Two recent outbreaks of norovirus on Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruises ships have left over 200 crew members and passengers feeling ill. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 183 out of 2,853 guests and 14 out of 1,232 crew members on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 experienced symptoms of the virus. The outbreak occurred during a Caribbean itinerary from March 8 to April 6. On Seabourn Encore, seven passengers and 22 crew members fell ill out of a total of 461 passengers and 405 employees, respectively. Both vessels exceeded the CDC’s minimum threshold for reporting gastrointestinal illnesses, with a total of 226 people affected.
In response to the outbreaks, both cruise lines implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures to contain the virus and minimize the number of affected individuals. The quarantined individuals worked closely with the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program, and stool specimens were collected for testing. A representative from Seabourn assured USA Today that the cases were mild and quickly resolved. The CDC has reported a total of 12 outbreaks in 2025, with 10 of them caused by norovirus, including the recent incidents on Queen Mary 2 and Seabourn Encore.
Despite the recent outbreaks, the risk of infection remains relatively low on cruise ships compared to on land. The Cruise Line Industry Association states that one out of 15 people in the US is infected by norovirus annually, while cruise ship passengers have a one in 5,500 chance of contracting it during sailings. Guests can minimize their risk by practicing good hygiene habits such as regular handwashing, getting enough rest, and staying hydrated.
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