yet.” Photo: Andy Austin Photo: KatjanaCabenda
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