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Nearly 120 people aboard a cruise ship that departed from Florida this month have fallen ill with norovirus, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The latest outbreak occurred on Holland America’s ms Rotterdam during a 12-night Panama Canal voyage that set sail from Port Everglades on February 2.
According to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program, 107 out of 2,614 passengers (4.1%) and 12 out of 969 crew members (1.2%) have reported symptoms, including diarrhea and vomiting. The first case was recorded on February 7. These figures represent cumulative totals and do not indicate that all affected individuals were sick at the same time.
In response to the outbreak, the ship’s crew has ramped up cleaning and disinfection procedures as part of Holland America’s standard outbreak response plan. Samples have been collected from ill passengers and crew for laboratory testing, while the CDC continues to monitor the situation remotely. The ship is scheduled to return to Port Everglades on February 14 before embarking on a nine-night southern Caribbean voyage the same day.
This marks the seventh outbreak tracked by the CDC in 2025, with four confirmed as norovirus-related. Earlier this year, the Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas also experienced an outbreak of unknown origin, which sickened 160 passengers (7.4%) and eight crew members (0.9%). Other norovirus outbreaks in 2025 have affected Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess, Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Mars, and Holland America’s ms Volendam.
In 2024, the CDC tracked 18 outbreaks on U.S.-based cruise ships, with norovirus responsible for 15 of them. While cruise lines are required to report outbreaks, norovirus is not exclusive to ships and can spread in other environments, including hotels, where reporting is not mandatory.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information provided by the CDC and cruise line reports as of February 2025. Health updates and outbreak statistics are subject to change as further investigations continue. Travelers are advised to stay informed through official health sources before embarking on a cruise or other group travel experiences.
