More than 150 passengers and crew members experienced gastrointestinal symptoms aboard Princess Cruises’ Star Princess during a weeklong trip from Fort Lauderdale, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The norovirus outbreak was first reported to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) on March 11 while the ship was still at sea. The Star Princess, carrying 4,307 passengers and 1,561 crew, is scheduled to complete its March 7 to 14 voyage on Saturday, the agency said Thursday.
According to the CDC, 104 passengers, or about 2.4 percent of those on board, and 49 crew members, about 3.1 percent of the crew, had symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting during the trip. Stool samples from the sick individuals tested positive for norovirus, the leading cause of gastrointestinal illness worldwide.
Princess Cruises in a statement to NTD News said the outbreak involved a “limited number of individuals” who reported mild illness, and that the company acted immediately to contain the spread.
“We quickly disinfected every area of the ship and added extra sanitizing throughout the voyage,” the company’s media relations team said. “We also separated anyone feeling unwell so they could rest comfortably in private — just an added precaution to help keep the rest of our guests and crew feeling their best.”
According to the CDC, crew members aboard the Star Princess carried out enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures in line with outbreak response plans. Ship staff also isolated those who were sick and collected stool specimens for testing.
Norovirus, sometimes dubbed the “stomach flu,” causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Symptoms often include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever. It spreads quickly through person-to-person contact, contaminated surfaces, and food or drinks handled by someone who is infected.
Cruise ships are required to report gastrointestinal illness cases to the CDC when sailing to or from a U.S. port.
The CDC said that case totals reflect the entire voyage period, meaning not all infected passengers or crew were ill at the same time. According to the agency’s case definition, an individual qualifies as having acute gastroenteritis if they experience three or more loose stools in 24 hours or vomiting accompanied by another symptom.
The agency urges passengers to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, report any symptoms to the ship’s medical team, and avoid handling food while sick.
Holland America said “the cases were mostly mild and quickly resolving,” and that staff conducted “enhanced sanitation procedures and additional deep cleaning” once docked.
Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection said the infected passengers—38 men and 38 women ranging from 24 to 92 years old—mostly suffered vomiting, diarrhea, or mild fever.
The Westerdam was later cleared to depart Hong Kong for the Philippines after all travelers were screened and advised to seek medical care if symptoms appeared. That outbreak came weeks after Holland America’s Rotterdam reported a similar norovirus incident during a Panama Canal cruise in January.