More than 90 passengers and crew members aboard the Royal Caribbean International cruise ship Radiance of the Seas experienced a gastrointestinal illness during a weeklong voyage that began on February 1 from Tampa, Florida. The outbreak resulted in symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, prompting immediate health measures onboard.
- Over 90 people fell ill on cruise.
- Outbreak occurred on Radiance of the Seas.
- CDC monitoring outbreak and sanitation efforts.
- Passengers quarantined with food and medication.
- Royal Caribbean offered compensation for quarantine.
- Norovirus suspected but not confirmed yet.
The Radiance of the Seas cruise ship, which had 2,164 passengers and 910 crew members, returned to Tampa after visiting Cozumel, Roatan Islands, Belize City, and Costa Maya. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 89 passengers and two crew members were affected by the illness. The CDC was informed of the outbreak halfway through the cruise and is currently investigating the cause.
In response to the outbreak, the ship’s crew increased cleaning and sanitation protocols. Passengers who fell ill were required to quarantine for 24 to 36 hours and received complimentary food and medication during their isolation. The crew served food at the buffet to minimize contact, and extensive cleaning of high-touch surfaces was conducted throughout the ship.
Janet Kruse, a passenger who traveled with a dance group, noted that about 10% of her group fell ill shortly after boarding. She described the crew’s response as calm and professional, stating that passengers were informed about the illness without causing panic. The cruise line collected information from passengers regarding their health status, although they did not confirm the specific illness.
Norovirus is often associated with gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships, and the CDC is awaiting test results from stool samples collected from affected individuals. The situation is being monitored closely by the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program.
This outbreak on the Radiance of the Seas highlights the importance of sanitation and health monitoring on cruise ships, especially during voyages with large numbers of passengers. The situation continues to be assessed as health officials work to determine the cause of the illness.
