Royal Caribbean alerts cruisers about disease linked to hot tubs
The cruise line is keeping its passengers informed and working to protect their health.
These days, most people understand the general risk of illness that comes with bringing a large number of people together into a semi-enclosed space like a cruise ship.
Many people don’t realize though that cruise ship hot tub use can potentially increase their risk of becoming ill from a disease that isn’t spread through person-to-person contact.
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Over the last couple of years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been working to educate cruise lines about the increased risk for Legionella bacteria growth in private-balcony hot tubs.
When Legionella bacteria grows in hot tub water systems, it can be transmitted to hot tub users through inhaled water droplets. In some cases, cruise passengers exposed to the bacteria later become sick with Legionnaires’ disease, a severe type of pneumonia.
Although rare, Legionnaires’ disease is a growing health concern for cruise passengers because private-balcony hot tubs have become a popular amenity on many newer cruise ships.
Since private-balcony hot tubs aren’t used as often as public ones, their maintenance requirements typically aren’t as strict, which can create conditions favorable for Legionella bacteria growth.
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Royal Caribbean continues to warn passengers about Legionnaires’ disease
Over the last few months, Royal Caribbean has been notifying passengers on multiple cruises about a recent case of Legionnaires’ disease, according to RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com, an unofficial fan blog not affiliated with the cruise line.
“The CDC has advised that while they are unsure where exposed, a guest who recently sailed on Symphony of the Seas was later diagnosed with Legionella,” Royal Caribbean informed passengers.
Royal Caribbean sent a similar notification to Symphony of the Seas’ passengers in January after two other passengers fell ill with the disease after sailing on the ship in late 2024.
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Symphony of the Seas is not the only cruise ship to be associated with the disease, however.
In October 2024, the CDC reported that it was notified of 12 cases of Legionnaires’ disease among travelers sailing on two cruise ships from separate cruise lines between November 2022 and June 2024. Their investigation linked both cruise ship Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks to private-balcony hot tubs.
What cruisers should know about Legionnaires’ disease and hot tubs
It’s important for cruisers to know that private-balcony hot tubs are more likely to experience Legionella growth than public hot tubs found in common areas because they are not required to be disinfected as frequently as public ones.
The CDC has been working to ensure that cruise lines understand the hot tub features that increase the risk for Legionella growth and transmission, and how cruise lines can adapt maintenance and operations protocols to reduce that risk.
“Royal Caribbean is working hard to protect the health of guests and crew onboard Symphony of the Seas,” the cruise line assured passengers in its recent Legionnaires’ disease notification emails.
The cruise line informed passengers that it stepped up its sanitation efforts as a precautionary measure and followed all CDC guidance.
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Although most healthy people who are exposed to Legionella do not get sick, some people are at an increased risk including current and former smokers, adults over 50, and people with specific health issues or conditions.
Legionnaires’ disease symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches.
“If you experience these symptoms and have concerns, please reach out to your preferred medical professional,” the cruise line urged.
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