Over 200 sickened by norovirus outbreak on luxury cruise ship

On March 18, 2025, U.S. health authorities were notified of a severe gastrointestinal illness outbreak on the Queen Mary 2, a Cunard cruise line ship, which had embarked on a month-long voyage from Southampton, United Kingdom, on March 8. The outbreak impacted 224 out of 2,538 passengers and 17 out of 1,232 crew members, with the predominant symptoms being diarrhea and vomiting caused by the highly contagious norovirus. This situation arose during a transatlantic journey that included stops in New York and various Caribbean islands before the ship's scheduled return to Southampton on April 6. In response to the outbreak, the Cunard Line implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols aboard the ship to minimize further spread of the virus. In addition to isolating the affected individuals, the crew collected stool specimens for testing to confirm cases and understand the severity of the outbreak. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program started monitoring the situation and reviewing the response measures put forth by the crew. Norovirus outbreaks have been common on cruise ships due to their close quarters and shared dining experiences, leading to a ripple effect of illness. As of late March, the current outbreak aboard Queen Mary 2 was the largest reported in 2025, with a significant percentage of those affected reporting symptoms compatible with acute gastroenteritis. U.S. health officials noted that this strain of gastroenteritis is known to cause symptoms that last generally between one to three days. However, individuals can continue to spread the virus for weeks after recovering from symptoms, complicating containment efforts. This outbreak is part of a broader trend noted by health officials, as outbreaks on cruise ships tend to spike around this time of year. Since the beginning of 2025, at least nine other cruise ships have reported similar outbreaks, including vessels run by major cruise lines such as Holland America and Princess Cruises. The CDC has been vigilant in addressing these issues, requiring that any incidence of gastrointestinal illness aboard ships be reported, with a focus on quickly implementing control measures to protect the rest of the passengers and crew from further infection.