Guests sailing aboard Norwegian Epic have received an unexpected and worrying health alert: they may have been exposed to Legionnaires’ disease.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) issued the warning on Tuesday to passengers currently sailing on the 12-night Mediterranean voyage from Rome to Lisbon, as well as to those who recently disembarked the same ship.
The cruise line confirmed that two former guests who had travelled on Norwegian Epic were later diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease – a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.
At this stage, it is unclear whether the infections originated onboard or elsewhere, but the cruise line is cooperating with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has opened an investigation.
Health Warning Issued Mid-Voyage
The alert, sent to roughly 4,100 passengers mid-cruise, advised guests to monitor for symptoms such as fever, cough, muscle aches, headache and shortness of breath – typical indicators of Legionnaires’ disease.
“On the rare occasion that any past guests receive such a diagnosis, we work with the CDC to support their investigation efforts as part of their standard operating procedures,” NCL said in its letter to guests.
Travellers were urged to contact the ship’s medical team immediately if they developed any symptoms while onboard.
Those who had already disembarked were advised to seek medical attention if symptoms appear within 14 days of their cruise, and to show the alert letter to their doctor to ensure testing for Legionnaires’ disease and prompt antibiotic treatment if needed.
What Is Legionnaires’ Disease?
The illness, first identified in 1976 following an outbreak at an American Legion convention in Pennsylvania, spreads through inhalation of contaminated water droplets – often from hot tubs, showers, air-conditioning systems, or decorative fountains.
According to the CDC, symptoms generally appear two to 14 days after exposure. While most people recover with antibiotics, the disease can be life-threatening for those with weakened immune systems, smokers or the elderly.
Past Cruise Incidents and Industry Response
This is not the first time Norwegian Cruise Line has faced such a situation. In February 2023, the company sent a similar notice to Norwegian Prima passengers after two guests who sailed in late 2022 were diagnosed post-cruise. No source of exposure was ever confirmed.
Other cruise operators have also experienced comparable cases. Earlier this year, Royal Caribbean International warned Symphony of the Seas guests after one former passenger contracted Legionnaires’ disease. The investigation, likewise, did not establish a definitive link to the ship’s water systems.
Cruise lines are required to maintain rigorous sanitation and water-quality protocols, including regular testing and treatment of spas, pools and potable water systems to mitigate such risks.
Norwegian Epic Continues Its Voyage
Despite the warning, Norwegian Epic continues its itinerary through the Mediterranean, with enhanced monitoring and sanitation measures reportedly in place.
The 155,873-gross-ton ship, which accommodates more than 4,000 guests, entered service in 2010 and is one of the largest vessels in NCL’s fleet.
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