More than 150 passengers and crew have been struck down by norovirus on the Princess Cruises’ Star Princess. The 7-day Caribbean cruise, carrying 4,307 people, is now docked at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after the nasty bug spread like wildfire onboard.
Norovirus Outbreak Sparks Chaos at Sea
The highly contagious virus hit hard, with 104 passengers and 49 crew members suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea. Sick passengers were quickly isolated to stop further spread. Meanwhile, the cleaning crew launched a full-scale disinfection blitz to tackle the outbreak.
“We quickly disinfected every area of the ship and added extra sanitising throughout the voyage,” said Princess Cruises. “Anyone feeling unwell was kept separate so they could rest comfortably in private – just an added precaution to keep other guests and crew safe.”
Star Princess Cut Short, Now Back in Port
The ship set sail from Fort Lauderdale on March 7 but had to cut its cruise short due to the outbreak. Star Princess is now berthed at Port Everglades while the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) carries out an environmental assessment and collects samples to pinpoint the source.
Norovirus is a notorious pest on cruise ships, thriving in crowded conditions and surviving for days on surfaces like door handles and railings without strict cleaning.
Outbreak Facts: Virus Hits Hard But Crew Fight Back
- Passengers affected: 104
- Crew members sick: 49
- Total onboard: 4,307
- Symptoms: Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Action taken: Isolation and deep cleaning
Princess Cruises has ramped up its cleaning efforts and keeps a close watch on everyone’s health. This nasty outbreak serves as a sharp reminder of how quickly viruses can spread when thousands are packed together on the high seas.
Passengers are urged to wash their hands regularly and follow crew instructions to avoid getting infected.
