Hantavirus cruise ship captain bids emotional farewell to passengers as they evacuate: ‘I’ve witnessed your caring, your unity’
In his first public remarks since a deadly strain of hantavirus began ravaging the MV Hondius – killing three people – the cruise vessel’s captain thanked the passengers and crew for looking after each other during the “extremely challenging” voyage.
“I’ve decided to take this time to thank every single guest and crew member onboard here, as well as our colleagues back home,” Dutch skipper Jan Dobrogowski began in a video released Monday.
“What touched me the most, what moved me the most, was your patience, discipline, and also kindness — kindness that you showed to each other throughout.
Jan Dobrogowski, captain of the MV Hondius, made his first public remarks since a deadly strain of hantavirus began ravaging the vessel. Oceanwide Expeditions/AFP via Getty Images
“I see people depend on each other,” Dobrogowski said.
The Hondius anchored in off the Canary Islands of Spain on Sunday morning after the outbreak on the ship starting last month left three travelers dead and many others sick, and sparked global concern over a possible wider spread of the rodent-borne illness.
The plagued Dutch cruise ship reached Tenerife – the Canary Islands’ largest island – where more than 140 passengers and crew disembarked from the vessel.
“I’ve witnessed your caring, your unity, quiet strength amongst everybody onboard, guests and crew alike. And I must commend my crew for their courage and their selfless resolve. They showed up time and time again in the most difficult moments,” the captain said in the video, adding that he “could not imagine sailing through these circumstances with a better group of people.”
The MV Hondius seen anchored inside the Port of Granadilla de Abona in Tenerife, Spain, 11 May 2026. RAMON DE LA ROCHA/EPA/Shutterstock
“Most importantly, our thoughts are with the ones that are no longer with us, and whatever I say will not ease this loss, but I would like you to know that they’re with us every day in our hearts and our thoughts,” he added.
Dobrogowski expressed hopes that the remaining passengers will make it home without a ripple.
“I wish nothing more to everybody, guests and crew alike, to be able to go home safely and in good health.
Passengers are disembarked from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship on Sunday, May 10. AP
“On behalf of Oceanwide Expeditions, my crew, myself, I ask for privacy and respect to our guests and their families and our crew members in this difficult time. We’ve sailed through this together, across the sea, now we hope to see everybody safely at home,” he concluded the nearly three-minute-long video.
The 17 Americans rescued from the ship landed back on US soil early Monday, where they will undergo quarantine, monitoring and testing for the virus at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
One of those passengers has tested positive for the virus and a second is showing mild symptoms, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
It’s not clear exactly how long they will be quarantined, but the World Health Organization has recommended a 42-day isolation period for the passengers of the ill-fated vessel.
The Americans were among about 150 travelers who were on a weekslong polar cruise from Argentina to Antarctica when the outbreak occurred.
