Cruise ship outbreaks hit 23 in 2025, norovirus the most common

Key Points:

• In 2025, the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program recorded 23 gastrointestinal (GI) illness outbreaks on cruise ships, defined as affecting 3% or more of passengers or crew during a voyage.
• Three GI outbreaks have occurred so far in 2026, including E. coli on Insignia (April), norovirus on Star Princess (March), and E. coli on Seven Seas Mariner (January); separately, a hantavirus outbreak on the British MV Hondius resulted in three passenger deaths.
• Norovirus is the most common viral outbreak on cruise ships, reported 214 times from 2006 to 2026, typically affecting about 7% of passengers and spreading via contaminated food, water, or surfaces.
• A CDC study from 2006-2019 found that larger ships and longer voyages (over seven days for passengers, five days for crew) are associated with higher rates of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks.
• While cruising is generally safe, the close quarters and semi-enclosed environments on ships facilitate the spread of contagious viruses among passengers and crew.