Norovirus Cases Decline as Queen Mary 2 Nears End of Voyage

Over 200 passengers and 17 crew members fell ill during the month-long cruise, with enhanced sanitation measures helping to reduce new cases.

The Queen Mary 2 is set to return to Southampton, U.K., on April 6, concluding a month-long voyage that included stops in New York and the Caribbean.
Over 200 passengers and 17 crew members experienced norovirus symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea, during the cruise.
Cunard implemented enhanced cleaning, disinfection, and isolation protocols, which have reportedly led to a decline in new cases.
The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program is remotely monitoring the outbreak, with stool samples collected to confirm norovirus as the cause.
This outbreak is one of 12 gastrointestinal illness incidents reported on cruise ships in 2025, 10 of which have been confirmed as caused by norovirus.