Cruise warning as ships hit hard by record number of contagious outbreaks

The year of 2024 was the worst year for stomach bug outbreaks on cruise ships in over a decade, with 890 cases of norovirus across five outbreaks in December alone

Cruise ships have witnessed the worst year for stomach bug outbreaks in over a decade.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified 2024 as the worst year for stomach illness outbreaks on cruise ships in over a decade, as norovirus cases surged in the US. In December 2024 alone, there were five reported norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships, with a total of 890 cases. In total, 16 outbreaks occurred between January 3 and December 29, 2024.

The last time there were as many as 16 outbreaks was 12 years ago, in 2012. Out of all the outbreaks to have occurred in 2024, the causative agent for 11 was norovirus, reports The Independent. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus, where infected individuals will experience symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.

The CDC suggests that the recovery time for most people suffering with norovirus is between one and three days, however the virus can remain contagious for a few days after symptoms go away. “Most outbreaks occur when infected people spread the virus to others through direct contact (such as caring for them, sharing food, or eating utensils with them),” the CDC states.

Every year the CDC estimates that there are between 2,500 norovirus outbreaks, with anywhere between 19 to 21 million cases in the US. November to April is the most at-risk time for norovirus outbreaks.

Earlier in December, the CDC released its annual Vessel Sanitation Program list of the dirtiest ships in the past 12 months. Cruise ships are given a score out of 100, based on a number of factors from the cleanliness of the pools.

Across 2024, 152 inspections were carried out, 23 of which required a second inspection. The average score was 95.9, however nine of the dirtiest shops received scores between 86 and 89. A score of below 85 is categorised as ‘non-satisfactory’. In September, the Hanseatic Inspiration by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises received a score of 62. However, in October a follow-up inspection increased its score to 89.

The nine ships that failed to score a 90 or above in 2024:

• Hanseatic Inspiration by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (originally scored 62 in September before it scored 89 in October)
• Carnival Elation by Carnival Cruise Line (scored 89 in March)
• Adventure of the Seas by Royal Caribbean International (scored 89 in January)
• National Geographic Sea Bird by Lindblad Expeditions (scored 88 in July)
• Carnival Miracle by Carnival Cruise Line (scored 88 in April)
• MSC Magnifica by MSC Cruises (scored 86 in May)
• Evrima by Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (scored 86 in February)
• Carnival Breeze by Carnival Cruise Line (scored 86 in March)
• Caribbean Princess by Princess Cruises (scored 86 in March)