Massive Gastro Outbreak Prompts Caribbean Princess Cruise to Sail Back to Florida

Caribbean News…
11 February 2020 7:33pm
Princess Caribbean Cruise Liner

A Caribbean Princess cruise was cut short following a gastrointestinal outbreak aboard the ship, causing it to be denied entry to at least one island before it headed to its home port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Monday, CBS-affiliated TV station WINK reported today.

At least 299 passengers and 22 crew members aboard the ship operated by California-based Princess Cruise Lines Ltd. became sick, according to a statement from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“This is a highly unusual development and we share the disappointment of our guests,” the company said in a statement to The Associated Press, adding that those affected had mild cases of gastrointestinal illness but that out of caution, it discontinued the cruise.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry of Trinidad & Tobago said in a statement that it denied the ship entry as a precautionary measure given the outbreak, the WINK news report said.

The ship was carrying more than 3,000 passengers and more than 1,100 crew members. It was on a two-week trip that began Feb. 2 and was scheduled to end Feb. 16.

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