Passengers who recently sailed — or are currently sailing — aboard Norwegian Encore are being notified about a health investigation after two former guests were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease following a cruise in December 2025.
While this news may sound alarming at first, Norwegian Cruise Line and health authorities are treating the situation with caution and transparency, and so far, onboard testing has not found any signs of contamination.
Two Former Guests Diagnosed After Sailing
The investigation began after two individuals who had previously sailed on Norwegian Encore were later diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, a serious form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.
Norwegian Cruise Line immediately began working alongside the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate the situation.
In its communication to guests, the cruise line explained that testing is being conducted as part of standard health safety procedures.
The focus is on checking the ship’s water systems, since Legionella bacteria typically thrive in stagnant or poorly maintained water environments.
So far, all test results onboard have come back negative.
Ship Water Systems Being Thoroughly Tested
As part of the investigation, Norwegian Encore’s crew has been testing multiple water sources across the vessel, including:
- Showers
- Cabin faucets
- Hot tubs
- Other onboard water systems
These precautionary checks are designed to rule out any onboard contamination. At this stage, there is no confirmation that the illness originated from the ship itself.
Norwegian Cruise Line made it clear that the exact source of exposure remains unknown, and it is entirely possible the affected guests contracted the illness somewhere else.
CDC Monitoring Situation Closely
The CDC is actively overseeing the investigation and continuing to monitor the ship as testing progresses.
Legionnaires’ disease has an incubation period that typically ranges from 2 to 14 days, but it can sometimes take longer for symptoms to appear.
This makes it difficult to determine exactly where exposure occurred. Importantly, Legionnaires’ disease does not spread from person to person.
Instead, it is transmitted through inhaling contaminated water droplets, such as steam or mist.
What Guests Should Watch For
Norwegian Cruise Line is advising guests who sailed recently — or are currently onboard — to remain alert for symptoms and seek medical attention if needed.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent coughing
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
Older adults and those with weakened immune systems or chronic lung conditions are considered higher risk.
Guests using medical devices like CPAP machines are also advised to use distilled water rather than tap water as a precaution.
Norwegian Encore Continues Sailing Normally
Despite the investigation, Norwegian Encore continues operating its regular schedule without any disruptions.
The ship sails 7-night Caribbean itineraries from Miami and accommodates nearly 4,000 guests, along with more than 2,000 crew members.
There have been:
- No itinerary changes.
- No cruise cancellations.
- No confirmed onboard contamination.
The current testing is purely precautionary.
This Type of Notification Is Standard Practice
Cruise lines routinely notify guests whenever cases like this are reported, even if the ship is not confirmed as the source.
Similar precautionary alerts have occurred in the past across multiple cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, without any confirmed shipboard outbreaks.
These proactive steps are designed to ensure passenger safety and maintain transparency.
ShipboardCruiser Insight
Situations like this can sound concerning, but Norwegian Cruise Line’s response follows strict health protocols.
Immediate testing, CDC oversight, and guest notifications show the cruise line is taking the matter seriously.
At this point, there is no evidence that Norwegian Encore’s water systems are contaminated, and cruises continue as scheduled.
