Norovirus Outbreaks on the Rise: How to Stay Healthy on Your Next Cruise Ship

Booking a cruise is supposed to mean relaxing by the pool and enjoying endless food. However, recent headlines about gastrointestinal illnesses at sea are causing concern for travelers. If you are packing for a vacation on the water, you need to know how to protect yourself from these highly contagious viruses.

The Current State of Illness at Sea

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships have hit multi-year highs recently. In 2023, the CDC recorded 13 major norovirus outbreaks on ships under its jurisdiction. This trend continued into 2024 with significant outbreaks reported on major lines. For example, over 100 passengers fell ill on Cunard’s Queen Victoria, and similar clusters appeared on sailings operated by Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises.

The CDC tracks these illnesses through its Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP). Ships that carry over 13 passengers and stop at U.S. ports must report the number of passengers and crew experiencing symptoms of gastrointestinal illness. When that number hits 3% of the total population on board, the CDC officially logs it as an outbreak and posts the data publicly. The tight living quarters and shared dining spaces make cruise ships a perfect environment for these numbers to climb rapidly.

Understanding Norovirus

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. People often call it the “stomach flu,” but it is not related to the influenza virus at all. It spreads through direct contact with an infected person, touching contaminated surfaces, or eating contaminated food.

Symptoms usually appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure. The most common signs include:

• Sudden and severe vomiting
• Watery diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Mild fever and body aches

The illness is brutal but generally short-lived. Most people recover in one to three days. However, losing three days of a seven-day Caribbean cruise is a terrible experience for any traveler.

Essential Hygiene Tips for Your Cruise

Protecting yourself requires proactive habits. You cannot control what other passengers do, but you can control your own exposure.

Skip the Hand Sanitizer

Many passengers walk onto the ship and immediately rely on the alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers placed outside the dining rooms. Here is a critical fact: standard alcohol-based hand sanitizers are largely ineffective against norovirus. The virus has a tough outer shell that alcohol cannot break through easily.

The only proven way to remove the virus from your hands is vigorous washing with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. You should wash your hands:

• After using the restroom
• Immediately before eating or drinking
• After touching high-traffic surfaces like elevator buttons, casino chips, or stair handrails
• After returning to the ship from a port excursion

Navigate the Buffet Safely

The ship’s buffet is a prime location for spreading germs. Hundreds of passengers touch the same serving tongs and beverage dispensers within a few hours. To stay healthy, try dining in the main dining room where staff members serve your food directly to your table.

If you do visit the buffet, use a paper napkin to hold the serving utensils. Never eat with your hands immediately after touching shared surfaces. If you grab a slice of pizza or a dinner roll, wash your hands in the nearest restroom right before you sit down to eat.

Disinfect Your Cabin

Your cabin steward works hard to keep your room clean, but they have limited time during turnover days. Take control of your own space by packing the right cleaning supplies. Bring EPA-registered disinfecting wipes that specifically state they kill norovirus. Common household wipes might not be strong enough unless they explicitly list norovirus or feline calicivirus on the back label.

Wipe down the following items as soon as you arrive in your stateroom:

• The television remote
• Door handles for the main door and the bathroom
• Light switches
• The telephone
• Bathroom faucets and flush buttons

Avoid Public Restrooms

Cruise ships have public restrooms near the pools, theaters, and bars. These are high-traffic areas where gastrointestinal viruses spread easily. Whenever possible, take the extra five minutes to walk back to your private cabin to use the restroom. If you must use a public facility, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and to open the door on your way out.

What to Do If You Feel Sick

If you start feeling stomach cramps or nausea, return to your cabin immediately. Do not try to push through the illness to attend a shore excursion or a formal dinner. Call the ship’s medical center right away.

The medical staff is highly trained to handle these outbreaks. They will often provide anti-nausea medication and rehydration fluids. Cruise lines will require you to isolate in your cabin for 24 to 48 hours after your symptoms resolve. This prevents the illness from spreading to other passengers and crew members.

During this time, drink plenty of bottled water, clear broths, or sports drinks like Gatorade if you packed them. Severe dehydration is the biggest risk of norovirus and can lead to a hospital visit at your next port of call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I catch norovirus on a cruise? Generally, cruise lines do not offer refunds if you get sick. However, if you purchased comprehensive travel insurance with trip interruption coverage, you can file a claim. Your insurance may reimburse you for the missed days of the cruise and cover any onboard medical bills.

How does the cruise ship clean after an outbreak? When cases rise, the crew switches to heavy-duty, hospital-grade disinfectants. They frequently wipe down public areas and deploy electrostatic sprayers to sanitize the air and surfaces. If an outbreak is severe, the cruise line will delay boarding for the next sailing to conduct a deep, ship-wide sanitation process.

Are there specific foods I should avoid to prevent illness? To lower your risk of foodborne illness, avoid raw or undercooked seafood like oysters. Skip unpeeled raw fruits and lukewarm buffet items. Stick to hot foods that are cooked to order.