Over 90 sickened by gastrointestinal outbreak on Royal Caribbean cruise ship
- The CDC reported that 89 passengers and two crew members on the Radiance of the Seas fell ill during the trip.
- The cruise began on February 1, 2025, from Tampa, Florida, with scheduled stops in multiple locations.
- Increased sanitation measures were implemented to control the outbreak and prevent further spread of illness.
On February 1, 2025, a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship named Radiance of the Seas departed from Tampa, Florida, embarking on a weeklong journey. However, halfway through the trip, a gastrointestinal outbreak was reported, affecting 89 passengers and two crew members aboard the vessel. The symptoms experienced by those infected included vomiting and diarrhea, which are characteristic of norovirus infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) responded to the situation, indicating that it was made aware of the outbreak on February 4, just three days after the ship set sail. The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program has been closely monitoring the circumstances since it was reported that multiple individuals were experiencing gastrointestinal illness onboard. In an effort to control the outbreak and prevent further infection, crew members took immediate actions to increase cleaning and sanitation procedures throughout the ship. Sick individuals were isolated from others, and stool specimens were being collected for testing to determine the exact cause of the illness. Although norovirus is frequently the culprit behind similar outbreaks on cruise ships, officials have confirmed that samples are currently pending confirmatory testing. The cruise was scheduled to make multiple stops at destinations including Cozumel, Roatan Islands, Belize City, and Costa Maya before returning to Tampa. As the situation unfolded, there was uncertainty regarding how this outbreak might affect the ship's itinerary, as Royal Caribbean did not respond immediately to inquiries about this matter. The cruise ship carries approximately 2,164 passengers and 910 crew members in total, which makes the illness affecting such a significant number quite alarming. This incident underscores the ongoing issues cruise ships face with outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses. Previous similar incidents have occurred, such as an outbreak reported in September, where 180 people were affected by salmonella poisoning during another voyage. The CDC's response to gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships highlights the importance of adhering to strict sanitation protocols and quickly identifying sources of infection to safeguard passengers and crew, ensuring safe and healthy cruising conditions. The events aboard Radiance of the Seas over the last week serve as an important reminder of the challenges in maintaining health standards in high-density travel situations like those found in the cruise industry.