Norovirus Outbreak on Princess Cruises Ship Sickens More than 80 Passengers

A Princess Cruises ship has been hit hard by a norovirus outbreak.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported the highly infectious form of gastroenteritis is sickening passengers on the Coral Princess voyage on Friday, March 7.

Of the 1,906 passengers on board, 69 were reported ill alongside 13 of the ship's 895 crew members.

According to the CDC, norovirus, also known as the “stomach flu” or the “stomach bug,” is an easily transmitted illness that often leads to vomiting and diarrhea. The virus can be passed through food, water, and surfaces contaminated by infected people, making the close shared quarters of a cruise ships highly susceptible to heightened exposure.

Related: If It Seems Like Everyone Has Norovirus, It's Because They Probably Do — Virus Is Surging, Says CDC

According to Cruisemapper, the 16-day voyage departed Los Angeles on Feb. 21, with planned stops in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Aruba, before arriving in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on March 9.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, Princess Cruises confirmed cases of mild gastrointestinal illness on the voyage. “At the earliest signs of illness, we promptly enacted enhanced sanitization protocols,” read the statement, “including comprehensive disinfection, isolating affected guests, and offering health guidance to everyone on board.” They also isolated any sick passengers.

Related: Chef Sentenced to 3 Months in Jail After Serving Wedding Guests Food Infected with Norovirus

This is the second outbreak of the virus on a Coral Princess voyage so far this year. The first occurred in late January 2025, reported by the CDC. That incident sickened 128 of the 1,894 passengers and 20 of the 885 crew members on board.

Although most cases of the virus are cleared up within one to three days, the health agency notes that it can still be spread for a few days after, therefore proper preventative measures must be taken. These include washing your hands well and often, thoroughly cooking and washing shellfish, fruits, and vegetables, disinfecting contaminated surfaces, and remaining at home for at least two days after the symptoms are gone.

Read the original article on People