For the second time in February – and third time in 2025 – Holland American Line studies an outbreak to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
Required by regulation when 2 p.c or extra of a vessel’s passengers or crew exhibit signs of gastrointestinal sickness, the cruise line’s 86,273-gross-ton Eurodam reported a norovirus outbreak on February 23, 2025.
Of Eurodam’s 2,057 passengers – a virtually sold-out journey – 79 visitors, together with 9 of its 834 crew members, started experiencing signs of diarrhea and vomiting simply days right into a 10-night roundtrip Southern Caribbean voyage.
Having departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida’s Port Everglades on February 19, and visiting the personal island Half Moon Cay within the Bahamas, Grand Turk within the Turks and Caicos, and Amber Cove within the Dominican Republic, passengers having fun with a sea day acquired greater than they bargained for when the announcement of an outbreak was made.
Along with diarrhea and vomiting, the CDC says signs of gastrointestinal sicknesses like norovirus may also embrace muscle ache, headache, belly cramp, or fever.
Whereas the cruise line advised media the circumstances are “principally delicate and rapidly resolved,” Eurodam has initiated the CDC’s sanitation protocols and are isolating sick passengers and crew and have elevated cleansing and disinfection procedures.
Whereas restoration, based on the CDC, can happen between one and three days, the virus can nonetheless be unfold to others as much as two weeks after feeling higher, which means these wholesome are nonetheless in danger because the ship sails to calls within the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.
To remain protected, visitors are inspired to clean their arms typically with cleaning soap and water for at the least 20 seconds, notably earlier than consuming and after touching steadily used surfaces resembling handrails and elevator buttons.
Whereas cruise ships supply hand sanitizer close to excessive site visitors areas and its eating venues, the CDC says it doesn’t work effectively towards norovirus and ought to be an alternative to handwashing, “which is greatest.”
Says a former passenger on social media, “We had been on Eurodam in December when there have been circumstances. “We washed our arms typically – particularly earlier than consuming or after touching bannisters or elevator buttons. We are inclined to keep away from buffets anyway however made positive to solely get served meals within the Lido.
“And our document remained intact: No gastro on 49 cruises.”
Repeat Offender
Eurodam is now the eighth cruise ship to have an outbreak after crusing in 2025, and was one in every of three vessels that welcomed within the New Yr with norovirus onboard a late December 2024 voyage.
Throughout that 9-night Caribbean journey, 109 of two,139 passengers and 13 of 832 crew members fell sick to norovirus within the final of 18 outbreaks reported to the CDC in 2024.
The ship’s sister ship, the 99,935-gross-ton Rotterdam, reported its personal ill-fated voyage earlier in February when 166 of two,614 passengers and 19 of 969 crew members skilled related norovirus signs.
The February 7, 2025, outbreak came about on a 13-night crusing within the Caribbean, which additionally included a name in Half Moon Cay, which is owned by Holland America Line’s mum or dad firm, Carnival Company.
Royal Caribbean’s 90,090-gross-ton Radiance of the Seas additionally skilled an unidentified reason behind gastrointestinal sickness this month. Throughout its February 1 by 8, 2025, journey to the Caribbean, 160 passengers and eight crew members reported sick.
Like a typical chilly or the flu, norovirus is extra widespread in winter months.
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