2025.02.0717:51:00UTC+00Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreak Affects Nearly 100 On Royal Caribbean Cruise

Royal Caribbean's cruise ship, Radiance of the Seas, has experienced an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness, affecting 89 passengers and two members of the crew, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The vessel embarked from Tampa, Florida, on a seven-day journey through the Caribbean, with scheduled stops in Mexico, Honduras, and Belize.

Passengers and crew have exhibited symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea. Although the precise cause has not been identified, the CDC was notified of the outbreak on Tuesday. In response, Royal Caribbean has activated enhanced sanitation measures and isolated affected passengers to manage the situation.

This incident marks the sixth cruise-related gastrointestinal outbreak to reach the CDC's threshold for public notification in 2025. This follows 18 similar occurrences last year, predominantly attributed to norovirus.

Under CDC regulations, cruise ships are obligated to report any cases of gastrointestinal illnesses. The reported figures encompass the total cases for the duration of the voyage, rather than instances occurring concurrently.

Royal Caribbean's parent company has assured that all necessary precautions are being undertaken to ensure the health and safety of both passengers and crew. This outbreak highlights the persistent concerns regarding disease transmission on cruise ships, despite stringent health and safety protocols in place.

Currently, Royal Caribbean's stocks are trading at $267.05, reflecting a decrease of $1.17 or $3.15 on the New York Stock Exchange.