Cruise Ship Season Kicks Off with a Vomit-Soaked Surprise

This year’s cruise ship season is raising alarm as it experiences an unusual spike in gastrointestinal illness outbreaks. So far in 2025, seven outbreaks have been reported among ships that dock in U.S. waters, significantly more than past years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided details on these incidents through its Vessel Sanitation Program, highlighting that two separate outbreaks have affected over 100 individuals each this month alone.

One of the latest outbreaks occurred aboard the Holland America ship Rotterdam, where 104 passengers and 12 crew members fell ill during a two-week voyage that started on February 2 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and is scheduled to conclude this Friday. The illness is commonly attributed to norovirus, a frequent cause of foodborne outbreaks on cruise ships due to their close living quarters and communal dining areas.

2025 is already shaping up to be problematic for cruise-goers. The recent outbreak on Rotterdam marks the seventh reported this year, with two of those in February, compared to only two outbreaks in the same timeframe last year and three in 2023. In the weekend prior, another outbreak was noted on Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas, affecting at least 160 passengers and eight crew members before the ship’s arrival on February 8. While the specific cause of this outbreak remains unknown, norovirus is suspected based on historical data that shows it is responsible for over 90% of diarrheal outbreaks on ships.

Despite being labeled the "cruise ship virus," norovirus is a widespread issue, with less than 1% of all cases in the U.S. linked to cruise ships. The CDC has indicated a general increase in norovirus outbreaks across the country since last summer.

The Cruise Lines International Association claims the chances of becoming ill aboard a cruise are relatively low. However, with the surge in outbreaks this year, some may reconsider their vacation plans. For those opting to cruise, the CDC recommends frequent handwashing, vacating areas where illnesses are apparent, and notifying staff of potential unreported cases.

For detailed ship sanitation resources, visit the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program and learn more about norovirus outbreaks.

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