More than 230 individuals aboard Cunard's flagship Queen Mary 2 have fallen ill with norovirus during a recent 29-day cruise from England to the Caribbean, prompting immediate isolation and sanitation measures as the ship returns to port.
Norovirus Outbreak Affects Over 230 on Queen Mary 2 Luxury Cruise
Norovirus Outbreak Affects Over 230 on Queen Mary 2 Luxury Cruise
Luxury cruise passengers and crew face gastrointestinal illness outbreak as Cunard's Queen Mary 2 navigates back to Southampton.
On April 1, 2025, over 230 individuals on the Queen Mary 2 were reported to be infected with norovirus during a cruise departing from Southampton, England, to the Eastern Caribbean. According to the CDC, this outbreak began on March 18, shortly after departing from New York City, with symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting reported among passengers and crew members alike.
Cunard Lines confirmed that a total of 224 passengers, out of 2,538, and 17 crew members have been affected. The crew has initiated isolating the sick individuals and implementing deep-cleaning protocols to curb the spread. As the ship makes its way back to Southampton, expected on April 6, Cunard has reassured travelers of their commitment to monitoring the situation very closely.
In addition to New York, the Queen Mary 2 visited several Caribbean islands, including St. Maarten, St. Lucia, and Barbados. The ongoing outbreak highlights the risks associated with close-quarter travel, as norovirus is known to thrive in such environments. The CDC reports that every year, about 21 million Americans suffer from norovirus, which spreads through contaminated food, water, or surfaces.
In recent times, recent vessels like the Seabourn Encore and a Holland America ship also reported norovirus cases, underscoring the persistent issue aboard cruise liners. With no specific treatment for norovirus, affected individuals typically recover within days, although the outbreak has raised concern among passengers about cruise safety and health protocols.
Cunard Lines confirmed that a total of 224 passengers, out of 2,538, and 17 crew members have been affected. The crew has initiated isolating the sick individuals and implementing deep-cleaning protocols to curb the spread. As the ship makes its way back to Southampton, expected on April 6, Cunard has reassured travelers of their commitment to monitoring the situation very closely.
In addition to New York, the Queen Mary 2 visited several Caribbean islands, including St. Maarten, St. Lucia, and Barbados. The ongoing outbreak highlights the risks associated with close-quarter travel, as norovirus is known to thrive in such environments. The CDC reports that every year, about 21 million Americans suffer from norovirus, which spreads through contaminated food, water, or surfaces.
In recent times, recent vessels like the Seabourn Encore and a Holland America ship also reported norovirus cases, underscoring the persistent issue aboard cruise liners. With no specific treatment for norovirus, affected individuals typically recover within days, although the outbreak has raised concern among passengers about cruise safety and health protocols.
