Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes (2024)

No one wants to get sick, especially on vacation, and Royal Caribbean implemented a program in 2023 that got rid of one of the worst illnesses people sometimes catch on cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes (1)

Within Royal Caribbean Groups' environmental stewardship report for 2023 is a section that details what the company is doing to improve public health on its ships.

The Norovirus Eradication Campaign was launched in 2023 on Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises vessels with the ultimate goal of eliminating transmission of norovirus on its ships.

Norovirus is referred to as "the stomach flu", and is easily spread from person to person.

Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes (2)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 19 to 21 million cases of vomiting and diarrhea illnesses caused by norovirus each year.

Norovirus is transmitted when someone ingests particles of vomit or feces from an infected person, such as through consuming food touched by an infected individual, touching contaminated surfaces and then their mouth, or placing contaminated objects on clean surfaces.

The CDC says the most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain.

Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes (3)

While only about 1% of all annual norovirus cases reported in the U.S. happen on cruise ships, the perception is it occurs more frequently due to media reports of gastrointestinal viral outbreaks on cruise ships. This is partly because health officials track illness on cruise ships, so outbreaks are found and reported more quickly on a cruise ship than on land.

You're far more likely to catch norovirus at a long-term care facility, hospital, childcare center, or school.

Regardless, because of the media attention reports of the virus on cruise ships attract, Royal Caribbean Group took action to mitigate cases.

A new approach

Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes (4)

In June 2023, Royal Caribbean launched a norovirus eradication campaign that included a range of new protocols and policies.

The six tenants of the program were outlined in the Seastainability report:

1. Enhanced acute GI training for onboard medical teams and traveling PHOs

2. Increased PHO oversight of our Outbreak Prevention Plan, which covers requirements like hand washing, buffet oversight and disinfectant mandates for all public areas aboard our ships

Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes (5)

3. Switching to PDI SaniCloth Prime hospital-grade disinfectant wipes (Link contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use!)

Unlike earlier wipes, PDI wipes carry an EPA claim against norovirus, helping them play a key role in reducing acute GI cases onboard cruise ships.

4. New contactless tap technology, eliminating the need for crew to handle guest cards

5. Enhanced crew training on what to do when experiencing acute GI symptoms and how to avoid cross-contamination in food and beverage service areas

6. An update to our Safety & Quality Management system to stop self-service in buffets if the onboard norovirus rate exceeds 1.5%

According to the report, after the eradication campaign was implemented in June 2023, there was not a single norovirus outbreak onboard any Royal Caribbean International or Celebrity Cruise ship for the remainder of 2023.

It is worth noting the CDC outbreaks page does list Celebrity Constellation as having an outbreak in January 2024.

Something else trialed was the implementation of Synexis BioDefense purifiers. On eight cruise ships, these units reduced the presence of microbes associated with diseases like COVID-19, influenza and norovirus.

97.3% public health inspection scores

Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes (7)

Another big step Royal Caribbean Group made in improving the health of guests and crew members on its ships was to invest more in its public health inspection program.

All cruise ships participate in the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program, which has been in place since the 1970s to conduct random, unannounced inspections of ships if they wish to visit a port in the United States.

The program enforces strict health and safety guidelines, covering the cleaning of high-touch areas and the management of food storage in freezers, refrigerators, and galleys.

Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes (8)

Royal Caribbean Group hired new internal public health inspectors to help the ships improve their public health practices.

The team reviewed public health trends and past areas of concern to come up with recommendations to do better.

Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes (9)

As a result of these and other improvements, the average United States Public Health Services (USPHS) inspection score was 97.3 across the fleet. In fact, 10 ships scored a perfect 100

A ship must score 85 or above to pass inspection.

Should you be concerned about getting norovirus on a cruise?

Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes (10)

Royal Caribbean Group's eradication program is certainly a positive step, but if you're still worried about catching norovirus, the risks are low.

Even before this new initiative was put into place, the CDC acknowledges that risks are quite low on cruise ships compared to your chances of catching it elsewhere on land. In short, the math points to it being an unlikely scenario for you to encounter.

Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes (11)

Moreover, the cruise industry as a whole was already headed to a better place prior to 2020. The rate of acute gastroenteritis illnesses on cruise ships decreased during 2006-2019 for passengers and crew, according to CDC data.

Read more: How To Avoid Getting Sick on a Cruise

The CDC advises frequent hand washing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds to prevent the spread of norovirus. Key times for handwashing include after using the restroom or changing diapers, and before eating, preparing food, or handling medicine.

Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes (12)

If you want to bring something on your ship to help lower the chance of catching norovirus, Lysol and Clorox products are among the bleaches the Environmental Protection Agency lists as being effective against norovirus. Before you buy anything, keep in mind bleach isn't allowed on cruise ships.

Read more: What can you not bring on a cruise

Instead, you could pack hydrogen peroxide wipes (just don’t flush them down the toilet). We recommend these Clorox Healthcare Hydrogen Peroxide Wipes for taking with you on your ship (Link contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use!).

Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes (2024)

FAQs

Royal Caribbean eliminated norovirus outbreaks on its cruise ships last year after making big changes? ›

According to the report, after the eradication campaign was implemented in June 2023, there was not a single norovirus outbreak onboard any Royal Caribbean International or Celebrity Cruise ship for the remainder of 2023.

Which cruise ships have norovirus outbreaks? ›

Norovirus: Nearly 200 sick in outbreaks on Princess, Royal Caribbean ships, CDC says. Nearly 200 passengers on U.S. cruise ships suffered from diarrhea and vomiting in norovirus outbreaks in April, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why are norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships so difficult to eradicate? ›

Because there are multiple means of transmission and the viral “dose” needed to cause an infection is so low, norovirus outbreaks are notoriously difficult to control. It's particularly true in group settings such as hospitals, schools, cruise ships, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

How likely is it to get norovirus on a cruise ship? ›

Incorrectly Called the Cruise Ship Disease

In the U.S., the risk of getting norovirus each year is about 1 in 15; a cruise passenger has about a 1 in 5,500 risk of getting laboratory-confirmed norovirus during a shipboard outbreak.

Do norovirus epidemics occur at the highest rate on cruise ships? ›

Why are acute gastrointestinal illnesses including noroviruses associated with cruise ships? Health officials track illness on cruise ships. So outbreaks are found and reported more quickly on a cruise ship than on land. Close living quarters may increase the amount of group contact.

Which cruise line has the least illness? ›

The 15 cruise ships with perfect scores of 100
Cruise shipCruise lineScore
Norwegian JoyNorwegian Cruise Lines100
Norwegian PearlNorwegian Cruise Lines100
Oceania RivieraOceania Cruises100
RotterdamHolland America Line100
11 more rows
Jul 9, 2023

What is the most common illness on cruise ships? ›

Respiratory Illnesses. Respiratory illnesses are the most common medical complaint on cruise ships.

Is anyone immune to norovirus? ›

A genetic quirk protects some people from norovirus.

Where is norovirus hitting hardest? ›

As you said, in recent weeks, the hardest-hit region has been the Northeast. They're experiencing their highest rate of the virus since last April. And if we look at the CDC data published last week, cases of norovirus have increased in New York City and across other states in the Northeast in recent months.

Why do so many people get sick on cruises? ›

More than 90% of cruise ship gastro outbreaks are caused by norovirus, which is spread from person to person, and through contaminated objects or contaminated food or water. Gastro can also be caused by other pathogens such as bacteria in contaminated food or water.

Is there a norovirus outbreak in 2024? ›

Respiratory virus season may winding down as the U.S. enters spring, but the 2023–2024 norovirus season is still underway.

Who is the most common victim of norovirus? ›

Persons >65 years of age are at greatest risk for norovirus-associated death, and children <5 years of age have the highest rates of norovirus-associated medical care visits.

Who is less likely to get norovirus? ›

People who do not make H1-antigen in their intestinal cells make up 20% of the European-derived population and are resistant to many strains of norovirus. More sugars can be attached to the H1-antigen to give the A, B or AB blood types. People who can't make the A and B modifications have the O blood type.

What is the best cruise line for adults? ›

The 10 Best Cruise Lines for Adults [2024]
  • Viking Ocean + Expedition Cruises.
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
  • Seabourn Cruise Line.
  • Celebrity Cruises.
  • Holland America Cruise Line.
  • Royal Caribbean International.
  • Princess Cruises.
  • Silversea Cruises.
Apr 18, 2024

How to avoid getting norovirus on a cruise ship? ›

Wash Your Hands Frequently

You should also pack your own small bottles of hand sanitizer to use throughout the cruise. While washing your hands with soap and water is preferable to using hand sanitizer, either method will help defend yourself against gastrointestinal disease.

Where are the most commonly reported norovirus outbreaks? ›

Healthcare Facilities

Over half of all norovirus outbreaks reported in the United States occur in long-term care facilities.

Which virus type is appearing more and more on cruise ships causing major outbreaks of intestinal distress? ›

Norovirus

Norovirus — marked by diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain — is to blame for more than 90 percent of diarrheal disease outbreaks on cruises, according to the CDC.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tuan Roob DDS

Last Updated:

Views: 5849

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tuan Roob DDS

Birthday: 1999-11-20

Address: Suite 592 642 Pfannerstill Island, South Keila, LA 74970-3076

Phone: +9617721773649

Job: Marketing Producer

Hobby: Skydiving, Flag Football, Knitting, Running, Lego building, Hunting, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Tuan Roob DDS, I am a friendly, good, energetic, faithful, fantastic, gentle, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.