A Royal Caribbean cruise turned into a distressing experience for over 90 passengers due to a norovirus outbreak. The incident occurred on the Serenade of the Seas ship operated by Royal Caribbean International, with 94 passengers and four crew members falling ill out of the 1,874 passengers and 883 crew members on board, respectively.
Norovirus symptoms, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches, headaches, abdominal cramps, fever, or experiencing three or more loose stools within a 24-hour period. The ship, after departing from San Diego on September 19 and making stops in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia, is expected to dock in Miami on Thursday.
In response to the outbreak, Royal Caribbean has enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols as per their outbreak prevention and response plan. Affected individuals have provided stool samples for testing, and both passengers and staff showing symptoms have been isolated. The cruise ship has collaborated with the Vessel Sanitation Program, overseen by the CDC, for guidance on sanitation cleaning procedures and reporting sick cases.
Royal Caribbean Group emphasized its commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of guests, crew, and visited communities. The company underscored its stringent cleaning procedures exceeding public health guidelines to maintain a safe environment onboard. This recent norovirus outbreak adds to the 19 gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships in 2025, with 14 linked to norovirus, as reported by the CDC.
The CDC highlighted a potential increase in cruise ship outbreaks compared to pre-pandemic years but noted uncertainties on whether this signifies a new trend. Royal Caribbean described the Serenade of the Seas ship as offering panoramic views and extensive glass elements to enhance the scenic experience for passengers. The ship’s amenities include poolside relaxation, mini-golf, and diverse culinary experiences inspired by global flavors.
The article also referenced previous norovirus outbreaks on Royal Caribbean cruises, including incidents on the Navigator of the Seas in July and the Radiance of the Seas in February. Norovirus, known for its high contagion rate, causes symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, high temperature, headaches, and body pains, according to the NHS.