Image by neufal54 from Pixabay
There has been another norovirus outbreak on Holland America Line. This one comes just shortly after another cruise ship norovirus outbreak from the same line. But the Holland America Line is not the only cruise line in the news. In fact, there have been several other cruises lines with norovirus outbreaks leaving Florida just this year.
Here’s what we know about the recent norovirus outbreak on Holland America Line’s Eurodam ship and other recent outbreaks.
Cruise passengers aboard the Holland American Line Eurodam may have gotten more than the usual souvenirs on their most recent trip.
The voyage, departing on February 19, 2025, was smooth sailing. That is, until reports of a norovirus outbreak on February 23rd moved through the ship.
In all, 162 of the 2,057 passengers reported being sick during the voyage. Though illness was not limited to cruise-goers.
Members of the crew also reported symptoms consistent with norovirus. In fact, 17 reported being sick during the voyage.
Passengers reported symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. The cause of the illness was determined to be norovirus.
When the ship docked at Willemstad, Curacao, the Curacao’s Ministry of Health, Environment & Nature stepped in and did not allow those on the ship to enter the country. According to the notice, translated as “no passengers or crew of the cruise ship MS Eurodam will be allowed to disembark in Curacao,” due to a significant increase in gastrointestinal cases on board. A statement that was later redeacted, saying that the situation no longer represented an imminent danger to Curacao.
Some aboard the ship said they were not aware of this international announcement.
This Eurodam outbreak comes shortly after a norovirus outbreak on Holland America Line’s Rotterdam ship.
This voyage departed earlier in February on February 2, 2025. Reports of illness made it to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vessel Sanitation Program on February 7, 2025.
A similar ratio of illnesses were reported aboard this ship. The report indicates that 166 of the 2,614 passengers and 19 of the 969 crew became sick.
Common symptoms also included diarrhea and vomiting, and norovirus was determined to be the cause of these illnesses on this ship as well.
The norovirus outbreak on Holland America Line’s ships were not the only cruise ships hit with outbreaks this year.
This year?
It is only March!
Six other cruise ship outbreaks were reported this year. Not counting the two voyages that overlapped 2024 and 2025, this makes eight cruise ship outbreaks in 2025. Most with norovirus as the cause of the outbreak.
The Royal Caribbean International Radiance of the Seas cruise ship reported an outbreak of illnesses involving diarrhea and vomiting symptoms just days into their voyage. The ship departed on February 1, 2025 and returned on February 8, 2025.
Of the 2,164 passengers on board, 160 reported being sick during the voyage. There were also eight members of the crew reporting illness.
The cause of the outbreak was not confirmed and still listed as “unknown.” This likely means that samples obtained by sick passengers did not reveal the presence of norovirus – a common illness on cruise ships.
Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess departed on January 20, 2025. The CDC received reports of illnesses on January 27, 2025.
Most sick people reported vomiting and diarrheal symptoms. There were 128 of the 1,894 passengers and 20 of the 885 crew members that reported symptoms consistent with norovirus on this voyage that returned on February 5, 2025.
Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Mars departed January 10, 2025 and was scheduled to return on January 24, 2025. Reports of illnesses were sent to the CDC as early as January 19, 2025.
While this smaller cruise only had 887 passengers aboard, 62 of them reported illness. Nine of the 465 crew members also reported illness.
The most common symptoms among those aboard ship were diarrhea and vomiting. Another norovirus outbreak.
A previous norovirus outbreak on Holland America Line’s other ship, Volendam, was one of three other separate cruises leaving port on January 4, 2025 that experienced an outbreak on board.
These illnesses, mostly involving diarrhea and vomiting, were reported to the CDC on January 15, 2025. Reports indicated that 93 of the 1,369 passengers and 11 of the 596 crew members were sick on the voyage.
An E. coli outbreak on Silversea Cruises’ Silver Ray ship was reported on January 10, 2025. The voyage took place between January 4, 2025 and returned on January 20, 2025.
Of the 681 passengers, 51 became sick with symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Five of the 532 crew members also reported similar illnesses.
The Sea Cloud Spirit left port on January 4, 2025. Just one day before it was scheduled to return, reports of diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and muscle aches were reported from crew members.
No passengers were reported ill on this voyage that returned on January 10, 2025. However, 28 of the 93 crew members reported illness.
While the cause of these illnesses were not confirmed, reports indicate that ciguatera was the presumed source of symptoms. This is a type of illness caused by toxins in contaminated fish.
Historically, norovirus is the most common outbreak on cruise ships. This is because it is easily spread in confined areas with a lot of people.
Like many outbreaks, it is transmitted through “fecal-oral” route.
A problem that escalates in buffet-style settings, like those renowned on cruise ships.
When an infected person does not properly wash their hands after bathroom activities, they can spread the illness to others, simply by touching things in their environment. When someone touches a contaminated object and eats without washing their hands, the illness spreads.
Norovirus is often called “the stomach bug” or “stomach flu” despite being an entirely different virus from the influenza virus. This is likely because it shares quite a few symptoms with the flu virus and many times a source cannot be identified.
Common symptoms of norovirus infection include:
There is no medical treatment protocol for norovirus. Antibiotics are not effective against this type of infection, so your best course of action is to hydrate and rest until symptoms subside. Seek medical attention if symptoms become severe or you become dehydrated.
You are most contagious and likely to transmit your illness to others while you are feeling sick through the first few days of feeling better.
If you have been impacted by this norovirus outbreak on Holland America Line or another cruise ship outbreak and want to file a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a norovirus 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 consumers 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)
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