Cruise ships witness worst year for stomach bugs in over a decade

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared 2024 as a challenging year for cruise ship health. The agency reports that stomach illness outbreaks, particularly those caused by Norovirus, have reached alarming levels. This marks the worst year for such outbreaks in over a decade. In just one month, there were 890 reported cases of stomach illness among passengers and crew members across five outbreaks. This situation has raised concerns among travelers and the cruise industry alike.

Rising Cases of Norovirus

Norovirus, often referred to as the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug,” is a highly contagious virus. It causes symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. The CDC has noted that the current surge in cases is significant, with 16 outbreaks recorded from January 3 to December 29, 2024. This is the highest number of outbreaks in a single year since 2012. Out of these, Norovirus was responsible for 11 outbreaks.

Over 250 People Ill After Back-To-Back Outbreaks Aboard Cruise Ship

The CDC emphasizes that while most people recover from Norovirus within one to three days, the virus remains contagious for several days after symptoms have disappeared. This means that infected individuals can unknowingly spread the virus to others. The CDC states that most outbreaks occur through direct contact, such as caring for an infected person or sharing food and utensils.

The agency estimates that Norovirus causes approximately 2,500 outbreaks annually in the United States, resulting in 19 to 21 million cases. Of these, around 100,000 lead to hospitalizations. The peak season for Norovirus outbreaks typically runs from November to April, making it crucial for travelers to be aware of the risks associated with cruise travel during this time.

Recent Outbreaks and Ship Inspections

In December 2024, three cruise ships reported outbreaks of Norovirus. These included Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam, Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess, and Holland America Line’s Rotterdam. The most recent outbreak began on December 21 aboard Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 and is expected to continue into January 2025.

In light of these outbreaks, the CDC has also released its annual Vessel Sanitation Program report. This report highlights the cleanliness of cruise ships based on inspections conducted throughout the year. A total of 151 inspections were carried out, with an average cleanliness score of 95.9. However, nine ships received scores below 90, indicating areas of concern.

Among the ships that struggled with cleanliness was the Hanseatic Inspiration by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, which initially scored a low 62 but improved to 89 after a follow-up inspection. Other ships that received low scores included Carnival Elation, Adventure of the Seas, and Caribbean Princess. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining high sanitation standards to prevent the spread of illnesses like Norovirus on cruise ships.

As the cruise industry navigates these challenges, travelers are encouraged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect their health while enjoying their voyages.