Oceanwide Expeditions announced that on Thursday, June 18, 2026, all remaining crew members of the Hondius who quarantined have completed their quarantine period and are returning to their home countries.
This includes all crew in the Netherlands after disembarking the vessel upon its arrival in Rotterdam on May 18, and those who arrived in the Netherlands after earlier disembarkation in Tenerife on May 11.
According to the company, no health complaints or further cases of hantavirus have been reported among these individuals. Tests performed at the beginning of this week have returned negative results.
“On behalf of the entire Oceanwide Expeditions team, I want to thank all crew members for their tremendous efforts in recent weeks,” said Remi Bouysset, CEO of Oceanwide Expeditions.
“They have distinguished themselves during exceptionally difficult and highly unusual circumstances, finding themselves in the center of a media storm, and with the well-being of our guests and their fellow team members in their hands,” added Bouysset.
“Under the exceptional leadership of Captain Jan Dobrogowski, they remained calm, professional and highly coordinated when the eyes of the world were upon them and when people needed them most.”
The company said in a press release that, following their disembarkation in Tenerife and Rotterdam, all crew members who quarantined in the Netherlands did so without family members or loved ones.
“We wish to highlight the significant burden they have carried both during and after recent events. We will continue to support all individuals affected by events aboard the Hondius. Throughout the quarantine process, the Dutch Public Health Authorities maintained daily contact with all involved, monitored health and provided support,” the company stated.
Oceanwide Expeditions has thanked the Dutch Public Health Authorities, the Rotterdam Port Authority and the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment for their cooperation and support in ensuring the safe return of the vessel and its crew.
Following an in-depth cleaning and disinfection by EWS Group in Rotterdam, the ship was cleared by Dutch Health Authorities to return to service on May 30.
The vessel is currently operating in the Arctic as scheduled with an entirely new crew aboard.
