A gastrointestinal illness has emerged on the Radiance of the Seas cruise ship this week, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak has affected 89 of the 2,164 passengers on board, which is about 4.1% of the total passengers. Only two of the 910 crew members have reported experiencing symptoms. The ship is operated by Royal Caribbean International.
The CDC did not specify the exact type of gastrointestinal illness on the ship, but the main symptoms reported have been diarrhea and vomiting. The current voyage of the Radiance of the Seas, which began on February 1, is set to end on Saturday. The outbreak was reported to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program on Tuesday.
The CDC stated that passengers and crew affected by the illness have been isolated from the rest of the passengers. The ship has also implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures and collected stool samples for testing.
Tracking illnesses
The Vessel Sanitation Program noted in its report that “norovirus is often the cause of gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships, but the specific cause of an outbreak is not always immediately clear when an investigation begins. Identifying the causative agent can take time.”
Norovirus cases began rising at the start of 2025, and 2024 was the worst year in over ten years for stomach illnesses on cruise ships.
To prevent the spread of illness, the CDC recommends frequent handwashing, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest. For more health tips, the CDC advises checking their healthy cruising guidance page.