More than 100 passengers and crew members became ill during a norovirus outbreak aboard the Caribbean Princess, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ship departed from Fort Lauderdale and was scheduled to return to Port Canaveral on Monday, May 11.
The CDC reported that 102 passengers and 13 crew members experienced symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea during the 14-day voyage. The outbreak was officially reported to the agency’s Vessel Sanitation Program on Thursday, May 7.
In response, the cruise line implemented enhanced sanitation and disinfection procedures throughout the vessel. According to the CDC, infected passengers and crew were isolated, while stool samples were collected for laboratory testing. The ship was also set to undergo an extensive deep cleaning once it returned to Florida.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that commonly causes gastrointestinal illness. Symptoms often include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea, and the virus spreads quickly in close quarters through contaminated surfaces, food, or person-to-person contact. Cruise ships are particularly vulnerable because of shared dining areas, common spaces, and large numbers of passengers in confined environments.
The Caribbean Princess was carrying more than 3,100 passengers during the voyage, according to reports. Health officials continue investigating the source of the outbreak.
The incident marks another high-profile cruise ship illness outbreak in 2026. Earlier this year, another Princess Cruises ship reportedly experienced a separate norovirus outbreak affecting passengers and crew members.
