A norovirus outbreak aboard the Holland America Line’s MS Eurodam has affected at least 79 individuals during a 10-day voyage from Florida to the Western Caribbean. So what happened?
The cruise ship left Florida on February 19th and is scheduled to return today, March 1st. This incident marks the third such outbreak on Holland America vessels this year and the eighth gastrointestinal illness outbreak on cruise ships in the first two months of 2025.
Details of the Outbreak
According to a Centers For Disease Control (CDC) report issued on February 28th,, The MS Eurodam departed from Port Everglades, Florida, on a 10-day Western Caribbean cruise. Of the 2,057 passengers on board, 79 reported illness, along with 9 of the 834 crew members. The predominant symptoms reported were diarrhea and vomiting. In response, the ship’s crew implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures to contain the spread of the virus.
This outbreak follows recent norovirus incidents on Holland America’s MS Rotterdam and MS Volendam ships, affecting over 270 individuals in total. The Eurodam is scheduled to return to Florida after making stops in various Caribbean locations.
According to the National Institute of Health, Norovirus typically starts on a cruise ship when a passenger with the illness boards, and then spreads rapidly through close contact with other passengers. The virus can also spread through contaminated surfaces like handrails or dining areas, or potentially through contaminated food or water. Norovirus is highly contagious and can survive on surfaces for days or weeks.
This wasn’t the first outbreak on a cruise ship this year. In fact, the CDC reports seven previous outbreaks across six cruise lines so far in 2025:
What Is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines, leading to acute gastroenteritis. It is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, responsible for approximately 21 million cases annually.
Transmission and Symptoms
Norovirus spreads primarily through:
- Direct contact: Having direct contact with someone infected with norovirus, such as caring for them or sharing food or eating utensils with them.
- Contaminated food or water: Consuming food or water that has been contaminated with the virus.
- Contaminated surfaces: Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus particles and then touching one’s mouth.
Symptoms typically develop 12 to 48 hours after exposure and can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramping
- Low-grade fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
The good news is that these symptoms usually last one to three days, and most people recover without requiring medical treatment.
One of the most common outbreaks aboard cruise ships, Norovirus poses a significant challenges across the cruise industry, given the ships’ close living quarters and shared dining facilities. Passengers planning cruises should stay informed about health advisories and practice diligent hygiene measures to protect themselves and others from potential infections.
