A recent norovirus outbreak aboard Holland America Line’s Rotterdam cruise ship impacted nearly 90 individuals, including passengers and crew, during a voyage that ended earlier this month, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The 13-day journey, which took place from December 28 to January 9, saw 81 of the 2,593 passengers and 8 of the 1,005 crew members affected, representing just over 3% of those onboard. Symptoms primarily included gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Holland America Line notified the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program about the outbreak on January 8, just before the voyage concluded. In response, the cruise line implemented various containment measures, including enhanced cleaning protocols and isolating those who were symptomatic. Medical staff also collected stool samples for laboratory testing, which confirmed the presence of norovirus.
Norovirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis among cruise passengers and crew. The CDC defines gastrointestinal illness as experiencing three or more loose stools within a 24-hour period or vomiting accompanied by other symptoms like muscle aches or fever. The Rotterdam incident is part of a broader trend, with multiple recent outbreaks reported across the cruise industry.
In 2025, the CDC recorded 22 gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships, with 17 attributed to norovirus. Holland America accounted for seven of these, the highest number among cruise lines. Health officials emphasize the importance of handwashing and prompt reporting of symptoms to medical staff to help contain outbreaks, as illnesses can spread through contaminated food, water, or person-to-person contact.
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