‘Cruise Ship Virus’ Outbreak Strikes Coral Princess, Dozens Report ‘Intense’ Sickness [WATCH]

A norovirus outbreak disrupted the 31-day voyage of Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess, which traveled from Singapore to Los Angeles.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 55 of the ship’s 1,822 passengers and 15 of the 907 crew members became ill during the journey.

The Coral Princess embarked on its trans-Pacific journey on October 17, making stops in Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Japan before arriving in Hawaii on November 10.

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The outbreak was reported to the CDC on November 9, and the agency identified norovirus as the causative agent.

Predominant symptoms included diarrhea and vomiting.

Princess Cruises responded to the outbreak by increasing cleaning and disinfection efforts in accordance with its outbreak prevention and response plan.

Stool samples from individuals who fell ill were collected for testing to confirm the presence of the virus.

The Coral Princess docked in Los Angeles on November 17, disembarking affected passengers. It then set sail the same afternoon on a 16-day journey to Fort Lauderdale.

Norovirus, often referred to as the “cruise ship virus,” is highly contagious and requires only a small number of viral particles to cause illness.

It spreads through person-to-person contact, contaminated food or water, and contact with infected surfaces such as door handles or handrails.

Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and, in some cases, fever, headaches, and muscle aches.

While most people recover without severe complications, the virus poses a heightened risk to the elderly and young children, with some cases requiring hospitalization.

The Coral Princess incident is not the first gastrointestinal illness outbreak reported on a cruise ship this year.

In September, a salmonella outbreak aboard Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas sickened 180 passengers and three crew members during a voyage from September 20 to 27 in Alaska.

The affected individuals experienced symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headaches, and muscle aches.

Royal Caribbean had previously reported another outbreak on the same ship in April, during a voyage from Tampa, Florida, to Los Angeles, California.

That incident involved 67 passengers and two crew members who contracted norovirus.

The CDC has recorded 11 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships in 2024, with norovirus listed as the primary cause in all but three cases.

Dr. Darin Detwiler, a leading food safety expert, highlighted the unique challenges cruise ships face in maintaining food safety due to their confined spaces and the high volume of communal meals served.

“Cruise ships are like floating cities, and they face unique challenges, particularly because they serve large numbers of passengers in enclosed spaces where illnesses can spread quickly,” Dr. Detwiler explained.

He also noted that cruise lines source food from international ports, which can lead to varying safety standards for fresh produce, meats, and seafood.

Both Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean have emphasized their commitment to passenger safety, implementing stringent cleaning protocols to combat the spread of illnesses onboard.

In a statement following the September salmonella outbreak, Royal Caribbean reaffirmed its dedication to health and safety, stating that its measures often exceed public health guidelines.

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