4 577
Source:  www.cruisejunkie.com

Illness Outbreaks on Cruise Ships

2008




2006
Box Score
2007
Box Score
2008
Box Score
Illness:
# of
reports
Pax
Sick
Crew
Sick
Total
Sick
# of
reports
Pax
Sick
Crew
Sick
Total
Sick
# of
reports
Pax
Sick
Crew
Sick
Total
Sick
Gastrointestinal
(including Noro virus)
53
6481
617
7098
41
4221
349
4570
35
3292
259 3551
E coli
1
86
31
117




2
166
19
185
Salmonella












Shigella












Other




1
7

7
2
7

7
Total
54
6567
648
7215
42
4228
349
4577
39
3465
278
3743
NOTE: Box Score includes outbreaks confirmed by the CDC or those reported by multiple sources with reliable numbers.  Estimates given by passengers are generally not included in the table.

Summary of Illness Outbreaks, 2002 - 2007
(Click on Year for More Detail)

Year
# of Reports
Total Sick
2002
43
3530
2003
44
3556
2004
42
3675
2005
35
4674
2006
54
7215
2007
42
4577


 

 



2008

Date
Ship
Cruise Line
Event
Source
December 27 Artemis
P&O Cruises
The ship reported 4 (0.69%) crew and 54 (4.80%) passengers had reported ill with gastrointestinal illness on a 14 day cruise ending today in New Orleans. CDC
December 12
Veendam
Holland America Line
FROM A PASSENGER: We were on Westerdam on a back-to-back cruise from Nov 30th to Dec 14th.  On Dec 12th before we disembark at our port of call Costa Maya our Capita mentioned over the PA that we should not mix with the other people on the ship dock beside us (which was Veendam) because of an outbreak of that "ship flu." He said about 40 pax were ill.
PAX
November 25
Lady Anne
River Cruise Line
Monster and Critics reports a party of sick British pensioners were isolated Tuesday aboard the river cruise boat after German authorities put them under quarantine on the Rhine River. At least 42 of 110 passengers came down with a norovirus infection and 16 were moved to area hospitals after suffering drastic loss of body fluid. The rest were not allowed to leave the boat. A German disinfection team was sent aboard the anchored boat off Boppard to clean it after the captain radioed for help Monday with dozens of patients suffering vomiting and diarrhea.
Media
November 21 Constellation
Celebrity Cruises
The ship reported 1 (0.10%) crew and 62 (3.15%) passengers had reported ill with gastrointestinal illness on a 10 day cruise to/from Fort Lauderdale. CDC
November 18
Sun Princess
Princess Cruises
From a passenger: I have recently cruised from Sydney to Sydney on a 28 day Tahitian Pearls cruise to South Pacific Islands, Cook Islands, Tonga, Tahiti & Fiji.  From day 2 of the cruise many of the passengers and crew people began getting very sick.   Flu like symptoms.  Very bad throat and cough, it was a Respiratory Infection/Influenza 1.  Every day the medical centre on the ship had many people seeking medical help. When passengers asked the medical team on the ship what they should do - they told them to get off the ship ASAP! the medical staff appeared to be overwhelmed and unprepared to deal with the scale of the outbreak. The Captain even got the Respiratory Infection. I was prepared as I had a supply of antibiotics from my doctor prior to going on the cruise.  We witnessed two coffins being taken off the ship in full view of passengers at Papeete and being loaded into the ambulance. Our holiday was spoiled as we tried as best as possible to isolate ourselves. For 26 days of the 28 day cruise most of the passengers continued to get around the ship with little concern for spreading the coughs & sneezes!   The Norovirus outbreak was also a problem passengers were told not to use the public toilet facilities - to use their cabin facilities - that may have worked except that on many occasions we had no water in our cabins. The worrying thing is that the illnesses where taken to each of the islands we visited, unfortunately the islanders do not have access to our medical services. The ship should have been quarantined in the first week when these illnesses turned into an epidemic!
PAX
November 5
Zuiderdam
Holland America Line
From a passenger: Doing a 17 day cruise from Venice to Ft. Lauderdale. Self service of all food stopped a week ago trying to contain spread of Norovirus. Few cases of Norovirus until yesterday when 20 new cases reported. Today another 35 reported and now have been informed that our stop at Half Moon Cay has been cancelled as they are worried about spread of Norovirus on the tenders to the island. We have been scheduled to stop at Nassau on Saturday November 8 instead. UPDATE November 6: CDC reports 14 of 794 (1.76%) crew and 224 of 1820 (12.31%) passengers had reported ill with gastrointestinal illness on this cruise ending November 9. Update November 10: CDC now reports 17 of 794 crew (2.14%)  and 261 of 1820 passengers (14.34%). PAX / CDC
November 5
Diamond Princess
Princess Cruises
The Sun (UK) and Shanghai Daily reports up to 400 passengers hit with a vomiting bug were confined to cabins (quarantined) for 48 hours by officials at Shanghai in China. Health and safety bosses were on the verge of forbidding the ship from even docking. But they eventually decided to let 2,000 healthy passengers ashore. However, other people, including 13 crew members, were holed up in their rooms to prevent the highly contagious norovirus spreading. The bug hit the ship on Sunday evening as it sailed from Japan.
Media
October 29
Volendam
Holland America Line
The Marlborough Express (New Zealand) reports a norovirus outbreak (the ship is on Code Red) aboard the ship that prevented visitors while it was in Picton. The ship was to host a fundraising luncheon for the Marlborough Community Hospice but it was postponed. The Otaga Daily Times reports October 31 that the number reported ill at 60. UPDATE: The ship's "welcome to Sydney (Australia) was reportedly cancelled because of norovirus onboard. Media
October 24 Grand Caribe
American Canadian Caribbean Line
The ship reported 8 (47.06%) crew and 29 (42.65%) passengers had reported ill with gastrointestinal illness on a 12 day cruise ending October 24. CDC
October 24
Caribbean Princess
Princess Cruises
CBC reports that 105 passengers and 3 crew have been sickened by a bug believed to be norovirus. The ship docked today at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Princess Cruises said in a written statement that extra sanitation procedures were put into practice as soon as a higher-than-usual number of sick passengers was reported. Ill passengers are isolated in their cabins until they are non-contagious. Yesterday a crew member was taken off the ship in Saint John and transferred by ambulance to hospital for an unknown illness -- it is unknown whether his illness is related to this outbreak of what appears to be norovirus. UPDATE: The CDC reported October 27 that 172 of 3081 passengers (5.58%) and 13 of 1161 crew members (1.12%) reported ill on the cruise. Media/ CDC
October 17
Rhapsody of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
From a passenger: I recently cruised from Vancouver to Sydney.  28 days.  10 days into the cruise a lot of people began getting very sick.   Flu like symptoms.  Very bad throat and cough.  At one stage there was over a 2 hr wait to see a medico at the ship infirmary.  The ship ran out of throat lozenges that they were telling people to take.  And the medical staff appeared to be overwhelmed and unprepared to deal with the scale of the outbreak. The only thing that saved me -- I was in the medical profession all my life) -- was I would lie up on the deck in the fresh air, unlike other passengers who would remain in their cabin, breathing the recirculating air.  For 18 days of the 28 day cruise I felt like crap and didn't do much at all. NOTE: Influenza outbreaks are periodically a problem on cruise ships. PAX
October 17
Norwegian Jewel
Norwegian Cruise Line
For the second cruise in a row the ship reported an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness. Today the ship reported 11 of 1084 (1.0%) crew and 86 of 2132 (4.1%) passengers had reported ill with gastrointestinal illness on a 10 day cruise ending tomorrow.
CDC
October 16
Balmoral
Fred Olsen Cruises
An unknown number of noro type illness was reported current cruise; the next cruise (BL026) had delayed embarkation til 1800 to accommodate increased cleaning of the vessel.
PAX
October 8
Grande Caribe
American Canadian Caribbean Line
The ship reported 1 of 17 (5.9%) crew and 18 of 68 (26.46%) passengers had reported ill with gastrointestinal illness on a 12 day cruise ending October 12. CDC
October 8
Norwegian Jewel
Norwegian Cruise Line
The ship reported 9 of 1071 (0.84%) crew and 144 of 2132 (6.75%) passengers had reported ill with gastrointestinal illness on a 10 day cruise ending today.
CDC
September 3
Seven Seas Mariner
Regent Seven Seas
The ship reported 12 of 445 (2.69%) crew and 33 of 620 (5.32%) passengers had reported ill with gastrointestinal illness on a 7 day cruise from Seward to Vancouver (August 27 - September 3).
CDC
August 27
Seven Seas Mariner
Regent Seven Seas
From a passenger: I don't know how many people were sick with Norwalk virus during the cruise, but many became ill on the trip home, including me and my husband.  I have been told that half of a tour group of 100 (Nomads) were ill on their private jet on the way home.  The man across from me on the train from Seward to Anchorage was ill and his wife said the captain had given him an  antiemetic.  We observed at least one other person who appeared to be ill in the hospitality room at the Anchorage Hilton and one of the people we met for lunch around 2pm the day we disembarked returned sick to his hotel room before lunch was served.  I became ill on the plane on the way home to Philadelphia and my husband shortly after. on the drive home from the airport.  Too bad, though, because it was our first cruise, which we really enjoyed, but I'm afraid it will be our last.  My husband sent an e-mail to the Regent Travel Office on Thursday, about 7pm eastern time, letting them know of our illness and that of several others. We didn't know about the Nomads until late last night. We thought such a high-end cruise line would be safe but I guess you can never be sure.
PAX
July 2 Carnival Spirit
Carnival Cruise Lines
The ship reported 3 (0.33%) crew and 82 (3.61%) passengers had reported ill with gastrointestinal illness on a 7 day cruise from Whittier to Vancouver (June 25 - July 2). CDC
June 22
Veendam
Holland America Line
The Anchorage Daily News reports that an unnamed Holland America ship has had an elevated number of illnesses. It states that rumors about a norovirus outbreak followed the ship from port to port, prompting media inquiries. The ship had about 20 sick passengers early in its cruise when it was in Haines. It went to Juneau and Sitka before pulling into Seward (the end of a seven-day cruise). According to one source, the ship has been in Code Red due to the Norwalk Virus since last Thursday. The Veendam is doing Alaska (Vancouver to Seward 7 days, and Seward to Vancouver 7 days). Guests sailing for 14 days were all placed in quarantine for 24 hours last Friday after being plied with free tours in Seward since extra crew were flown in to clean the ship. All staff were present in the Lido restaurant to help serve guests. No salt and pepper shakers, no self serve coffee stations and activities cancelled. Over 100 guests were sick and approximately 20 crew affected. The outbreak was subsequently reported by the Centers for Disease Control -- it reports 112 of 1313 passengers (8.53%) and 12 of 556 crew (2.16%) were ill.
Media, PAX, CDC
June 16 Dawn Princess
Princess Cruises
The ship reported 4 (0.48%) crew and 68 (3.15%) passengers had reported ill with gastrointestinal illness on a 10 day cruise to/from San Francisco. CDC
June 6
Ventura
P&O Cruises
The Telegraph in London reports "passengers on the £300million cruise ship Ventura have been struck down by an outbreak of the potentially lethal norovirus."  The newspaper quotes a P&O spokesperson as saying, "There has been an increased incidence of a gastrointestinal illness among the passengers on Ventura over the last three days ...  "Enhanced sanitation protocols have already been implemented to help minimize transmission to other passengers. The captain is regularly updating the passengers and crew on the situation. Unwell passengers are asked to comply with the doctor's instructions and isolate themselves in their stateroom until non-contagious. "They have been asked not to proceed ashore, and any shore excursion costs are refunded. Room service is provided to affected passengers and every effort is made to make them as comfortable as possible." The latest cruise left Southampton last Friday and is due to call next at Cannes in France and then Rome. It is due back in Britain June 13 after further visits to Corsica and Gibraltar. Media
May 27
Sun Princess
Princess Cruises
A passenger reports there was a large outbreak of gastrointestinal illness on the cruise from Freemantle (Australia) to Vietnam/Asia. Exact numbers have not been reported and are not required by the CDC to be reported given that the cruise does not include any US ports.
PAX
May 25
Norwegian Pearl
Norwegian Cruise Line
FROM A PASSENGER: We were on Inside Passage Alaska cruise May 18-25, 2008, and there was illness on the cruise. We were told at the start of the cruise that they had had 500 people sick the previous week on the ship. Not sure how many were sick on our cruise, but they never did open the buffet line. All food was served by crew. I contracted the virus on the 2nd to last day of our cruise and my husband and I were both quarantined. One visit from the nurse with shot for nausea and meds for vomiting and diarrhea and stomach cramping. Two check-up calls from the reception desk the next morning. We had to order all food from room service and it took more than 8 hours to get Gatorade and saltines. No further contact with any crew other than room steward. No instructions as to how long this would last. FROM ANOTHER PASSENGER: I was aboard the ship at the time. Please note that the number of ill passengers and crew were less than 2% - the percentage that they are legally required to report to CDC.With 4000 guests and crew onboard, 500 sick would mean 8 percent were ill. Granted, they had an elevated number of cases, which by NCL policy (8 or more new cases in a 24 hour period) they go to extreme control measures to ensure it does not become higher. Those measures include the elimination of self-service (for guests and crew alike). PAX
May 18
Norwegian Pearl
Norwegian Cruise Line
There was a large outbreak of gastrointestinal illness on the May 11 - 18 cruise. There has been no official report from the CDC. (see May 25 for what details we have.)
PAX
May 1 Diamond Princess
Princess Cruises
The ship reported 5 (0.45%) crew and 92 (3.37%) passengers had reported ill on a 14 day cruise to/from Los Angeles. CDC
April 28
Norwegian Dream
Norwegian Cruise Line
The ship reported 10 of 726 (1.38%) crew and 99 of 1579 (6.27%) passengers had reported ill on an 18 day cruise that began April 13 and which disembarks May 1. The CDC reports the source of illness was E coli and norovirus.
CDC
April 9
Aurora
P&O Cruises
The Hong Kong Information Services Department reports that the Centre for Health Protection is following up on a British report concerning four cases of hepatitis-E infection involving four men on the world cruise which took place January 7 to March 28. The UK Health Protection Agency has been working with the cruise operator and port health authority to distribute health advice to all passengers. People who have been aboard the vessel should seek medical advice if they come down with hepatitis symptoms. Hepatitis-E is a viral infection highly endemic in Central and Southeast Asia, and North and West Africa, as well as Mexico. It is acquired by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Its incubation period ranges two weeks to two months. Symptoms include fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine and jaundice. UPDATE APRIL 30: The BBC reports the number reported coming down with Hepatitis E is now confirmed at 7. Media
April 3
Zaandam
Holland America Line
The ship reported 13 of 611 (2.13%) crew and 100 of 1428 (7.00%) passengers had reported ill on a 15 day Hawaii cruise that began March 19 in San Diego and which disembarked April 3. CDC
March 9
Sun Princess
Princess Cruises
The cruise ending today (14 day Sydney to New Zealand return) reportedly had an outbreak of norovirus affecting approximately 100 passengers. According to a passenger, The increased sanitization program that was put in place made things unpleasant; instead of relaxing on board you were constantly on guard not to touch the banisters, walking the stairs instead of using the lifts, avoiding contact with any other passenger, waiting in long queues for food because services were disrupted, having to walk around with hand sanitization gel etc. Staff attitudes were also affected -- deck hands were used as sanitization crews and were putting in many hours extra, and Wait staffs had to do much more as well, like putting salt and pepper on food, as all salt and pepper pots had been removed. All SPA baths were closed; so were the laundry facilities (which made things unpleasant as under clothes had to be washed in the staterooms and after 14 days at sea fresh clothes were becoming a problem). PAX
March 1 Azamara Quest
Azamara Cruises
The ship reported 2 (0.50%) crew and 21 (3.13%) passengers had reported ill on an 14 day cruise to/from Miami. CDC
February 26 Artemis
P&O Cruises
The ship reported 7 (1.22%) crew and 61 (5.57%) passengers had reported ill on an 18 day cruise ending in Fort Lauderdale today. CDC
February 25
Ryndam
Holland America Line
The ship reported 8 of 556 (1.44%) crew and 113 of 1226 (9.22%) passengers had reported ill on a 10 day Mexican Riviera cruise that began February 15 in San Diego and which disembarked February 25. CDC
January 28
Holiday
Carnival Cruise Lines
WKRG in Mobile reports the CDC is looking into an outbreak blamed for making 22 of 686 crew (3.21%) and 121 of 1548 passengers (7.82%) sick onboard the ship, which returned this morning from a 5 day cruise to Cozumel.
CDC
January 27 Norwegian Star
Norwegian Cruise Line
The ship reported 32 of 1104 (2.9%) crew and 228 of 2430 (9.39%) passengers had reported ill on an 8 day Mexican Riviera cruise that began January 19 in Los Angeles and which disembarked January 27. CDC
January 24 Arcadia
P&O Cruises
The ship reported 11 (1.24%) crew and 80 (4.16%) passengers had reported ill on a cruise ending today in New Orleans. CDC
January 16
Noordam
Holland America Line
The ship reported 12 of 816 (1.47%) crew and 103 of 1980 (5.2%) passengers had reported ill on a Southern/Eastern Caribbean cruise that began January 5 in New York City and which disembarked January 16.
CDC
January 13 Norwegian Spirit
Norwegian Cruise Line
The ship reported 4 (0.42%) crew and 67 (3.18%) passengers had reported ill on a cruise to/from New Orleans. CDC
January 13
Dawn Princess
Princess Cruises
A passengers writes that "many, many passengers" came down with gastrointestinal illness during the seven day cruise from San Diego to the Mexican Riviera. The CDC has not reported an outbreak. which requires 3% or more of passengers to report illness to the infirmary -- in the case of this ship there would need to be 60 passengers reporting ill to meet the CDC threshold. NOTE: A passenger on the cruise embarking January 20 also reports a large number of passengers with gastrointestinal illness during the cruise. CDC reports 6 (0.69%) crew and 101 (4.84%) passengers had reported ill
PAX/ CDC
January 12
Volendam
Holland America Line
The ship reported 7 of 608 (1.15%) crew and 85 of 1451 (5.86%) passengers had reported ill on a Southern/Western Caribbean cruise that began January 2 in Fort Lauderdale and which disembarked  January 12.
CDC
January 10
Pacific Princess
Princess Cruises
The ship reported 3 of 369 (0.81%) crew and 33 of 642 (5.14%) passengers had reported ill on a cruise that began December 15 in Tahiti and which disembarked at Ft. Lauderdale January 10. The illness was confirmed as caused by e. coli. UPDATE: The numbers have been revised to 6 of 369 (1.63%) crew and 50 of 642 (7.70%) passengers reporting ill CDC
January 5 Oosterdam
Holland America Line
The ship reported 4 (0.5%) crew and 76 (3.84%) passengers had reported ill on a seven day cruise to/from San Diego ending today. CDC

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