MIAMI – More than 110 people became ill during a norovirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship Caribbean Princess, which included Aruba among its scheduled destinations.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 102 passengers and 13 crew members reported symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea during the voyage.
The cruise departed from Fort Lauderdale on April 28 for an almost two-week itinerary with stops in Aruba, Bonaire, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and other destinations.
Princess Cruises confirmed that the number of cases remained limited and stated that most patients experienced only mild symptoms. The company also explained that the ship underwent extensive disinfection procedures and additional sanitation measures during the voyage.
Passengers and crew members who became ill were placed in isolation as part of the containment efforts.
The CDC announced that the vessel will receive a deep cleaning once it arrives at Port Canaveral on May 11 before beginning its next cruise.
Health authorities noted that norovirus outbreaks are common in crowded environments such as cruise ships, nursing homes, and daycare centers, where viruses can spread rapidly among large groups of people.
