Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Norovirus,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on June 3, 2026
Guests and crew aboard the Lindblad Expedition’s National Geographic Sea Bird began experiencing gastrointestinal illness about halfway through their trip. Prompting a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Voyage Sanitation Program (VSP) notification.
What caused these illnesses? Why are incidents like these common on cruise ships? What should you do if you get sick on a cruise?
Here’s what we know so far about the National Geographic Sea Bird gastrointestinal illness outbreak!
The Lindblad Expedition’s National Geographic Sea Bird is a Five Night Alaska Escape cruise. This ship departed as planned on May 26, 2026 with an itinerary that included Haines, the Inian Islands, and Endicott Arm Fjord. The cruise ended by docking in Juneau, Alaska on May 31, 2026.
Before the trip was over, however, several crew and passengers reported gastrointestinal illness.
On May 28, 2026, CDC’s VSP received reports of vomiting and diarrhea.
By the end of the voyage nearly 14% of the 66 passengers and 13% of the 24 crew experienced symptoms. With such a small ship, illness can rapidly spread.
The source of the illness and germ responsible was not disclosed. It is not clear if the National Geographic Sea Bird had testing capabilities in the medical department aboard their vessel. If not, that could explain why no “causative agent” was declared.
So, what type of illness could these passengers have?
There are a few.
Norovirus is fairly common on cruise ships. However, vomiting and diarrhea sounds suspiciously like Bacillus cereus infection. Which is often associated with starchy foods like rice, potatoes, and pasta. You cannot rule out Salmonella or other foodborne germs either.
People may have become sick from eating something served on the ship or picked up on an expedition and brought aboard. Where it may or may not have been spread to other passengers.
So far, the CDC has tracked five outbreaks on United States docking cruises this year. By the end of 2025, there were 23 outbreaks associated with cruise ships. Accounting for 2163 passenger illnesses and 269 crew illnesses.
The majority of the outbreaks have norovirus listed as their “causative agent” with vomiting and diarrhea as the predominant symptoms. One outbreak was listed as E. coli. Another suspected ciguatera. Three were listed as “unknown,” like this one.
In fact, another Lindblad Expedition vessel, the National Geographic Sea Lion, had a similar situation. An “unknown” gastrointestinal illness with fever, vomiting and diarrhea was reported last spring.
Outbreaks on cruise vessels are common for many reasons. However, the reason can be summed up with two simple words. Proximity and opportunity.
Cruise ships are essentially a closed system. You have a large group of people confined to a common area. The same number of people join you for a certain number of days.
You are traveling with them from anywhere between a few days to even months.
In this case, five days.
That explains proximity. When people are close, their germs can spread. You are counting on the hygiene habits of strangers to keep you sick.
Now for opportunity.
There are so many opportunities to pick up germs on a cruise ship. One of the more common involves buffets.
Buffets are some of the main attractions for some cruisers. Most are included in your fare, and people take advantage of them.
Why not get your money’s worth?
But with all those hands, at least a few may be unwashed or improperly washed.
That is how it spreads!
Once the gastrointestinal illness outbreak was discovered, National Geographic Sea Bird crew initiated mitigation protocols.
According to VSP, crew “increased cleaning and disinfection procedures according to their outbreak prevention and response plan.” Sick passengers and crew were isolated and VSP was consulted about their procedures while VSP remotely monitored the situation and reviewed their response.
Nobody wants to think about it. When you are on vacation, you want to enjoy your time away. Experience all the experiences. See all the sights.
But what should you do if you get sick on a cruise?
There are a few things you should do to help yourself (and your fellow passengers) if you get sick.
If you are sick, it is possible that others are too. Reporting your illness can get you medical help if needed, diagnose your illness, and prepare the medical team in the event more people become sick.
If you see someone getting sick, leave the area immediately and report it. Vomit and messes in a community restroom can spread illness. The sick person may need help and could be unable to get help themselves.
The best way to protect others around you from your gastrointestinal illness is to thoroughly wash your hands.
If you have read anything I have written for the Make Food Safe Blog, you know that is my number one rule. And it can save your life! Wash your hands before you eat or prepare food. Wash your hands after you use the restroom, help someone in the restroom, or change a diaper. Always wash your hands any time you think they may be dirty.
But in this case, washing your hands after you use the restroom can help prevent spreading your illness to others, who may not necessarily be so good at washing their hands.
If you were significantly impacted by your gastrointestinal illness, it is a good idea to get advice from a foodborne illness lawyer. An experienced foodborne illness lawyer can answer your questions. Direct you to helpful resources. Represent you as needed. Most importantly, recover from the financial burden foodborne illness causes.
If you have been impacted by this gastrointestinal outbreak on the National Geographic Sea Bird, or another cruise ship outbreak and want to file a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a foodborne illness lawyer that can help!
Foodborne illness is inconvenient, disruptive to your personal and professional life, and in some cases serious or life-threatening. Most of the time foodborne illness is completely preventable. Lapses in food safety or sanitation protocols result in passengers becoming sick.
Call (833) 330-3663 or send an email for a free, no obligation consultation to go over the details of your situation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)