Overview
- Holland America and the CDC said 81 of 2,593 passengers and 8 of 1,005 crew fell ill during the Dec. 28–Jan. 9 sailing.
- The CDC identified norovirus as the cause, with vomiting and diarrhea the predominant symptoms.
- Crew isolated sick individuals, collected stool samples for testing, and increased cleaning under the line’s outbreak plan.
- The company reported a comprehensive sanitization when the ship returned to Fort Lauderdale, consistent with CDC protocols.
- CDC records note this is the first cruise norovirus outbreak reported in 2026 and the Rotterdam’s second in 11 months after a larger February episode.