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12h ago

CDC Probes Unidentified Gastrointestinal Illness on Royal Caribbean Cruise

With stool samples pending confirmatory testing under a CDC probe, Royal Caribbean has maintained enhanced cleaning and isolation measures without canceling any itineraries.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 02: An aerial view from a drone shows Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Sea cruise ship docked at PortMiami on March 02, 2021 in Miami, Florida. Royal Caribbean Group announced plans to use the proceeds from a $1.5 billion sale of shares to pay off debt stemming from the pandemic. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The Navigator of the Seas cruise ship while docked at the CocoCay port where people can enjoy the private beach, food, drinks, and activities, Bahamas, October 12, 2019.
Navigator of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean International.

Overview

  • Over 140 individuals fell ill with vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea on the Navigator of the Seas during a July 4–11 Los Angeles–Mexico voyage.
  • The CDC collected stool specimens and continues to investigate an unknown causative agent as testing proceeds.
  • Royal Caribbean enforced rigorous disinfection protocols and isolated symptomatic passengers and crew in response to the outbreak.
  • This incident is one of 18 gastrointestinal illness events on cruise ships in 2025 that met CDC public-notification thresholds, most linked to norovirus.
  • No cruise itineraries were canceled or delayed after the incident, reflecting the company’s confidence in its containment measures.