Embarkation Delayed for Princess Ship Following Gastro Outbreak

Right here we go once more! On Could 18, 2025, the three,080 passenger Crown Princess skilled a delayed embarkation attributable to a suspected norovirus outbreak.
Particulars on what number of friends had been affected by the sickness are nonetheless unknown, but it surely was sufficient to warrant a delay to permit for a deep cleansing of the ship earlier than its subsequent cruise.
A letter despatched by Princess Cruises to booked passengers acknowledged, “Please be suggested there will likely be a slight delay within the embarkation course of to your upcoming Crown Princess voyage departing Brisbane on Tuesday, 18 Could.”
“In the course of the earlier voyage, circumstances of gastrointestinal sickness had been reported. Whereas most friends had been unaffected, we’ve got carried out a radical disinfection program in coordination with worldwide well being authorities,” the letter continued, including, “As an additional precaution, the ship will bear further disinfection on 18 Could.”
Additionally included within the letter had been the up to date embarkation occasions — which generally start between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
As a substitute, check-in was set to start at 1:30 p.m. and conclude at 4 p.m., with staterooms being prepared later within the afternoon. The cruise line critically urged friends to not present up early because of the restricted seating on the cruise terminal.
Past that, friends who had been with Princess accommodations or transfers had been supplied with new decide up occasions both on the airport or on the resort.
Together with the embarkation delay, passengers on the cruise through the outbreak observed that onboard actions turned extra restricted, in addition to self-service being stopped at The Horizon, which is a buffet-style eating venue.
One visitor who was on the ship on the time of the outbreak shared their expertise, saying, “We’re on crown princess now and due to norovirus on board we’ve got not been in a position to do any sports activities actions for a while now, or serve ourselves within the horizon, however the workers are doing an incredible job in maintaining with cleansing.”
Different passengers chimed in with their experiences, with some saying that there was additionally a minor respiratory virus going round on the identical time.
“Princess solely does a lot to disinfect the ship which they do after which it’s as much as individuals to scrub fingers and use the sanitiser. Likewise sporting [a mask]. Regardless of common directions to take action, the variety of contaminated individuals strolling round with out is so irritating,” one visitor shared.
“We’re on this cruise and it’s not as unhealthy as some are making it out to be, we’ve needed to be served within the buffet – massive deal. Favor it this manner anyway. We missed out on a perform for ‘Elite’ passengers, that’s okay too,” added one other.
Whereas Princess Cruises has indirectly confirmed that the gastrointestinal sickness was norovirus, it’s greater than probably the offender.
At the moment, Crown Princess is on a 15-night round-trip crusing out of Sydney, Australia. The itinerary consists of stops in Thriller Island in Vanuatu, Noumea in New Caledonia, Suva and Dravuni Island in Fiji, in addition to Bay of Islands and Auckland in New Zealand.
The Latest Repeat Offender
This isn’t the 113,561-gross ton Crown Princess‘ first time coping with an outbreak.
In November of 2024, there was a confirmed norovirus outbreak on Crown Princess, throughout which era it was additionally in Australia.
Passengers had been inspired to disembark whereas the ship stopped in Darwin to permit the crew to conduct a deep cleansing onboard.

On this case, the sanitization befell mid-voyage and lasted for about two hours. Even when friends stayed onboard, they had been nonetheless required to vacate their staterooms for cleansing (except that they had been positioned in isolation).
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This most up-to-date outbreak marks the second time this ship has had one in simply six months, however Crown Princess was really not the one vessel that underwent a deep cleansing on Could 18, 2025.
The three,780-guest Costa Favolosa additionally skilled a suspected norovirus outbreak, forcing passengers to disembark and vacate their cabins whereas the ship was stopped in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Along with the cruise line’s effort, friends may also assist shield themselves from sickness by washing their fingers often or utilizing hand sanitizer, avoiding crowds, and steering away from different passengers who seem sick.
Princess Cruises’ ships all have 24-hour medical companies onboard if you’re feeling sick, and remedy is normally coated below the Princess Trip Safety bundle.
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