Over 140 sick on Royal Caribbean cruise

Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas reported health issues while returning from Mexico.

Cruise outbreak leaves over 140 Royal Caribbean passengers and crew sick

Over 140 passengers and crew aboard the Royal Caribbean ship Navigator of the Seas reported an unidentified illness, as confirmed by the CDC. The vessel set sail from Los Angeles on July 4 for a weeklong cruise with stops in Mexico. On July 11, the ship returned, and 134 of 3,914 passengers and seven of 1,266 crew reported symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. The CDC is investigating the possible cause, though norovirus is often to blame for similar outbreaks. Following the reports, Royal Caribbean intensified their cleaning protocols and worked with health officials to manage the situation, including collecting stool samples and isolating affected individuals.

This outbreak raises serious concerns about health protocols on cruise ships, which have faced increased scrutiny during the pandemic. The repeated nature of illnesses on cruise lines highlights a pattern that could affect public confidence in cruising as a mode of travel. With health authorities investigating, the cruise industry must demonstrate a robust response to prevent further outbreaks while maintaining guest safety. As cruising resumes, the focus on health measures will likely become more stringent based on this incident.

Highlights

Cruise lines must remain vigilant to restore traveler confidence.