A major norovirus outbreak has been confirmed on a Holland America Line cruise ship, leaving almost 100 passengers and crew members sick with gastrointestinal symptoms during a voyage around the southern Caribbean.
Outbreak Details and Voyage Itinerary
The incident occurred aboard the MS Rotterdam during a round-trip journey that departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 28 December. The ship made scheduled stops in destinations including Curaçao, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Jamaica before returning to port on 9 January.
According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 94 people reported being ill during the voyage. The ship was carrying 2,593 passengers and 1,005 crew members at the time.
Response and Sanitation Measures
In response to the escalating gastrointestinal illness, the ship's crew implemented enhanced protocols. These actions included:
- Increasing cleaning and disinfection procedures across the vessel.
- Collecting stool samples from affected individuals for laboratory testing.
- Isolating ill passengers to help prevent further spread of the virus.
- Consulting with experts from the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP).
The VSP stated it "remotely monitored the situation, including review of the ship's outbreak response and sanitation procedures." Holland America Line told media that the cases were "mostly mild and quickly resolved."
Understanding Norovirus and Cruise Ship Risks
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, leading to symptoms such as sudden vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, and stomach pain. While most people recover within one to three days, individuals can remain contagious for several days after symptoms subside.
This incident is not isolated. In 2025 alone, the CDC reported 23 separate outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships, with 17 of those confirmed to be caused by norovirus. Notably, the same ship, the Rotterdam, experienced a similar outbreak in March 2025, with 89 passengers falling ill.
Following the conclusion of the latest voyage, Holland America Line emphasised that "the health of our guests and crew is a top priority" and confirmed a comprehensive sanitisation of the entire ship was conducted in Fort Lauderdale, consistent with CDC protocols.
