A Holland America Line cruise that ended yesterday was impacted by a norovirus outbreak. The CDC reported that 74 guests and four crew members fell ill.
The 10-night cruise concluded Saturday when it returned to Port Everglades. The health agency says the predominant symptoms are diarrhea and vomiting. Infected guests and crew have been isolated.
“We initiated enhanced sanitation protocols in conjunction with the CDC to minimize further transmission,” Holland America Line said. As a result, boarding for the next cruise departure has been amended.
Boarding delays for next cruise
HAL said: “As a further precaution, upon arrival in Fort Lauderdale Saturday, the ship will undergo additional and comprehensive sanitization before embarking on its next voyage. Guests have been notified of updated boarding times to allow for the additional disinfection.”
There are 1,923 guests on the Zuiderdam’s Caribbean current cruise. Holland America Line said “cases have mostly been mild and quickly resolving.” HAL first reported illness aboard the ship on December 11.
12thcruise industry outbreak this year
The CDC has recorded 12 cruise ship illness outbreaks in 2024, with nine of these confirmed norovirus as the causative agent. There has been one salmonella and E. coli outbreak this year and one whose cause is still unclear.
It is the second norovirus outbreak on a Holland America Line ship this year. 104 guests and 17 crew members fell ill during a cruise on HAL ship Koningsdam in March.
Norovirus is highly contagious and can be spread through contaminated food, water, and unclean surfaces. Other typical gastrointestinal illness symptoms include muscle aches, headaches, abdominal cramps, and fever.
The CDC reports all instances when a ship illness outbreak affects at least 3% of passengers or crew under the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program.
In addition to investigating outbreaks, the VSP conducts cruise ship inspections and publishes the results. Inspections assess medical center equipment and documentation, dining areas, swimming pools and hot tubs, and potable water supply.
In 2024, Zuiderdam scored 100 percent on a CDC health USPH health inspection.
