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| Royal Caribbean International cruise ship |
Miami United States: A Royal Caribbean International cruise ship has been struck by a significant norovirus outbreak, leaving nearly 100 passengers and crew members ill during a 13-night voyage through Central America. The Serenade of the Seas, carrying close to 1,900 passengers and more than 800 crew, reported the outbreak to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) late last week. The ship docked in Miami early Thursday morning after health officials began closely monitoring the situation.
According to CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program, more than 90 passengers and four crew members experienced acute gastrointestinal illness characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. The outbreak met the threshold for federal investigation, which requires cruise ships to report when 3% or more of those onboard display symptoms of gastrointestinal illness.
Passengers Fall Ill Midway Through Voyage
The Serenade of the Seas departed San Diego on September 19 for a long voyage through Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia, before making its way to PortMiami. A few days into the journey, passengers began experiencing nausea and stomach discomfort that quickly escalated into violent bouts of vomiting and diarrhea.
Eighty-seven-year-old Bob Pettit, traveling with his son Josh, was among those who fell ill.
“It really hits you hard, violently,” Bob told NBC6 reporters. “I’ve been on 25 cruises, and at 87 years old, I’ve never been this sick in my life.”
Bob described the illness beginning with an upset stomach before escalating to severe gastrointestinal symptoms that required him to quarantine for 24 hours in his cabin. Despite his age and the intensity of the illness, he is now recovering. His son Josh noted that both of them have become far more conscious about cleanliness onboard.
“You’re touching chairs, salt and pepper shakers - we’re definitely thinking more about that and trying to keep our hands clean before touching our food,” Josh said.
CDC Monitoring and Cruise Line Response
The CDC confirmed the outbreak in an official report on September 29/ 2025, noting that stool specimens had been collected from ill passengers for testing. While the agency classified the outbreak as norovirus, it emphasized that symptoms on board were consistent with the highly contagious virus often nicknamed the “stomach flu.”
The CDC is remotely monitoring the outbreak, reviewing the ship’s sanitation procedures, and ensuring that Royal Caribbean’s outbreak prevention and response plan is in place.
In response, Royal Caribbean stepped up sanitation measures throughout the vessel, intensifying cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as door handles, railings, dining areas, and restrooms. Dining procedures were altered, with buffet items removed or served directly by staff to minimize passenger contact with shared utensils.
Leslie Nilsen, another passenger onboard, noted the increased precautions.
“They’re wiping every surface, wiping door handles at a regular schedule,” Nilsen said. “They’re serving you in the dining room, so you’re not touching anything. To have that small percentage of people sick is a testament that they are working hard to contain it.”
A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean issued a statement, reiterating the company’s commitment to passenger and crew safety:
“The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority. 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.”
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily in closed, crowded environments such as cruise ships, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and child care centers. It is the leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the United States.
Symptoms usually include nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, and stomach cramps, lasting one to three days. While most healthy adults recover quickly, the virus poses greater risks to children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
The CDC estimates that norovirus causes between 19 and 21 million illnesses in the U.S. each year, leading to approximately 56,000–71,000 hospitalizations and around 900 deaths annually, primarily among adults over 65.
Despite being known colloquially as the “cruise ship virus,” norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships represent just 1% of all norovirus cases nationwide. Cruise ships, however, draw extra attention due to their confined environment and large number of passengers living in close quarters.
How Norovirus Spreads
Norovirus spreads through several routes, including:
- Eating or drinking contaminated food and beverages.
- Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth.
- Direct contact with an infected person, such as caring for someone who is sick.
Hand sanitizer, which became widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic, is less effective against norovirus. Health experts emphasize frequent handwashing with soap and water as the best way to prevent transmission.
Onboard the Serenade of the Seas, the outbreak underscored the importance of these precautions. With multiple passengers reporting illness, the crew introduced enhanced disinfection schedules and encouraged passengers to wash their hands regularly, especially before meals.
Passenger Reactions and Outlook
While the outbreak disrupted the voyage for many, passengers generally praised the crew’s handling of the situation.
“They’re really trying to slow it down and encourage people to wash their hands,” Josh Pettit observed.
Bob and Josh both said they plan to continue cruising despite the incident. “Hopefully, things have turned the corner here and things are getting better,” Josh added.
Broader Implications for Cruise Travel
This incident marks the third norovirus outbreak reported on a Royal Caribbean ship this year. The cruise industry, which has faced heightened scrutiny over health and safety practices since the COVID-19 pandemic, is once again under pressure to reassure travelers.
Experts note that while outbreaks on ships attract media attention, norovirus is widespread across many environments on land. The enclosed nature of cruise ships, however, makes outbreaks more visible and requires cruise lines to have strict reporting systems.
The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program is designed to monitor and minimize the risk of gastrointestinal illness aboard ships that call on U.S. ports. Cruise lines are legally required to report cases of gastrointestinal illness to the CDC when they exceed the 3% threshold.
Preventing Norovirus While Traveling
Public health experts and the CDC offer several recommendations for reducing the risk of contracting norovirus during cruise travel or in other crowded settings:
1. Wash Hands Frequently: Soap and water remain the most effective defense. Wash for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom and before eating.
2. Avoid Touching the Face: Prevent germs from entering through the eyes, nose, or mouth.
3. Disinfect Surfaces: Regularly clean frequently touched objects such as doorknobs, handles, and shared electronics.
4. Avoid Sharing Food or Utensils: Limit direct contact with items used by others.
5. Stay Hydrated: If infected, drink water, sports drinks, or oral rehydration solutions to replace lost fluids.
6. Isolate if Sick: Passengers who become ill should remain in their cabins and follow medical staff instructions to limit further spread.
The Cruise Continues
Despite the outbreak, the Serenade of the Seas completed its voyage and docked in Miami as scheduled. After this trip, the vessel is slated to homeport from Cartagena, Colombia, and Colón, Panama, for the winter season.
Passengers leaving the ship in Miami described a trip that was memorable not only for the destinations visited but also for the heightened health measures onboard.
While some passengers expressed disappointment, others remained optimistic, acknowledging the crew’s swift action to contain the outbreak.
Cruise industry analysts say that while norovirus is a recurring challenge, the industry has invested heavily in sanitation protocols and passenger education. With public health monitoring and strict reporting in place, outbreaks are often contained quickly, allowing ships to continue operating safely.
Looking Ahead
The CDC will continue monitoring the Serenade of the Seas until the outbreak subsides and will review sanitation procedures to ensure compliance with federal standards. Royal Caribbean emphasized that it will maintain rigorous cleaning measures and cooperate with health authorities.
Health experts, meanwhile, remind travelers that norovirus can strike anywhere and at any time. While cruise ships draw attention, the risk of infection is not limited to the seas. From schools and hospitals to restaurants and family gatherings, norovirus remains a year-round public health concern.
More:
1) Norovirus in US : Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment