Carnival Cruise Line brand has norovirus outbreak
Norovirus has been a growing problem for the cruise industry in 2025.
Seven cruise ships sailing out of the United States have reported norovirus outbreaks in 2025. That's a disturbing number in only the second month of the year, but the cruise industry does get credit for keeping each outbreak under control.
While having over 100 passengers catch a virus that causes stomach problems is not pleasant, that's better than it spreading across the entire ship. Quarantines and cleaning protocols have helped keep these outbreaks in check, keeping a bad situation from becoming much worse.
Related: Royal Caribbean passenger shares warning about a major scam
The Centers for Disease Control considers it an outbreak when a "voyage has 3% or more of passengers or crew reporting symptoms of GI illness to the ship's medical staff."
Cruise lines have become more aggressive when it comes to quarantining passengers to stop the spread of norovirus. The CDC works with the cruise line to determine what caused the outbreak.
"Norovirus is often a cause of GI illness outbreaks on cruise ships, but we don't always know the cause of the outbreak when we begin an investigation. Finding the agent that caused an outbreak (causative agent) can take time. When an outbreak occurs, people whose symptoms met the case definition are asked to provide stool or vomitus samples. These samples are tested to determine the causative agent," the CDC reported.
A cause cannot always be found, but after an outbreak is reported, the ship will be deep-cleaned before the next round of passengers gets onboard.
Another outbreak was reported recently, and Cruise News Today's Doug Parker has the full story.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.
Holland America Line reports norovirus outbreak
Transcript:
This is Cruise News Today with Doug Parker.
Good morning. Here's your cruise news for Tuesday, February 11.
A norovirus outbreak on Holland America's Rotterdam has dozens of cruise passengers sick and another dozen crew members.
The CDC reports 107 guests and 12 crew are experiencing gastro issues on the current 12-day Panama Canal cruise, which departed from Lauderdale on February 2.
Holland America says that most cases are mild and that enhanced sanitation measures are implemented to prevent further spread. This marks the seventh cruise-related gastro outbreak reported this year.
Disney Treasure reports small fire; Carnival Sunshine hits new port
And, a small fire on board Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, Disney Treasure, was quickly contained over the weekend while sailing in the western Caribbean. The fire, which broke out in an incinerator room, was extinguished by crew members.
Now, the news came as passengers were already on edge following a 7.6 magnitude earthquake in the area of the Grand Caymans.
Now, despite the fire, the ship does remain on schedule with stops in Mexico, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica before returning to Florida on the 15th.
At the time of broadcast, Disney has not issued a statement about the fire.
And the Carnival Sunshine is back on the east coast after a dry dock stint in Marseille, France.
Now, enhancements include refurbishing the water park, ropes course, jogging track, and the casino, plus new cardio equipment in the gym and motion-activated lights installed in all the staterooms. The ship also underwent hull cleaning and repainting.
Previously based in Charleston, South Carolina, Sunshine's new home port is Norfolk, where she'll begin sailing today with a five-night cruise to the Bahamas.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Have questions about booking a cruise? Schedule a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel Planning, or call or text Amy Post at 386-383-2472.
If you have a lead on a story, let us know. Tips@cruiseradio.net.
Have yourself a great Tuesday. I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today.
Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to have all your questions answered.
