ICYMI: Florida Cruise Nightmare—Nearly 100 Sickened by Mystery Illness Mid-Voyage!
A dream cruise spiraled into a health crisis as nearly 100 passengers and crew were struck by a violent gastrointestinal outbreak at sea. 🌐 #News #TampaFL #Florida #Travel
TAMPA, FL – A luxurious Florida cruise through the sparkling waters of the Caribbean turned into a week-long disaster when nearly 100 passengers and crew fell victim to a severe gastrointestinal outbreak aboard Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas. Departing from Tampa, the ship’s voyage quickly became a health crisis as symptoms swept through the decks, leaving many vacationers battling diarrhea and vomiting.
Out of 2,164 passengers on board, 89 were sickened, along with two of the ship’s 901 crew members, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The towering vessel, stretching almost 1,000 feet in length, saw its dream itinerary disrupted as medical teams scrambled to contain the outbreak.
Illness Strikes Without Warning
The ship, loaded with travelers expecting a tropical getaway, instead became a floating quarantine.
Royal Caribbean implemented emergency measures, isolating those who fell ill and ramping up cleaning protocols across the ship.
Crew members disinfected surfaces around the clock, while stool samples were collected from the sick for further investigation, according to the CDC.
Although the cause of the outbreak remains uncertain, health officials suspect norovirus—a common culprit in similar outbreaks—may be responsible.
Containment Efforts at Sea
To limit the spread of the illness, crew members enforced strict isolation for infected passengers and staff, along with enhanced sanitation practices.
Public spaces, dining areas, and cabins were rigorously cleaned as the ship continued its planned journey with stops in Mexico, Honduras, and Belize. Despite the challenges, the cruise returned to Florida on schedule, docking on Saturday.
The outbreak was reported to the CDC on Tuesday as part of its vessel sanitation program, which monitors cruise ships for health-related incidents.
Troubling Pattern for 2025
This marks the sixth gastrointestinal outbreak on a cruise ship this year, according to the CDC’s latest data.
Two of these cases have been linked to norovirus, a highly contagious virus often spread through contaminated food or surfaces.
Last year’s numbers were even more concerning, with 18 outbreaks reported in 2024—most of them traced back to norovirus.
As authorities investigate the exact cause of this latest incident, the cruise industry faces yet another setback, leaving travelers on edge about what could happen on future voyages.
RELATED TOPICS: Cruise Ship Travel | Florida | Travel
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