Norovirus Outbreak on Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas: 91 Cases Reported

On February 4, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness aboard Royal Caribbean International’s ship, Radiance of the Seas. The cruise vessel had set sail from Tampa, Florida on February 1 for a week-long trip in the Western Caribbean.

During the voyage, 89 of the 2,164 passengers (approximately 4.1%) and 2 of the 910 crew members (0.2%) experienced symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting. The precise cause of the illness has not yet been identified.

In response to the situation, Royal Caribbean implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures as part of their outbreak prevention plan. Affected individuals were isolated, and stool samples were gathered for testing to determine the illness’s source. The company also worked with the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program to ensure that sanitation procedures were adequately followed.

This incident marks the sixth gastrointestinal outbreak on a cruise ship that has reached the CDC’s public notification threshold of 3% in 2025. In 2024, there were 18 similar outbreaks reported, many of which were linked to Norovirus.

Despite these occurrences, the CDC highlights that cruise ships account for only about 1% of all reported gastrointestinal illness cases. They stress the importance of promptly reporting symptoms to medical staff on board, as early detection enables rapid measures to control the spread, including isolation of affected individuals and increased sanitation efforts.

The investigation into this outbreak is ongoing, but the cruise industry remains committed to maintaining health protocols to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

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