Over 130 Passengers Sickened by Gastrointestinal Illness Aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise

More than 130 passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas fell ill with gastrointestinal symptoms during a recent cruise that departed from Los Angeles on July 4, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC reported that 134 passengers—roughly 3.4% of the 3,900 guests onboard—experienced diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Additionally, seven crew members out of 1,266 also reported symptoms. The cause of the outbreak remains undetermined, though officials are investigating.

The incident was reported to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) when the ship returned to port on July 11, after a weeklong voyage along the Pacific.

So far in 2025, the CDC has documented 18 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships—equaling the total number of such outbreaks for all of 2024. Norovirus, a highly contagious pathogen often dubbed the “cruise ship virus,” is frequently responsible for similar episodes.

Although it has not yet been confirmed in this case, norovirus is known for spreading easily in confined settings such as ships, schools, and correctional facilities. A similar outbreak occurred in April aboard the Queen Mary 2, affecting about 250 passengers.

In response to the current incident, Royal Caribbean enhanced its cleaning and disinfection protocols and isolated those who were ill. Samples from affected individuals were collected for testing.

“The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority,” said a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean Group. “We implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which go beyond public health guidelines.”

CNN medical contributor Dr. Leana Wen commented that while gastrointestinal infections are “very unpleasant,” they usually resolve within 24 to 48 hours. She also emphasized the importance of thorough hand washing, noting that alcohol-based sanitizers do not kill norovirus.

As cruise travel rebounds in 2025, public health experts continue to urge travelers to practice good hygiene and report any symptoms promptly to avoid the spread of infections onboard.