The begining of this Year's Cruise Ship Voyages is Marked by Nausea-Inducing Incidents
The current year's cruise ship voyage season is off to a nauseating start, with two major gastrointestinal illness outbreaks affecting over 100 passengers each. These incidents, which have been reported in February, bring the total number of such outbreaks aboard vessels visiting U.S. ports to seven since January.
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed details about the most recent outbreak, which occurred on Holland America's Rotterdam. The cruise, which started on February 2 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has had at least 104 passengers and 12 crew members fall ill. The ship is expected to dock on Friday. This latest incident, as with many others, is linked to norovirus, a notorious cause of these outbreaks on cruise ships due to their shared dining areas and close living quarters.
The cruise industry seems to be experiencing a challenging gastrointestinal-related year in 2025. This surge in illnesses is far above what we've seen in early February in recent years. In 2024, only two such outbreaks were reported, and in 2023, the number was three. However, 2025 has already surpassed these figures, painting a concerning picture for cruise vacation enthusiasts.
Over the weekend, another outbreak was reported on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas. At least 160 passengers and eight crew members were impacted before the ship docked on February 8. The source of the Radiance outbreak remains unidentified, but norovirus is the typical suspect in over 90% of diarrheal disease outbreaks on ships.
Norovirus, often nicknamed the "cruise ship virus," is indeed a global issue, accounting for less than 1% of norovirus cases in the U.S., as per the CDC. Interestingly, norovirus cases have been surging nationwide since last summer, with more reported outbreaks than in previous seasons.
Despite these statistics, the Cruise Lines International Association maintains that the chance of contracting norovirus or any gastrointestinal illness aboard a cruise ship is "quite rare." However, this year's outbreaks have led me to maintain a low opinion of cruise ship vacations in my personal vacation plans.
The CDC advises travelers to frequently wash their hands, avoid contact with visibly sick individuals, and report such cases to ship staff if they haven't already been made aware, while cruising.
In light of these persistent gastrointestinal issues, the cruise industry is seeking innovative tech solutions to enhance sanitation and disease prevention on board for a healthier future. This proactive approach to tech integration in 2026 could potentially revolutionize cruise vacations, offering travellers a safer and more enjoyable experience.
Meanwhile, as the cruise industry grapples with this public health concern, health authorities worldwide are working to develop more effective vaccines against norovirus, aiming for a tech-driven solution to this global issue in the near future.
