More than 150 cruise ship guests and crew have fallen ill during a Caribbean cruise this week.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was informed of the outbreak on March 11 and confirmed norovirus as the cause.
More than 150 guests and crew reported sick
The CDC reports 104 guests and 49 crew members experienced diarrhea and vomiting. According to CDC data, this is the first cruise ship norovirus outbreak confirmed this year. A previous outbreak in January was caused by E. coli.
Guests reported enhanced cleaning and sanitation procedures onboard, and ill guests and crew were isolated. More than 4,300 guests are currently sailing on Star Princess, which concludes its Caribbean voyage Saturday at Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades.
The week-long Western Caribbean sailing departed Florida on March 7 and called at Roatán, Honduras; Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.
“We quickly disinfected every area of the ship and added extra sanitizing throughout the voyage,” Princess Cruises said. “We also separated anyone feeling unwell so they could rest comfortably in private as an added precaution.”
Embarkation for the next cruise is delayed
Princess Cruises says it will conduct an intense deep cleaning when the ship docks Saturday. Guests booked on the next departure have been notified by email that embarkation is delayed.
“As an extra precaution, the ship will undergo additional disinfection in Fort Lauderdale,” the cruise line said. Check-in will begin at 12:30 p.m., with staterooms available in the afternoon. All guests must be onboard by 4:00 p.m., and the ship will depart shortly after.
Guests are advised not to arrive before 12:30 p.m. Those with Princess hotel or transfer packages will receive updated pickup times at the hotel or airport.
This is the second ship to report a gastro outbreak in 2026, following 23 reported cases in 2025.
