More than 70 passengers have fallen ill during a Royal Caribbean cruise after a gastrointestinal outbreak was confirmed onboard Serenade of the Seas.
The cruise set sail from San Diego on September 19, 2025, for a 13-night trip through the Panama Canal, scheduled to finish in Miami on October 2.
So far, 71 passengers and one crew member have experienced symptoms linked to norovirus. With 1,874 travellers on board this sailing, that represents 3.79% of the guest count. Under U.S. rules, any outbreak affecting 3% or more of those on a ship must be reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This marks the first norovirus incident reported on Serenade of the Seas since 2006.
Preventative Measures Onboard
Royal Caribbean has isolated sick passengers and the affected crew member. Cleaning protocols have been intensified, and stool samples collected to confirm the cause of illness.
Guests are also being encouraged to practice regular handwashing and get adequate rest to protect themselves from catching the virus.
Despite the situation, the ship has remained on schedule. Its last stop was Cartagena, Colombia, on September 29, before heading for Miami.
How Often Do These Outbreaks Occur?
While gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships attracts attention, outbreaks remain relatively rare. Cruise lines must report cases whenever 3% or more of the ship’s population is affected.
According to the CDC, there were just 14 reported outbreaks in 2023 and 18 in 2024. With the Serenade of the Seas outbreak, the total for 2025 now stands at 19.
Royal Caribbean has already had two other ships experience outbreaks this year, Radiance of the Seas in February and Navigator of the Seas in July. Its Silversea brand has also seen isolated cases, including an E.coli incident on Silver Ray in January, but not all of those required official reporting.
What This Means for Cruisers
Norovirus spreads quickly but is generally short-lived, and most people recover without complications. Cruise lines are experienced in managing outbreaks through cleaning, isolation, and health protocols.
Considering that tens of millions of passengers cruise each year, the chances of encountering an outbreak remain low.
Serenade of the Seas continues its voyage, with most guests unaffected and enjoying the journey through the Panama Canal.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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