A Royal Caribbean cruise turned into a nightmare for over 90 passengers due to an outbreak of highly-contagious norovirus. The incident occurred on the Serenade of the Seas ship, a Royal Caribbean International vessel. As reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, out of the 1,874 passengers on board, 94 individuals reported being ill during the voyage, along with four out of 883 crew members.
Norovirus symptoms, including diarrhea and vomiting, have affected those on the ship. Other signs of the disease consist of muscle ache, headache, abdominal cramps or fever, and three or more loose stools within 24 hours. The ship, which departed San Diego on September 19 and made stops in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia, is scheduled to dock at Miami on Thursday.
Royal Caribbean has enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures in line with their outbreak prevention and response plan, as stated by the CDC. Afflicted passengers and staff members have been isolated, and stool samples for testing have been provided. The cruise ship has consulted with the Vessel Sanitation Program, overseen by the CDC, regarding sanitation cleaning procedures and reporting ill cases.
Royal Caribbean Group emphasized that the health and safety of guests, crew, and visited communities are top priorities. There have been 19 gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships this year, with 14 attributed to norovirus, according to the CDC. While the number of recent cruise ship outbreaks seems higher than pre-pandemic years, it is uncertain if this signifies a new trend, according to the CDC.
The Serenade of the Seas, according to Royal Caribbean, offers panoramic views and extensive glass features to enhance the cruising experience. Passengers can enjoy various activities onboard, including mini-golf, sunbathing, and indulging in diverse cuisines. The ship provides multiple entertainment options, such as musicals, dancing, and cocktails at R Bar, ensuring a lively and engaging voyage.
This norovirus outbreak follows similar incidents on other Royal Caribbean cruises earlier this year. Norovirus is highly contagious and primarily causes vomiting and diarrhea, with additional symptoms like nausea, high temperature, headache, and body aches.