Nearly 100 Passengers Affected by Norovirus Outbreak on Royal Caribbean Voyage

A significant norovirus outbreak occurred aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Serenade of the Seas during a two-week journey from San Diego to Miami, impacting nearly 100 people, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The incident affected 94 of the 1,874 passengers onboard, with an additional four crew members displaying symptoms of the highly contagious gastrointestinal illness. The ship arrived at PortMiami early Thursday following the outbreak.

Norovirus is known as the leading cause of foodborne illnesses in the United States, causing symptoms such as sudden vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. The CDC emphasizes the importance of thorough hand washing with soap and water to prevent the spread, as hand sanitizers alone may not be effective against this virus.

The outbreak was reported a few days after the ship’s stop in Mexico. Passengers, including Joshua Pettit and his father Bob, experienced severe symptoms; Joshua described the illness as sudden and violent, with his father requiring medication and isolating in his stateroom. In response, the crew increased safety measures, such as serving food at the buffet rather than allowing self-service and intensifying cleaning protocols across the vessel.

Healthcare experts stress that norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships are common, often initiated by a single infected individual. Dr. Aileen Marty from Florida International University highlighted that rapid dehydration from fluid loss is the main concern, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly and infants.

Royal Caribbean reported the outbreak to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) on September 28. The company activated its outbreak response plan, which included isolating the symptomatic individuals, extensive disinfection procedures, and testing samples. The CDC continues to monitor the situation and review the ship’s sanitation practices remotely.

This marks the second norovirus outbreak on Royal Caribbean ships in 2025, following a similar incident aboard the Navigator of the Seas in July. Prevention and prompt response remain key to managing such outbreaks on cruise ships.