Norovirus Sickens 72 on Royal Caribbean Ship

A norovirus outbreak aboard Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas sickened 71 passengers and one crew member during the Sept. 19–Oct. 2 cruise from San Diego to Miami. The 72 cases amounted to roughly 3.9% of the 1,874 people on board and were reported to the CDC on Sept. 28, prompting remote monitoring by the agency’s Vessel Sanitation Program. Royal Caribbean isolated sick passengers, collected stool samples, and implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures while working with public-health authorities. Officials say the outbreak mirrors a broader seasonal rise in norovirus cases on land and at sea. Passengers experienced cabin confinement and disruptions to the trip, and the cruise line said its sanitation procedures often exceed public-health guidelines.