A norovirus outbreak on a luxury cruise ship has made more than 240 sick. The recent outbreak was reported on the Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2.
Cunard is owned by the global cruise company Carnival Corporation.
Both passengers and crew have fallen ill with the predominant symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.
The outbreak was reported to the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), run by the U.S. Centres of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on March 18.
The VSP helps the cruise industry prevent and control public health issues.
According to CNN, the cruise ship began its voyage on March 8 from Southampton and will return to the English port after its transatlantic crossing on April 6.
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The outbreak was reported during the ship’s four-week-long return voyage from the UK to the Caribbean, CNN reports.
Of the 2,538 passengers on board, 224 passengers – 8.8 per cent, reported being ill during the voyage. A smaller percentage of crew, 17 of 1,232 – 1.4 per cent, reported being ill.
In response to the outbreak, Cunard Line and the crew aboard the ship reported increased cleaning and disinfection procedures according to their outbreak prevention and response plan, among other response measures, according to the CDC.
Other cruise ship outbreaks in 2025
The CDC’s outbreak reporting shows 12 gastro outbreaks have been reported on cruise ships in VSP’s jurisdiction – 10 of those outbreaks were caused by the highly contagious stomach bug norovirus.
Gastro outbreaks were the worst on cruise ships in over a decade last year
Norovirus and other stomach bugs are making waves on cruise ships — with data from the U.S. Centres for Disease Control revealing 2024 was one of the worst year for gastroenteritis illness outbreaks on cruise ship in over a decade.
CDC data shows 18 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness were reported on cruise ships in 2024 — with 14 of them being connected to norovirus.
One outbreak was linked to E. coli and another was linked to Salmonella. Two others were listed as unknown cause. The data shows seven of those outbreaks were reported in December 2024 alone, which led to the illness of hundreds of passengers.
In 2024, outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness were reported on cruises run by Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Silversea Cruises.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus, or Norwalk virus, is a foodbourne illness that usually develops symptoms of gastroenteritis within 24 to 48 hours.
Other symptoms can include a low-grade fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and fatigue.
Most people who catch the virus will feel better after a day or two, without any long-term health effects.
Food contaminated with the virus may still look, smell and taste normal.
Where am I more likely to become ill from norovirus?
Cruise ships are known breading grounds for norovirus — and other illnesses — because of the close contact lots of passengers have together in a shared space.
The Public Health Agency of Canada recognizes cruise ships as a place where outbreaks are more likely to occur along with other areas where people are in close contact such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, trains, child care facilities and food service settings.
In the U.S., cases of norovirus were surging in late 2024 — with 91 outbreaks reported in the week of Dec. 5 — up from 69 the week before.
Norovirus infections are typically not reported to Public Health Ontario. However, outbreaks at hospitals, long-term care homes or child care centres are usually reported by local public health units. Earlier this year, the Public Health Agency of Canada shared that cases of norovirus were being reported more frequently in Ontario in 2024 than the last five years.
How does norovirus spread on cruise ships?
“Norovirus can be especially challenging to control on cruise ships because of the close living quarters, shared dining areas, and rapid turnover of passengers,” the CDC says.
The CDC explains when ships dock, norovirus can be brought on board in contaminated food, water or by infected passengers.
“Repeated outbreaks on consecutive cruises may also result from infected crew or environmental contamination,” the CDC says. “This is because norovirus can persist on surfaces for days or weeks and is resistant to many common disinfectants.”
Norovirus is the most frequent cause of outbreaks of diarrheal disease on cruise ships, the CDC reports.
“These outbreaks often get media attention, which is why some people call norovirus the ‘cruise ship virus,’” that agency says.
How is Norovirus spread? What to do if you get sick?
According to the Brant County Health Unit, noroviruses are found in the feces or vomit of infected people. Aerosolized droplets in the air can infect someone nearby. It can also come from touching surfaces with the virus.
“There is no specific treatment, but drinking fluids is important to prevent dehydration,” the health unit said.
Drinking plenty of liquids to replace fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhea is particularly important for older adults, young children, pregnant people and immunocompromised people, the Public Health Agency of Canada advises.
In severe cases, patients may need to be hospitalized and given fluids intravenously.
How to prevent norovirus
The Public Health Agency of Canada website advises you can protect yourself and your family from norovirus by following these precautions:
- Wash your hands with soap and water especially after using the washroom, changing diapers and before preparing or eating food.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces after an episode of illness.
- Immediately wash clothing and linens that are soiled with vomit or diarrhea.
- Cook shellfish thoroughly before eating, especially oysters and clams.
- Wash raw fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean running water before you prepare and eat them.
- Drink water from a safe (treated or boiled) water supply.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a norovirus infection, or suspect that you have one, you should take the following precautions to avoid passing the illness on.
- Practise proper hand hygiene.
- Don’t prepare or serve food or drink to others.
- Don’t care for others until three days after you recover.
- Avoid others until you are well again.
How to stay healthy aboard a cruise ship
The CDC provides specific guidance on how to lower your risk of getting a stomach bug and spreading illness on your voyage. Here are some tips.
- Report your illness if you’re sick. Before your voyage, ask your cruise line if there are alternative cruising options and consult a doctor to find out whether it is safe for you to sail.
- During your voyage, call the ship’s medical facility as soon as possible and follow the medical staff’s recommendations.
- Wash your hands often to avoid exposing yourself and others to anything that may cause illnesses and spread germs. Wash your hands often but especially after using the toilet and before eating or smoking.
- Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water.
- Resting helps rebuild your immune system.
- Drinking water helps prevent dehydration.
- If you see someone get sick (vomiting or diarrhea) leave the area.
- Report it to cruise staff if they are not already aware.
With files from Janis Ramsay
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