A holiday cruise in the Caribbean turned sour for more than 100 people who fell ill with a gastrointestinal virus aboard the Celebrity Eclipse ship, according to a report from U.S. health officials.
Outbreak Details and Response
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published details of the outbreak on Tuesday. The data shows that 95 of the 3,042 passengers and nine of the 1,235 crew members reported becoming sick during the eight-day voyage. The ship departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on December 20 and returned to the same port on December 28.
The primary symptoms suffered by those affected included vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. While the specific virus has not been officially confirmed, the CDC noted that the highly contagious norovirus is a frequent cause of such gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships.
Ship's Sanitation Measures
In response to the spreading illness, the cruise line implemented its outbreak prevention and response plan. The crew aboard the Celebrity Eclipse significantly increased cleaning and disinfection procedures throughout the vessel. Additional measures included:
- Collecting stool samples from ill individuals for laboratory testing.
- Isolating sick passengers and crew members to help contain the spread.
- Consulting with the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) on enhanced cleaning protocols and illness reporting.
The CDC's VSP remotely monitored the situation, reviewing the ship's response and sanitation actions. Cruise ships are legally required to report cases of gastrointestinal illness to the CDC to enable rapid detection and containment of outbreaks.
A Recurring Challenge for Cruises
This incident is part of a broader pattern of gastrointestinal illnesses at sea. According to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program, 22 cruise ship outbreaks have been tracked so far this year. Of those, 16 have been determined to be caused by norovirus.
This trend is consistent with recent years. Data reported by USA Today indicates that norovirus was responsible for 15 out of 18 total outbreaks in 2024, and for 13 of 14 outbreaks the year before. The close quarters and shared facilities on cruise ships can facilitate the rapid transmission of viruses like norovirus, making rigorous sanitation protocols critical for passenger and crew health.
