Mystery gastro illness rips through Royal Caribbean cruise leaving 180 passengers with brutal symptoms

A mysterious gastrointestinal outbreak on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship has caused 180 passengers onboard and three staff to suffer unpleasant symptoms. 

Those onboard the Radiance of the Seas ship have reported experiencing diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and muscle aches while on a Alaskan voyage. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the as yet unknown sickness plagued those onboard the September 20 to 27 trip. 

The same vessel was plagued by a norovirus outbreak earlier this year. That causes similar symptoms – although the reason for the latest mass-illness has not yet been identified. 

Just over 8 percent of the 2,172 passengers onboard fell sick, equating to 180, while three crew members of the 894 staff onboard also reported falling ill. 

Due to the outbreak, crew members raised the alarm with passengers encouraged to report cases and to engage in good hand hygiene. 

This latest outbreak is the second this year aboard the Radiance of the Seas after nearly 70 people came down with norovirus in April. A computer illustration of Norovirus is seen here

Other steps included an increase in cleaning and disinfection in order to help contain it. 

In a statement, Royal Caribbean said: ‘The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority.

‘To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.’

This latest outbreak is the second this year aboard the Radiance of the Seas, after nearly 70 people came down with norovirus in April. 

In a voyage from Tampa, Florida, to Los Angeles, California, 67 of the 1,993 guests onboard fell ill as well as two crew members. 

In 2024, the CDC has logged 10 outbreaks of gastro illness that met its threshold for notifying the public. Norovirus has been listed as the reason in all but three of those.

In April, epidemiologist and chief of infectious diseases at NYU Langone Health’s Tisch Hospital said cruise ships weren’t unique, and the bug spread in any setting. 

She told USA Today: ‘There’s not something special or unique about cruise ships.

Norovirus infections are caused by a group of viruses that spread remarkably easily and can take as few as 10 particles to make someone unwell

‘It’s really any type of congregate setting, but it’s also happening out in the community on a much smaller scale among households and household contacts. 

‘It just doesn’t come to the attention of public health as much as it does for larger congregate settings.’

Norovirus infections are caused by a group of viruses that spread remarkably easily and can take as few as 10 particles to make someone unwell. 

It can spread from person to person, in food or water or on contaminated surfaces including door knobs or handrails. 

The main symptoms are nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Some people also have a high temperature, a headache and aching arms and legs.

In severe cases, some people may need to be hospitalized with the elderly and children most at-risk.