A gastrointestinal outbreak on Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas left nearly 100 passengers and crew members sick with vomiting and diarrhea.
The cause remains unknown, but enhanced sanitation measures were implemented. This marks the sixth cruise-related outbreak reported by the CDC in 2025.
A Caribbean cruise turned uneasy for nearly 100 passengers and crew members aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas after a gastrointestinal illness outbreak swept through the ship.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 89 guests and two crew members reported symptoms, including severe vomiting and diarrhea. Health officials are still trying to determine the cause of the outbreak but said they were closely monitoring the situation.
It started immediately with action from Royal Caribbean, as the cruise had just set sail for a weeklong Caribbean trip out of Tampa, Florida. Affected people were isolated, and cleaning and increased sanitation measures were heightened to curtail the spread.
Royal Caribbean assured its guests that enhanced measures had been put in place onboard out of an abundance of caution to protect the health and comfort of all their guests and crew.
This is the sixth gastrointestinal outbreak on a cruise ship to qualify for public notification by the CDC in 2025.
The CDC reported 18 similar outbreaks in 2024, many of which are attributed to norovirus: a highly infectious virus that readily spreads in contained environments like universities, nursing homes, and especially cruise ships.
While outbreaks of cruise-related illnesses often make headlines, they account for only about 1% of all reported cases nationwide. Health experts emphasize that food, shared surfaces, and close contact in communal settings often contribute to the rapid spread of such infections.
Passengers aboard the Radiance of the Seas are receiving medical attention, while health officials work to determine the exact cause of the outbreak.
