What’s sneaky, highly contagious, and can lead to diarrhea and vomiting? If you guessed “norovirus,” you’re right! So, what exactly is it, and why does it frequently get associated with cruise ships?
This winter, norovirus cases are increasing, both on land and at sea. “The total number of outbreaks reported during the 2024–2025 seasonal year exceeds the range seen during the same timeframe from 2012–2020 and 2021-2024,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rising media reports about norovirus might lead you to believe that cruise ships are unclean or that you’re at higher risk of getting sick while cruising. Allow me to clarify.
Let’s explore why norovirus is often labeled a cruise ship illness, what cruise lines are doing to reduce its spread onboard, and whether you should be concerned during your next trip.
What is cruise ship norovirus?
Norovirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis, characterized by severe gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, headaches, muscle aches, and fever — an unfortunate situation, particularly while on vacation.
This virus is incredibly contagious, often spreading through hands contaminated by surfaces or food. It’s sometimes referred to as “food poisoning,” although numerous pathogens can trigger food-borne illnesses. Norovirus may also be mentioned as a stomach bug or stomach flu, despite it being distinct from influenza viruses.
How does norovirus spread on cruise ships?
So, how does norovirus make its way onto cruise ships? The virus thrives in close quarters typical of these vessels. While it can spread through direct person-to-person contact, it primarily occurs when passengers neglect to wash their hands after touching frequently handled surfaces, such as handrails and serving utensils in buffet areas.
Infected individuals who do not maintain proper hand hygiene after sneezing, coughing, or using the restroom contaminate communal surfaces. To protect yourself and others, remember to wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially before meals, ensuring to scrub between fingers and around your nails.
Contaminated food can also contribute to the spread, but this is less common on cruises, where staff adhere strictly to health and safety protocols. The CDC actively enforces these standards.
What measures do cruise ships take to prevent norovirus outbreaks?
Cruise lines employ dedicated teams for the cleaning of public spaces and high-touch surfaces. Food handling and safety are emphasized during training for galley crews and waitstaff.
Additionally, cruise lines screen passengers for symptoms of illness during embarkation. Those who feel unwell are advised to report to the medical center and to isolate themselves in their cabins.
When outbreaks occur, the crew undertakes a rigorous cleaning process after disembarkation before the next voyage. In severe outbreak scenarios, subsequent sailings may be canceled to ensure complete sanitization.
The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program, in operation since the 1970s, mandates that all passenger ships carrying 13 or more individuals undergo random, unannounced inspections to operate in U.S. ports.
Under this program, ships must comply with strict health and safety regulations covering everything from the sanitation of high-touch areas to food storage protocols. VSP inspectors assess ships for compliance, and the standards are stringent; scores below 86 out of 100 are deemed failing. Recent inspection results and violations for each ship can be found on the VSP website.
Should you be concerned about norovirus on a cruise?
In short, no, you shouldn’t be overly concerned. Cruise ships account for some of the smallest annual norovirus numbers in the U.S. Most cases arise in settings like restaurants, schools, and nursing homes. If you’re not worried about norovirus on land, there’s no reason to be more anxious at sea.
What you might hear more often are reports from cruise ships because they are obliged to disclose illness cases while other institutions are not.
According to the CDC, “Health officials track illness on cruise ships, which means outbreaks are identified and reported more promptly than on land.” A study examining acute gastroenteritis cases from 2006 to 2019 noted a declining trend in cases on ships over those years, though larger ships and longer voyages tend to see higher case numbers.
From 2006 to 2019, approximately 127 million passengers traveled on 252 cruise ships under the VSP. Of these, 26,450 reported gastrointestinal symptoms. While that may sound significant, it’s only 0.02% of cruisers over those 14 years, with numbers decreasing from 4,507 in 2006 to just 1,201 in 2019.
As of 2025, if there are more reported cases of norovirus on land, cruise ship statistics may reflect this increase. It’s advisable to take standard health precautions while on vacation, just as you would at home.
If you’re interested in outbreak data, you can find detailed information on cruise ships experiencing acute gastroenteritis outbreaks (many linked to norovirus) on the CDC’s outbreak page.
To learn more about staying healthy while cruising, check out Flying Frugal’s article on avoiding illness on board.
Why are norovirus reports so prominent in the news about cruises?
The reason you see many reports about norovirus on cruises is that these ships must report acute gastroenteritis cases to the CDC, whereas other establishments do not have such requirements.
Specifically, cruise ship medical staff must submit reports detailing the number of ill passengers within 24 to 36 hours of docking at a U.S. port after visiting a foreign port, even if there are no illness cases present. They must also report if 2% or more of passengers and crew become sick within 15 days of docking if scheduled to visit a U.S. port. If cases exceed 3%, reporting is mandatory, even if not scheduled to call on a U.S. port soon.
This reporting requirement makes norovirus data from cruise ships more accessible than that from other sectors. While case numbers may sound alarming, context is essential; for instance, 100 cases on a vessel like Oasis of the Seas, which can carry over 5,400 passengers, amounts to just about 2% of those onboard.
Conclusion
Should you worry about potential norovirus infection or other gastrointestinal illnesses while cruising? The CDC states that cruise ships are associated with some of the lowest annual case counts in the U.S.
The likelihood of becoming ill during your cruise is low, especially when taking basic precautions such as frequent handwashing and avoiding the sharing of drinks or utensils that could transmit germs.
Have more questions about cruising? Flying Frugal has the answers:
