Imagine a cruise and you likely think of the sun, pool, and maybe a nice tropical cocktail in your hand. But what about norovirus, outbreaks, diarrhea and vomiting? For nearly two dozen cruises, that’s what happened to a number of their passengers.
The good news is that given the millions and millions that sail on cruises each year, the overall number of outbreaks is very low. Cruise lines are serious about keeping clean ships. Not only do sick passengers not have a fun vacation, but any sort of illness on the ship is bad for business.
But because cruise ships have so many people in close proximity, it is susceptible to viruses spreading. And arguably one of the most contagious are stomach bugs like norovirus.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) actually tracks outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness like norovirus on cruise ships sailing from the United States. Cruise ships are required to report GI cases onboard and when an outbreak reaches the threshold of 3% or more of passengers or crew reporting illness, then the outbreak is posted to the CDC website.
Overall the number of cruises impacted are relatively small given the number of ships and trips they take each year. For instance, 2023 saw 14 outbreaks reported. Last year saw 18 outbreaks. Typically the winter and spring are busy times for cases, with fewer in the summer and fall.
This year has been busier. In 2025 there have been 21 reported outbreaks across multiple different cruise lines. Remember, however, that each outbreak represents at least 3% of the passengers and crew. So a single outbreak can be hundreds of ill people on the ship and across all the lines it can add up into the thousands:
Across the ships reporting outbreaks, the total number of passengers and crew reported as ill reached more than 2,200 people. Keep in mind that figure doesn’t account for anyone that might have gotten sick after the cruise. It also doesn’t figure anyone on ships that might have fallen ill but the ship didn’t reach the 3% threshold. So it’s likely the cases are actually higher.
Of those 21 gastro outbreaks reported, norovirus was the most common cause with 16 outbreaks listing it as the cause. The other two were e. Coli and ciguatera and then several unknowns.
According to the CDC, diarrhea and vomiting were predominant symptoms in nearly every outbreak.
The Things You Need to Know About Gastro Illness and Cruises
So given these statistics, what else should you know about illness on the ship?
Getting Sick Does Happen, But It’s Relatively Rare
Make no doubt about it: With so many people in close proximity, illness can spread on a ship. But with the number of outbreaks, it may seem like everyone is getting sick. That’s not the case in the slightest.
The statistics show that roughly 2,200 passengers and crew were reported sick during 2025. In comparison, there were about 20.5 million passengers sailing from North America in 2024. That comes out to about one person reported sick per 9,300 passengers.
Longer Cruises Tend to Have More Official Outbreaks
If you notice, most of the cruises listed in the outbreaks are extended trips. Very few are trips of one week or less despite these cruises being much more common than longer trips. This is likely for a couple of reasons.
For one, longer on the ship means longer in close quarters with other people. If there is a virus circulating around it will have a longer time to spread and reach more people.
But also, outbreaks are reported by the CDC only when reaching the 3% threshold on the ship. If a virus were to start spreading at the beginning of the cruise, it may take several days before it begins to ramp up to where greater numbers fall ill. By that time, the ship will be more likely to have finished one cruise and taken on all new passengers.
These Figures Are Likely Underreported
While the overall rate of gastro illness is low, it’s also safe to assume that the actual figures are going to be higher.
As mentioned, the cases are only reported when occurring on the ship. Once someone is off the ship, it doesn’t count in the statistics. It’s highly likely that at least some people fall ill in the days after the cruise that don’t make it into the statistics.
As well, remember that outbreaks must reach the 3% threshold to be reported by the CDC. No doubt there are smaller clusters of illness that happen that simply aren’t announced.
Your Best Moves for Avoiding Getting Sick
Obviously no one wants to get sick, much less on their vacation. If you’re worried about these outbreaks and have a cruise upcoming, what can you do?
There’s some common sense moves you can make, of which the most recommended is to simply wash your hands often.
We also suggest limiting contact with shared surfaces like handrails, serving utensils, and elevator buttons. And when you do come in contact with these, washing hands or using hand sanitizer afterward should help.
