More than 100 passengers and crew members have become sick due to a gastrointestinal illness outbreak on a 133-day cruise.
The AIDAdiva vessel, operated by German cruise line AIDA, is currently undertaking a four-month journey that includes stops in various countries such as the US, England, Mexico, Japan, and South Africa. Departing from Hamburg on November 10, the ship encountered a norovirus outbreak as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after visiting Boston, New York, Miami, and Charleston on November 30.
In response to the outbreak, the crew implemented infection control measures which involved intensive cleaning procedures. They isolated affected individuals, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting practices, and gathered stool samples from those with gastrointestinal symptoms for testing.
According to the CDC, 95 out of 2,007 passengers and six out of 640 crew members experienced illness, mainly characterized by diarrhea and vomiting. AIDA Cruises informed Mirror that with the implementation of additional hygiene protocols, the number of cases started to decrease.
The cruise is scheduled to end in March 2026 upon its return to Hamburg, as mentioned on the ship’s website itinerary, as reported by Express. This incident follows closely after an outbreak of norovirus on a Royal Caribbean cruise, affecting more than 90 passengers.
The CDC disclosed that on the Serenade of the Seas ship in September, out of 1,874 passengers and 883 crew members, 94 passengers and four crew members reported being ill during the voyage. The ship’s itinerary included stops in San Diego, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia.
In 2025, the CDC documented 21 confirmed cases of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships, with 16 attributed to norovirus. This virus was responsible for the majority of outbreaks in 2024 and 2023 as well.
The CDC mentioned to USA Today that while recent cruise ship outbreaks have been more frequent than pre-pandemic years, it is unclear if this signifies a new trend. They highlighted a dominant strain associated with norovirus outbreaks on land, with ships typically following this trend.
Also known as the winter vomiting bug, norovirus typically resolves within two days, according to the NHS. In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms, individuals may experience fever, headache, abdominal pain, and body aches.
The NHS recommends rest, hydration, avoidance of spicy or fatty foods, and taking pain relievers like paracetamol for discomfort during recovery. AIDA Cruises stated that seasonal illness peaks between November and April, aligning with patterns on land, and they have introduced additional hygiene measures resulting in a decline in cases.