The company said there have been 13 positive Covid cases onboard although none has “critical symptoms”. The ship is carrying 72 passengers.

Jacques Cartier was visiting the Italian port of Syracuse when the first two positive cases were identified on Sunday (25 October). The ship had been sailing on a cruise from Malta to Athens.

Ponant said the ship had now “obtained all the necessary authorisations from the French authorities” to set sail for France on Friday (30 October) afternoon.

“It will allow a quick and secure return, within 48 hours of navigation with a disembarkation of passengers and crew members as soon as they arrive,” said the company in a statement.

Following the outbreak, Ponant agreed with Italian authorities to implement a screening process of all passengers and crew, which revealed the 13 positive cases.

“They were immediately placed in isolation in their cabins, under the sanitary supervision of the doctor on board, without any concern from the Italian medical authorities: none of the people tested positive showed any critical symptoms,” added Ponant.