French authorities on Wednesday imposed a temporary disembarkation ban on the British cruise ship Ambition, which is carrying over 1,700 passengers and crew, following a stomach illness outbreak and the death of an elderly man on board.

The vessel was midway through a 14-night voyage that began in Belfast and Liverpool, with planned stops in northern Spain and along France's Atlantic coast. By the time it reached Bordeaux on Tuesday evening, the stomach bug had already spread among passengers.

The ship's operator, Ambassador Cruise Line, said sanitation and prevention protocols were immediately implemented. French health authorities have ruled out norovirus, but secondary tests are ongoing to determine the cause. Food poisoning has not been ruled out.

A 92-year-old British passenger died on the cruise; however, French health authorities stated his death appears to be linked to a heart attack and no connection has been established with the gastroenteritis episode.

Etienne Guyot, the prefect of Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and Gironde department, suspended disembarkation on the recommendation of the regional health agency. The ban is temporary pending medical test results.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 23 gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships last year. French officials clarified there is no link between the Bordeaux incident and the recent hantavirus outbreak on another cruise ship.

Source: www.dw.com