A Christmas cruise meant to offer festive cheer instead became an unpleasant experience for some guests aboard Celebrity Eclipse, after a gastrointestinal illness outbreak was reported during the holiday sailing.
The outbreak occurred on the ship’s eight-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, which departed Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, 20th December 2025, and returned on Sunday, 28th December.
The sailing included visits to Antigua, St Maarten, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 95 guests out of 3,042 onboard reported symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.
Nine crew members from a total complement of 1,235 also reported similar symptoms. The figures represent 3.1% of guests and 0.7% of crew, crossing the CDC’s mandatory reporting threshold of 3% for passengers.
The ship was able to complete its itinerary as planned and has already departed on its next cruise, with no delays reported.
CDC Notification and Onboard Response
The outbreak was formally reported to the CDC once Celebrity Eclipse returned to Fort Lauderdale. The case numbers reflect illnesses reported across the entire voyage, meaning passengers may have fallen ill on different days rather than all at once.
In response, the ship’s crew implemented enhanced sanitation and containment measures to reduce the risk of further spread.
These included increased cleaning and disinfection of public areas, isolating guests and crew who reported symptoms, and collecting samples for laboratory testing to determine the cause of the illness.
While the specific causative agent has not yet been identified, most gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships are linked to viruses such as norovirus, which spread easily through contact with contaminated surfaces or person-to-person interaction.
Health authorities note that frequent handwashing, particularly after using the toilet and before eating, remains one of the most effective ways for guests to protect themselves. Avoiding unnecessary contact with high-touch surfaces such as railings, lift buttons and buffet utensils can also help reduce transmission.
Part of a Wider Pattern in 2025
The outbreak aboard Celebrity Eclipse was the only reported incident involving a Celebrity Cruises ship in 2025, but it is the 22nd gastrointestinal outbreak recorded across all cruise lines in that year.
Most outbreaks reported to the CDC in 2025 were attributed to norovirus, although some did not have a confirmed cause. Other identified agents this year have included E. coli and ciguatera poisoning.
The most recent outbreak prior to this incident occurred aboard AIDAdiva in late November and early December, when 114 guests and crew were affected by norovirus.
Despite persistent misconceptions, cruise ships are not inherently prone to illness. Hundreds of voyages sailed in 2025 without any reported outbreaks, and incidents have occurred across vessels of all sizes and brands, from luxury operators to large mainstream cruise lines.
Before the Christmas sailing on Celebrity Eclipse, the last outbreak reported to the CDC involving Celebrity Cruises occurred in May 2024 aboard Celebrity Summit, when 78 guests and crew were affected by norovirus.
While falling ill on any holiday is unfortunate, cruise health experts emphasise that swift reporting, isolation and sanitation measures remain highly effective in limiting the impact of onboard outbreaks.
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