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I’ve always said that cruising is one of the best ways to vacation… but sometimes, even on the most exciting trips, unexpected things happen. This was one of those times.
On July 4th, Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas set sail from Los Angeles with nearly 4,000 passengers on board.
Everything seemed like smooth sailing — until over 130 passengers started feeling sick with what sounds like a nasty gastrointestinal illness.
What Actually Happened?
- 134 passengers (about 3.4% of everyone on board) and 7 crew members reported being sick.
- The symptoms? Diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps — basically a traveler’s worst nightmare.
- The illness hit hard enough that Royal Caribbean reported it to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program right after the cruise docked back in Los Angeles on July 11th.
And here’s the kicker — they still don’t know exactly what caused it.
Is It the Infamous Norovirus?
If you’ve cruised before, you’ve probably heard of norovirus — the “cruise ship virus.”
It spreads like wildfire in places where people are in close quarters (think cruise ships, schools, even jails).
This wasn’t even the worst case this year. Back in April, 250 passengers on the Queen Mary 2 got hit with norovirus.
But for the Navigator of the Seas, the CDC hasn’t confirmed yet if it’s norovirus. They’re still investigating.
What Did Royal Caribbean Do About It?
Royal Caribbean took this seriously:
- They boosted their cleaning and disinfection efforts.
- They isolated sick passengers to stop the spread.
- They also collected samples from the affected guests for testing.
Royal Caribbean even stated that the health and safety of their guests and crew are their top priority, and that they follow strict cleaning procedures onboard.
Here’s My Take — And What You Can Learn from It
Honestly? Outbreaks like this are rare, but they do happen. And while they can totally ruin a vacation for those affected, they usually pass within a day or two.
My tip?
- Wash your hands often — and with soap and water, not just sanitizer. (Norovirus can laugh in the face of hand sanitizer.)
- Be mindful of hygiene in shared spaces on board.
- If you ever feel sick on a cruise, report it right away — it helps prevent outbreaks.
👉 My Thought: These situations remind me that even with all the fun and relaxation cruising offers, a little extra caution goes a long way.
