Meta Description: Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas reports 98 norovirus cases during 13-day cruise. Learn about the outbreak details, prevention tips, and what passengers should know about cruise ship stomach bugs.
A significant norovirus outbreak aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship has affected nearly 100 passengers and crew members, marking another concerning incident in what has become a troubling trend for the cruise industry this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).[1]
Here’s everything you need to know about this latest maritime health crisis.
Which Cruise Ship, and How Many People Got Sick?
During a 13-day journey from San Diego to Miami, 94 passengers and four crew members aboard the Serenade of the Seas contracted norovirus, commonly referred to as the stomach bug.[2]
The voyage began on September 19, 2025, but trouble started nine days into the trip on September 28, when passengers began experiencing severe symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting.[3]
By the time the ship reached its final destination on October 2, the highly contagious virus had infected approximately 5% of all passengers and 0.5% of the crew members aboard.[4]
What’s Being Done About the Outbreak
The CDC reports that Royal Caribbean International implemented comprehensive response measures with their healthy crew members to contain the outbreak:[5]
- Enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols throughout the vessel
- Collection of stool samples from affected individuals for laboratory testing
- Immediate isolation of symptomatic passengers and crew members
- Direct consultation with the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program regarding proper cleaning procedures and reporting protocols
Notably, the Serenade of the Seas had previously earned an impressive sanitation score of 96 out of 100 during a CDC inspection conducted on June 25, 2025, demonstrating the ship’s typically high hygiene standards.[6]
What You Should Know
Norovirus outbreaks have become an increasingly common problem aboard cruise vessels. This incident represents the 14th documented norovirus outbreak on cruise ships in 2025 alone.[7]
The virus presents unique challenges due to its exceptional resilience and contagiousness. It can remain viable on surfaces for several weeks and proves remarkably difficult to eliminate compared to other pathogens. Notably, norovirus belongs to the rare 0.01% of germs that standard hand sanitizers cannot effectively destroy.[8]
The confined environment of cruise ships creates ideal conditions for rapid virus transmission. Additionally, outbreaks aboard vessels are more easily documented and monitored compared to those occurring on land.[9]
Transmission typically occurs when individuals ingest the virus, most commonly through consuming contaminated food or beverages, or by touching contaminated surfaces and subsequently touching their mouth.[10]
The CDC recommends these essential prevention strategies for cruise passengers:[11]
- Practice frequent, thorough handwashing with soap and water—do not depend solely on hand sanitizer
- Maintain proper hydration by drinking plenty of water and ensure adequate rest
- Immediately exit any area where someone is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea
- Report any illness symptoms to the ship’s medical facility without delay
