More than 1,000 passengers held on cruise after gastrointestinal illness outbreak

In its statement, Ambassador said there was a reported increase in cases after guests boarded in Liverpool.It said "a number of guests and crew onboard Ambition have displayed or are displaying symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness".Gastrointestinal illness is a common condition that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. Cases in adults are usually caused by norovirus or food poisoning.The cruise line said enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols had been implemented across the ship "in line with established public health procedures following the initial reports of illness".Measures introduced since the initial reports of illness included increased cleaning and disinfection in public areas, as well as ongoing guidance to guests about hand hygiene and reporting symptoms to the onboard medical team.As part of a scheduled stop at Bordeaux in southwest France, the operator said it had advised French health authorities of the situation. The regional health agency for Nouvelle-Aquitaine said a medical team had been dispatched on board to assess the situation, with samples currently being taken to the Bordeaux-university-hospital" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="126438" data-entity-type="organization">Bordeaux University Hospital.It added that passenger disembarkations had been suspended "as a precautionary measure due to the contagiousness of gastroenteritis-type illnesses" while tests were being processed.