More than 230 passengers and crew members aboard the Queen Mary 2 became ill with norovirus symptoms during a recent luxury cruise from England.
Norovirus Outbreak Sickens Over 230 on Queen Mary 2 Luxury Cruise
Norovirus Outbreak Sickens Over 230 on Queen Mary 2 Luxury Cruise
Recent norovirus outbreak during a Caribbean cruise has affected passengers and crew, prompting sanitation measures.
The luxury cruise ship, Queen Mary 2, is presently facing a significant health scare as over 230 individuals on board have been reported to be infected with norovirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the illness has affected 224 passengers and 17 crew members during the 29-day journey that embarked from Southampton, England, on March 8, 2025.
The outbreak was first noted on March 18, shortly after the ship made a stop in New York City, where passengers began to report distressing symptoms, including diarrhea and vomiting. In response to the alarming situation, the ship's crew has implemented strict isolation protocols for those affected and initiated extensive sanitation procedures to contain the spread of the infection.
The Queen Mary 2, owned by Cunard Lines, has made additional stops in destinations such as St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts, and Tortola throughout its voyage, and has been monitoring the health of its passengers closely. "Thanks to our crew's swift response and the existing measures taken, we are starting to see a decline in reported cases," Cunard reported.
As a modern ocean liner launched in 2004 and stretching 1,132 feet long, the Queen Mary 2 is one of the largest in the world. It has previously experienced norovirus outbreaks; a notable incident in 2013 saw more than 200 individuals sickened during a voyage that required a substantial cleanup operation.
Norovirus is known for its high transmission rates in environments like cruise ships, where groups of people share close quarters. The CDC indicates that around 21 million Americans are infected with norovirus annually. The virus spreads easily from person to person and via contaminated food and water, with no specific treatment available, although most recover within days.
Under CDC regulations, cruise ships are mandated to report outbreaks, which encompass the full count of sick individuals throughout the journey. Additionally, other vessels have faced similar outbreaks; for example, a recent Seabourn Encore cruise had 34 people fall ill since departing Japan, and a Holland America ship reported 89 cases during a cruise from Florida.
As the Queen Mary 2 continues its journey back to Southampton, where it’s slated to dock on April 6, passengers and crew remain hopeful for a swift resolution to the outbreak.
The outbreak was first noted on March 18, shortly after the ship made a stop in New York City, where passengers began to report distressing symptoms, including diarrhea and vomiting. In response to the alarming situation, the ship's crew has implemented strict isolation protocols for those affected and initiated extensive sanitation procedures to contain the spread of the infection.
The Queen Mary 2, owned by Cunard Lines, has made additional stops in destinations such as St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts, and Tortola throughout its voyage, and has been monitoring the health of its passengers closely. "Thanks to our crew's swift response and the existing measures taken, we are starting to see a decline in reported cases," Cunard reported.
As a modern ocean liner launched in 2004 and stretching 1,132 feet long, the Queen Mary 2 is one of the largest in the world. It has previously experienced norovirus outbreaks; a notable incident in 2013 saw more than 200 individuals sickened during a voyage that required a substantial cleanup operation.
Norovirus is known for its high transmission rates in environments like cruise ships, where groups of people share close quarters. The CDC indicates that around 21 million Americans are infected with norovirus annually. The virus spreads easily from person to person and via contaminated food and water, with no specific treatment available, although most recover within days.
Under CDC regulations, cruise ships are mandated to report outbreaks, which encompass the full count of sick individuals throughout the journey. Additionally, other vessels have faced similar outbreaks; for example, a recent Seabourn Encore cruise had 34 people fall ill since departing Japan, and a Holland America ship reported 89 cases during a cruise from Florida.
As the Queen Mary 2 continues its journey back to Southampton, where it’s slated to dock on April 6, passengers and crew remain hopeful for a swift resolution to the outbreak.
