Norovirus Outbreak on Regent’s Seven Seas Explorer During Transpacific Cruise: What You Need to Know

In May 2025, the CDC reported a gastrointestinal illness outbreak aboard the Regent Seven Seas Cruises vessel, Seven Seas Explorer. The outbreak occurred during an 18-night cruise from Tokyo to Vancouver, which started on April 26. Among the 666 passengers, 22 showed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including diarrhea and vomiting, along with two affected crew members. The specific cause of the illness was not determined.

In response to the outbreak, Regent worked with the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program to implement measures such as isolating sick individuals, collecting stool samples for lab tests, and enhancing sanitation protocols throughout the ship. Once the voyage ended, the Seven Seas Explorer underwent a thorough deep cleaning prior to starting its next itinerary to Alaska. This is crucial since pathogens like norovirus can linger on surfaces without proper disinfection.

This incident marked the 17th reported gastrointestinal outbreak on cruise ships within the CDC’s jurisdiction for 2025, nearing the total number of outbreaks from the previous year. Additionally, a Virgin Voyages ship, Resilient Lady, experienced a similar gastrointestinal outbreak during a cruise from Greece to Croatia and Montenegro, where about 3% of passengers reported symptoms consistent with stomach flu. In that instance, the company delayed disembarkation to enhance cleaning procedures and isolate those affected.

These cases highlight the importance of stringent hygiene practices and quick reporting of symptoms to onboard medical personnel to effectively manage gastroenteritis outbreaks on cruise ships.

For more incidents related to Seven Seas Explorer, visit the ship’s CruiseMinus page.

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