More than 100 people have fallen ill aboard AIDA Cruises ship AIDAdiva.
The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a norovirus outbreak on the ship, with six crew members and 95 guests reported sick.
Enhanced Cleaning with Ill Guests in Isolation
The outbreak was reported a week ago during the ship’s 133-day world cruise. The CDC says the main symptoms have been diarrhea and vomiting.
MORE: The Truth and Lies of Norovirus
The cruise line has implemented enhanced cleaning and sanitation efforts and isolated all ill passengers and crew. The cruise line is cooperating fully with the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP).
“The VSP is remotely monitoring the situation, including review of the ship’s outbreak response and all sanitation procedures,” the CDC said in a statement.
AIDAdiva departed from Hamburg, Germany nearly a month ago, and is calling at ports in the UK, US, Mexico, Japan and South Africa.
The outbreak was reported during port calls in the US, in New York City and Miami. The voyage ends in Hamburg in March 2025. The ship is carrying just over 2,000 guests.
Cruise Line Says the Rate of Infection Is Dropping
“Seasonal illness peaks between November and April and the AIDAdiva report reflects infection patterns on land,” the cruise line said. “We have added more hygiene protocols onboard, and cases are already going down.”
The federal health agency has recorded 21 cruise ship illness outbreaks so far this year with 16 of them confirmed as norovirus as the causative agent. There were a total of 18 cruise ship outbreaks in 2024.
Norovirus is infectious and can spread through direct contact and contaminated food, water and unclean surfaces.
The CDC’s “Tips for Healthy Cruising” guidance encourages guests to wash their hands often and especially after using the toilet and before eating.
