Norovirus Outbreaks Surge on Cruises: Here's How to Avoid the Bug

Table Of Content

• We’re addicted to naked cruises and have already spent $40K — here’s why we’ll never do a clothed one again
• More from CBS News
• Why are there so many cruise norovirus reports on the news?
• Cruise ship barred from docking in Mauritius amid outbreak of stomach illness
• Facts About Noroviruses on Cruise Ships
• Norovirus Cases Are Rising on Cruises. Here’s How You Can Stay Safe
• Hotel Reward Programs
• Why is Norovirus a problem on Cruise Ships?

Hand hygiene is key to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus — but the way you clean your hands matters, experts note. It has to be with soap and water, because alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against norovirus. The most common symptoms of norovirus are vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain, Dr. Albert Ko, infectious disease physician and professor of public health, epidemiology and medicine at Yale School of Public Health, tells TODAY.com. Shipboard medical service fees vary and are usually set by medical practitioners. In most cruise ship hospitals, some supplies and medications are provided to passengers and crew for free - like aspirin, seasickness pills, small bandages. Cruise ships publish daily health and safety instructions to their passengers on how to avoid mosquito bites.

We’re addicted to naked cruises and have already spent $40K — here’s why we’ll never do a clothed one again

It's easy to make norovirus case numbers sound alarming, but context matters. For example, 100 cases on a single ship might seem like a lot, but on a vessel like Oasis of the Seas, which carries more than 5,400 passengers, 100 cases are only about 2% of the onboard population. "Health officials track illness on cruise ships. So outbreaks are found and reported more quickly on a cruise ship than on land," reads the CDC's facts page. Norovirus is the most common of several viruses that cause severe gastrointestinal illness or acute gastroenteritis.

More from CBS News

There are passenger testimonials about quarantined ships and how badly guests have been treated by the line. Virus outbreak news speaks of a lack of proper hygiene control, badly trained staff, bad ship management. The whole responsibility goes to the shipowner (cruise line company) and its management. Here are listed latest cruise ship Norovirus outbreaks on passenger ships, with information what is and how to avoid Norovirus on cruise ships, CDC reports, and news updates.

Why are there so many cruise norovirus reports on the news?

Cruise lines employ crews dedicated to keeping public areas and high-touch surfaces clean. Galley crews and waiters receive extensive training on food safety and handling. Even though you may be tempted to conceal your illness, you would be doing a great disservice to the other passengers and the crew on the cruise by keeping it a secret. She noted that hand sanitizers do not work well against norovirus and that they are not a substitute for handwashing. The CDC said sick guests were isolated in their staterooms, and Silversea has implemented more stringent deep cleaning and disinfection measures.

Cruise ship barred from docking in Mauritius amid outbreak of stomach illness

Introduced in 2023, the Silver Nova boasts butler service for every suite, one crew member for every 1.3 guests and “outstanding gastronomy” — it even welcomed “Top Chef’s” Nina Compton to its ranks at the end of last year.

Nearly 30 Silversea cruise passengers get sick in gastrointestinal illness outbreak - Yahoo Singapore News

Nearly 30 Silversea cruise passengers get sick in gastrointestinal illness outbreak.

Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 15:41:52 GMT [source]

Facts About Noroviruses on Cruise Ships

“You must be diligent beyond your common understanding of when to wash your hands, because there are millions of norovirus particles spreading in various areas,” Boden-Albala says. Cruise lines have had to invest heavily in cleaning and sanitation protocols, disease detection methods, and passenger education to combat the threat of norovirus. In many instances, outbreaks have led to public relations challenges, decreased passenger satisfaction, and financial losses due to trip cancellations and medical costs. The recent surge in Norovirus outbreaks underscores the necessity of vigilance and proper understanding of this issue, both for those planning a dream vacation at sea and for those in the cruise industry itself. Together, we can work towards ensuring that cruise ships remain a place of relaxation and enjoyment, rather than a breeding ground for this troublesome virus.

Mathis says older passengers and others traveling with family face a risk from others in their party. For example, if grandchildren aren’t careful hand-washers, they can easily infect their grandparents and others. “Norovirus is one of the few viruses that doesn’t get deactivated by alcohol.

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As many Covid-19 precautions went the way of sweater vests in late 2022, it’s probably not a coincidence that this past winter saw a surge of norovirus cases in general, as I reported for Forbes on February 10, 2023. On top of that, cruise ships returned to full operations for the entire calendar for the first time since early 2020. Throw in the whole idea of “revenge travel” with people scrambling to catch up on travel delayed by the pandemic, and you’ve got a bunch of set ups for norovirus outbreaks.

Similar travel warnings were issued by other health agencies and governments. VSP inspectors board ships and conduct thorough checks to ensure compliance, and the standards are high. You can find a list of the most recent inspection scores and lists of violations for each ship on the VSP website. During COVID, the options for cruises were limited, but now that restrictions have been lifted, more people are deciding to take that cruise they had been putting off. The CDC said the Virgin Voyages‘ Scarlet Lady illness was caused by salmonella and E. Questions or messages regarding errors in formatting should be addressed to

The ship project started in March 1999 with the vessel's acquisition through a donation from Balcraig Foundation (UK), which purchased the boat for US$6,5 million. Both emergency and basic care are available on the ship 24 hours a day. Search for medical assistance - consult the ship's physician if no actions provide relief. Seasickness is physical disorientation as a result of conflicting signals received by the brain from different body senses. Our inner ear senses the ship's irregular motion, which our eyes can't see because the floor and walls are stable. Depending on individual balance, our ability to adjust to motions varies, so not everyone experiences seasickness.

If the number hits 3% or more, cases must be reported to the CDC even if the ship is not scheduled to call on a U.S. port within the next 15 days. Norovirus spreads easily in close quarters, such as those found on cruise ships. In the first six months ending in June, cruise lines have reported 13 separate outbreaks to the CDC.

It also noted that the number of cases tends to be higher on larger ships and on voyages of a week or longer. The exact cause for the increase in the number of norovirus cases is not clear, but the increasing demand for cruises could be one explanation for the rise in reported cases, said Labus. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips. The CDC says the Norovirus bug can be extremely contagious and is the leading cause of foodborne illness.

To see how your specific cruise line performed on its VSP inspections, you can visit the CDC website and search their portal. This site also lists any corrective actions taken to remedy any issues. You can even look for cruise lines that have scored a perfect 100. According to Shah, norovirus spreads rapidly anywhere there are large groups of people, like school classrooms, family gatherings, and weddings. The CDC monitored the outbreak as the ship completed a 16-day sailing and docked at Port Everglades earlier this week.

This makes it easy for norovirus to spread rapidly from person to person. The virus is commonly spread through direct contact with an infected person, consuming contaminated food or water, or touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus. One of the main challenges in containing norovirus is its ability to survive on various surfaces for a significant amount of time, making it easy to pick up unknowingly.