Royal Caribbean Cruise Reports Norovirus Outbreak Onboard
A Royal Caribbean cruise ship bound for Miami has reported a norovirus outbreak that has left dozens of passengers and crew members ill during its voyage.
Outbreak Details
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that Serenade of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International vessel, experienced a gastrointestinal outbreak on its 13-day sailing. The ship departed San Diego on September 19 and is scheduled to arrive in Miami on Thursday after visiting several South American ports.
As of Wednesday, 94 of the 1,874 guests (around 5%) and four of 883 crew members reported symptoms consistent with norovirus, including vomiting and diarrhea. Earlier counts had placed the number of sick passengers at 71, showing how quickly the illness spread onboard.
Response Measures
Royal Caribbean reported the outbreak to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program, which monitors and helps control the spread of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships.
In response, the cruise line has stepped up cleaning and disinfection protocols, collected stool samples from sick passengers for testing, and isolated affected guests and crew.
“The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority,” Royal Caribbean Group said in a statement. “To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.”
Understanding Norovirus at Sea
Norovirus is a highly contagious illness known to spread rapidly in enclosed environments such as cruise ships. It causes diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain within 12 to 48 hours of exposure. The virus can be contracted through contaminated surfaces, food, or liquids, as well as direct contact with someone who is infected.
The CDC noted that there have been 19 gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships so far this year, with 14 attributed to norovirus. This is not the first time Royal Caribbean has dealt with such an outbreak—back in July, another sailing reported 134 passengers sickened.
Looking Ahead
While the ship continues toward Miami, passengers and crew are under heightened health protocols to contain the spread. The CDC emphasized that gastrointestinal illnesses, including norovirus, are “very contagious and can spread quickly in closed and semi-enclosed environments, such as cruise ships.”
Travelers heading on future sailings are advised to practice frequent handwashing and avoid close contact with anyone who appears ill.
