Cruises
Antarctica's Cruise Boom Sparks Alarm After Deadly Hantavirus Outbreak
A deadly hantavirus outbreak on the Dutch-flagged cruise ship Hondius has raised concerns about Antarctic tourism safety. As of Thursday, five people were confirmed infected with three deaths reported. The incident comes as 29 nations prepare to meet in Japan to discuss stricter regulations for Antarctic tourism, which has grown from 37,000 visitors in 2015 to more than 117,000 in 2025, with experts forecasting numbers could quadruple over the next decade.