Two Canadian travellers have filed lawsuits against Royal Caribbean International, claiming the cruise line failed to adequately prevent and respond to a Salmonella outbreak that impacted more than 180 guests during an Alaska sailing in September 2024.
The women, Tierny Patterson and Nicole Singh, sailed aboard Radiance of the Seas on a week-long cruise departing Vancouver on 20th September 2024.
According to legal documents filed with the British Columbia Supreme Court in March 2025, both women experienced severe gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming meals onboard and are now seeking compensation for physical suffering and financial losses.
Patterson claims she fell ill after eating multiple meals in the ship’s “dining hall,” though the specific venue – main dining room or buffet – was not clarified in the filing.
After returning to Vancouver, she was diagnosed with Salmonella by her physician on land.
Singh, who also reported diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and fever, alleges she was treated like a “biohazard” and confined to her cabin by ship medical personnel, who she says lacked proper training and equipment to provide adequate care.
She claims she wasn’t advised to seek hospital treatment ashore, which she believes further jeopardised her health.
Royal Caribbean Yet to Respond
Royal Caribbean has not issued an official statement regarding the claims. The lawsuits remain under review by the B.C. Supreme Court, and none of the allegations have been proven in court.
The cruise line, however, did follow standard procedures outlined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) – which mandates that cruise ships report outbreaks when 3% or more of guests or crew report gastrointestinal symptoms.
On this sailing, 180 guests and three crew members were affected, representing 8.29% of those on board – well above the reporting threshold.
The outbreak was logged with the CDC, and experts monitored the ship’s sanitation response.
Cruise lines are prepared for outbreaks of illness and implement rigorous containment measures.
Onboard Radiance of the Seas, this included enhanced cleaning of high-touch areas, increased signage and announcements encouraging frequent handwashing, and collecting stool samples to identify the cause of illness.
In this case, tests confirmed Salmonella as the source.
Guests who reported symptoms were isolated in their cabins – a routine safety precaution to limit the spread of infection.
Isolated passengers typically receive room service meals, medical support, and regular monitoring.
Despite the disruption, Radiance of the Seas did not alter its itinerary or onboard entertainment schedule.
While no traveller wants to become ill on holiday, cruise ships – like any environment with thousands of people in close quarters – carry an inherent risk of spreading gastrointestinal viruses and foodborne illnesses.
Salmonella can be transmitted via undercooked or contaminated food, and even with strict food safety procedures, outbreaks can still occur.
The situation underscores the importance of travel insurance, particularly policies that cover medical care and potential trip interruptions.
Royal Caribbean, like other cruise lines, also encourages passengers to report symptoms early and follow health guidance during outbreaks.
As for Patterson and Singh, their claims will now proceed through the Canadian court system, where the cruise line’s responsibilities and outbreak protocols will likely come under closer scrutiny.
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