More than 90 passengers and crew aboard a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship fell ill with a gastrointestinal illness during a weeklong voyage that departed from Tampa, Florida, on 1st February.
The illness resulted in symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea.
Radiance of the Seas was due to return on Saturday after calling at Cozumel, Roatán, Belize City, and Costa Maya.
The outbreak was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a press release, although the exact cause of the illness remains unknown.
The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) was notified of the outbreak on Tuesday, midway through the journey.
The agency reported that out of 2,164 passengers and 910 crew members, 89 guests and two crew members had been affected. Those who fell ill were promptly isolated, and stool samples were collected for testing.
The CDC noted that norovirus is a common cause of gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships, and laboratory tests are underway to determine whether it was responsible in this case.
Response and preventative measures
To prevent further spread, the crew on board increased their cleaning and disinfection protocols.
The CDC stated that it is remotely monitoring the response measures, including reviewing the ship’s sanitation and outbreak management procedures.
Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the situation or whether it had affected the ship’s itinerary.
Norovirus is known to spread rapidly in enclosed spaces, such as cruise ships, through contaminated food, water, or surfaces.
The illness typically results in acute gastroenteritis and can be particularly severe for young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
As the investigation continues, passengers are advised to practice stringent hygiene measures, such as frequent handwashing, to reduce the risk of infection during future sailings.
There has been a higher-than-usual number of gastrointestinal virus outbreaks at the start of 2025, with Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Silversea and Sea Cloud Cruises impacted.
This comes after 2024 saw a 10-year high number of outbreaks.
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