More than 100 passengers and crewmembers fell ill during a norovirus outbreak aboard the Caribbean Princess cruise ship, yet many onboard reported a sense of normalcy amidst the situation. Passenger Jan van Milligen, enjoying his 21-day voyage with friends and family from South Africa, stated that activities continued as usual, with guests attending shows and dining together despite the outbreak.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 102 passengers and 13 crewmembers were affected by the illness, which is characterized by symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. The outbreak was officially reported on Thursday during the ship’s voyage from April 28 to May 11, which included stops in the Caribbean. As of Saturday afternoon, the ship was located north of the Dominican Republic and on its way to Nassau in the Bahamas.
Princess Cruises acknowledged the outbreak, stating that “a limited number of individuals reported mild gastrointestinal illness” during the trip. The cruise line took swift action to disinfect the ship and enhance sanitation protocols throughout the voyage. According to their statement, a comprehensive cleaning and disinfection will occur upon the ship’s return to Port Canaveral on May 11, before setting sail for its next journey.
As part of their response, the cruise line implemented heightened sanitation measures. Sick individuals were isolated, and stool samples were collected for testing. Van Milligen observed the increased emphasis on hygiene, noting that passengers became more vigilant about handwashing and that self-service at the buffet was suspended.
Another passenger, Donna Leonte from Florida, who was aboard the Caribbean Princess to celebrate her 21st wedding anniversary, remarked on the effective safety precautions in place. “We are doing well. Safety precautions are in place but nothing deadly,” she said, adding that staff were visible at the washing stations and hand sanitizer was readily available.
Leonte confirmed that passengers continued to engage in onboard activities, emphasizing the importance of being mindful and taking precautions while not missing out on the scheduled events. She noted the change at the buffet, with staff serving food and managing the operations to prevent further spread of illness.
Such measures mirror those taken after a similar outbreak in March, when over 150 passengers aboard another Princess Cruises ship fell ill with norovirus. The CDC has stipulated that cruise lines must report outbreaks when at least 3% of passengers or crew display gastrointestinal symptoms, underscoring the challenges of managing health outbreaks in confined environments like cruise ships.
