One other gastrointestinal outbreak sickened dozens of passengers on Navigator of the Seas in July, marking the second outbreak this 12 months on a ship operated by Royal Caribbean, in line with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
134 passengers and seven crew members fell in poor health through the outbreak. There have been 3,914 visitors and 1,266 crew members on the 139,999 gross-ton vessel. The outbreak, which was reported on July 11, occurred throughout a 7-night cruise from Los Angeles, California, to the Mexican Riviera.
The causative agent hasn’t been revealed by the CDC, although it has been hinted to be norovirus, a extremely contagious virus that spreads simply by contaminated meals, water, or surfaces. Signs of the sickness embody diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
In response to the outbreak, Royal Caribbean carried out enhanced cleansing protocols, collected stool specimens for testing, and remoted sick passengers and crew.
“The well being and security of our visitors, crew, and the communities we go to are our prime precedence,” a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean Group advised USA TODAY.
“To keep up an surroundings that helps the very best ranges of well being and security onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleansing procedures, lots of which far exceed public well being tips,” they added.
Learn extra: Cruise ships endure worst 12 months for abdomen bugs in over a decade. Here is what I am doing to remain wholesome
This 12 months has seen a rise in gastrointestinal instances on cruise ships in comparison with 2024, which reported a complete of 18 outbreaks throughout all cruise strains between January and December
The primary outbreak of the 12 months was aboard Sea Cloud Cruises. The causative agent, nonetheless, wasn’t norovirus. As an alternative, it is listed as Ciguatera (presumed).
In accordance with the CDC’s web site, the primary norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship in 2025 occurred aboard Holland America Line’s Volendam throughout a 21-night cruise in January.
Just one different Royal Caribbean ship has suffered from a norovirus outbreak this 12 months: Radiance of the Seas. The CDC revealed that the ultimate case counts for the outbreak on Radiance have been 160 passengers and eight crew members.
The affected voyage came about from February 1-8, 2025, with a complete of two,164 passengers and 910 crew onboard. Radiance was crusing from Tampa, Florida, to the Western Caribbean. Ports of name on the itinerary included Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; Belize Metropolis, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico.
The February 8 voyage’s embarkation was delayed to let the crew have enough time to deep clear the ship earlier than permitting new passengers onboard.
The CDC shares outbreaks after they meet the next standards:
The ship is beneath VSP (Vessel Sanitation Program) jurisdiction on cruises together with each U.S. and overseas portsSpecific voyage has 3% or extra of passengers or crew reporting gastrointestinal signs to the ship’s medical employees
In Navigator of the Seas’ case, 3.4% of visitors reported being in poor health through the 7-night cruise. 0.6% of the crew have been additionally sick.
Source link
