Even after a norovirus outbreak on the Caribbean Princess cruise, life on board felt fairly normal for many passengers. Jan van Milligen, traveling with family from South Africa, shared, “The normal atmosphere is still here. We went to a show last night and had dinner this morning.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 102 passengers and 13 crewmembers got sick, mainly with symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. The outbreak occurred during a recent cruise from April 28 to May 11 in the Caribbean.
As of Saturday, the ship was headed to Nassau in the Bahamas. Princess Cruises mentioned that only a “limited number” of individuals reported mild symptoms. The company swiftly disinfected the entire ship and enhanced sanitizing measures throughout the voyage. Following the outbreak, both sick passengers and crew were isolated for testing.
Passengers noticed stricter hygiene protocols, including frequent handwashing and limited self-service at buffets. Donna Leonte, a passenger celebrating her wedding anniversary, commented on the increased sanitation efforts. “Washing stations are manned, and Purell sanitizers are everywhere,” she said. Despite the situation, she and others continued to enjoy onboard activities, emphasizing the importance of staying mindful and taking precautions.
Interestingly, similar protocols were put in place recently when over 150 people fell ill on another Princess Cruises ship. Norovirus spreads rapidly, especially in close quarters like cruise ships, which is why cruise lines must report outbreaks affecting more than 3% of passengers or crew to the CDC.
The key takeaway? Travelers should prioritize hygiene, especially in group settings, to help minimize the risk of outbreaks.
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