What began as a joyous celebration for a multi-generational family rapidly transformed into a holiday horror story, after a virulent new strain of influenza tore through their party aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
A Celebration Derailed by Sudden Sickness
Ellie Doyle, 34, her husband Michael, 41, and their three young children had joined Ellie's parents, siblings, and their children for a seven-day voyage from Miami. The trip marked her parents' 50th wedding anniversary, with planned stops in Nassau, San Juan, and St Thomas. The festive mood was shattered within hours when Ellie's two-year-old daughter, Norah, who has childhood asthma, became the first to fall ill.
Her father faced a 20-minute ordeal navigating the 15-deck Independence of the Seas to find the infirmary, receiving conflicting directions from crew members. "They kept sending us on a wild goose chase," Ellie told the Daily Mail.
The illness, described by doctors as a highly contagious and aggressive influenza strain, spread with alarming speed. Soon, Norah's twin brother Porter was vomiting and feverish. Their six-year-old sister Maisie fell ill next, followed by Ellie's 77-year-old father—a kidney transplant recipient—and her 73-year-old mother. In total, eleven family members were infected, with symptoms ranging from high fevers and severe body aches to breathing difficulties requiring oxygen.
Chaos Onboard as Ship Diverts Course
The family's crisis was part of a wider outbreak on the ship, which can carry over 4,300 passengers. Ellie reported that an unrelated passenger required a medical evacuation, forcing the vessel to divert to Turks and Caicos. Later, the ship changed course a second time for another emergency.
"The ship completely went off path," Ellie claimed. The onboard infirmary was described as "packed," with sick passengers evident in every hallway. She expressed concern over a single doctor being tasked with caring for thousands and noted a palpable lack of communication between crew departments.
"When we were first checking into the infirmary, we felt like they were annoyed that we were there," she said, adding that staff appeared more concerned with the cruise line's reputation and itinerary than patient care. Public areas, including restrooms and water slides, were closed due to unsanitary conditions.
Recovery and Warnings After the Holiday Hell
After disembarking in Miami on January 4, the family's ordeal continued during the two-day drive back to West Hartford, Connecticut, with children vomiting in the car. Once home, Ellie's husband tested positive for influenza.
Ellie, a seasoned cruiser, said this was her first experience with such chaos and vowed never to sail with young children again. "I wouldn't suggest anyone traveling by cruise with young children, especially during flu season," she warned. Despite all three of her children being vaccinated, they still contracted the virus, though she believes the shots prevented more severe illness.
The so-called 'super-flu' is identified by health experts as a new variant of Influenza A, known as subclade K. The CDC reports it accounts for an estimated 90% of current cases in the United States, driving a surge in hospitalisations. Experts strongly recommend vaccination, as the elderly, immunocompromised, and unvaccinated children are being hit hardest.
For Ellie, the dream holiday became a harsh lesson. "It was my sign to never leave Connecticut again," she joked wearily from the safety of home.
