NEARLY 100 cruise passengers and crew have been struck down with a contagious vomiting and diarrhea bug in a nightmare voyage.
With norovirus rampaging through Royal Caribbean International ship Serenade of the Seas, people warned such cruises were “floating petri dishes.”
Around 100 passengers and crew were struck down with the painful vomiting and diarrhea bug[/caption]
The CDC has been overseeing a deep-clean of the vessel[/caption]
Norovirus symptoms usually start between 12 and 48 hours of being infected with the bug[/caption]
Sufferers were struck down while enjoying a 13-night cruise.
The ship – which has 12 guest decks and was built in Germany – left San Diego on September 19, and was scheduled to arrive in Miami on Thursday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it had received initial notification of “the outbreak on September 28.
“Predominant symptoms are diarrhea and vomiting… (caused by) norovirus.”
Its breakdown of patient numbers said that 94 out of a total 1,874 passengers had so far reported falling ill during the voyage.
This equates to 5% of passengers onboard the Serenade of the Seas.
Plus, 4 out of 883 crew (0.5%) also reported being struck down with the highly contagious condition which leaves sufferers with gut-twisting pain.
However, there are fears the outbreak figure has risen.
One passenger revealed on social media overnight, “The number is higher now. I’m on board and my dad was sick with noro on here.”
Another passenger who is also “on the ship” added, “Since it’s a 13-night cruise, the average age is pretty high, I’d guess about 70 – one lady is 102.
“So it’s reasonable to assume the older you are, the more susceptible you are to getting sick.
“But they did take someone off in a helicopter today off the coast of Jamaica.”
PETRI DISHES
Many people have commented on social media about their fears of catching such bugs on lengthy cruise trips.
One slammed them as “floating petri dishes,” while another claimed, “cruise ships are a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria.”
Further comments included, “I can’t believe people still go on these after all the illnesses” and “have people learned nothing? Never take a cruise.”
Despite those fears, a “record 19 million Americans were projected to cruise this year,” AAA reported in January.
That’s a 4.5% increase from 2024, when 18.2 million Americans went on cruise vacations.
DEEP CLEAN
The CDC said that Royal Caribbean International and the crew aboard the ship have been taking action to minimize the outbreak.
For example, they have:
- Collected poo specimens from gastrointestinal illness cases for testing
- Isolated ill passengers and crew
- Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures
Health officials at the CDC’s vessel sanitation program are “remotely monitoring the situation.”
This “includes a review of the ship’s outbreak response and sanitation procedures,” the CDC added.
Contact the ship’s medical facility for a complimentary consultation and treatment.
A Royal Caribbean letter to guests on the Serenade asked passengers to “wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after restroom breaks and again before eating.
“Hand sanitizing gel is not a substitution for thorough hand washing with soap and warm water.”
SEE DOCTOR
Travelers were also told, “During this sailing, some guests onboard have experienced gastrointestinal illness.
“In an abundance of caution, we’ve implemented enhanced sanitizing procedures.
“We are taking all steps necessary to maintain our high health standards.”
The letter added that the outbreak was not expected to “have an impact on the remainder of our sailing.”
However, “if you experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea… at any time during your cruise, we request you contact the ship’s medical facility for a complimentary consultation and treatment.”
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is easily transmissible and very unpleasant
The highly infectious illness can hit people surprisingly quickly and cause bouts of vomiting and diarrhea.
It commonly spreads through food or water that is contaminated during preparation or through contaminated surfaces and through close contact with a person who is infected.
Norovirus infection occurs most frequently in closed and crowded environments.
Examples include hospitals, nursing homes, child care centres, schools and cruise ships.
You are likely to have caught norovirus if you experience a sudden sick feeling, projectile vomiting and watery diarrhea.
The main symptoms are:
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhea
- Being sick (vomiting)
- A high temperature
- A headache
- Aching arms and legs
Norovirus symptoms usually start between 12 and 48 hours of being infected with the bug.
Most people will start to feel better in two to three days.
2ND OUTBREAK IN TWO MONTHS
The U.S. Sun has contacted the Royal Caribbean for an update on the outbreak.
A Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson told Fox Business, “The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority.
“To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.”
It is just two months since a norovirus outbreak hit another Royal Caribbean International cruise.
More than 140 passengers and crew on its ship Navigator of the Seas were struck down with “diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps,” reported the CDC in July.
Cruise ships are required to report such outbreaks cases to the organization.
INSURANCE
AAA recommends travelers, “Consider getting travel insurance to protect your investment in case of a medical emergency or another interruption during your trip.
“Remember, most U.S. health insurance plans do not cover you at international destinations.”
The AAA said 72% of U.S. cruise passengers head to the Caribbean, “making it by far the most popular destination” as they are “seeking fun in the sun.”
