Norovirus Outbreak Reported on Coral Princess Cruise Ship
A recent outbreak of norovirus has affected 70 passengers and crew members aboard the Coral Princess cruise ship during its current sailing from Singapore to Los Angeles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that among the vessel’s 1,822 passengers, 55 individuals reported illness symptoms, along with 15 crew members. The primary symptoms documented were vomiting and diarrhea, according to USA Today.
The Coral Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, departed Singapore on October 17 for a month-long voyage to Los Angeles. In response to the outbreak, the cruise line has implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures following their established outbreak prevention and response protocols. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program is conducting remote monitoring of the situation.
According to CDC records, this incident marks one of 11 gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships that met the agency’s threshold for public notification in the current year. Of these documented cases, norovirus was identified as the cause in eight instances.
CDC data indicates that cruise ship outbreaks represent approximately 1% of all reported norovirus cases. Norovirus outbreaks can occur in any setting and community where groups of people gather, with cruise ships representing only a small portion of total cases.
The CDC maintains active monitoring of gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships through its Vessel Sanitation Program, requiring ships to report when illness counts exceed 2% of total passengers and crew. This system helps track and respond to outbreaks while ensuring proper sanitization and prevention measures are implemented aboard vessels.
Princess Cruises has not yet provided additional comment regarding the current outbreak situation aboard the Coral Princess. The ship continues its scheduled journey to Los Angeles while maintaining enhanced health and safety protocols under CDC guidance.
P&O Cruise Ship Faces Legal Action Following Widespread Norovirus Outbreaks
A series of significant norovirus outbreaks aboard P&O cruise ships has resulted in more than 100 passengers filing legal claims for damages. The primary incidents occurred on the Ventura cruise ship during multiple sailings between April and June of this year, affecting hundreds of passengers and leading to widespread disruption of holiday plans, according to the BBC.
During a particularly severe outbreak in May, 519 passengers aboard the Ventura developed norovirus symptoms during a two-week voyage from Southampton, England to Spain’s Canary Islands. This number represented more than 12% of the vessel’s nearly 3,000 passengers, contradicting initial reports from parent company Carnival that suggested less than 1% of passengers had been affected.
The sequence of outbreaks began around April 20, when 92 passengers fell ill during a 10-day cruise touring Spain and Portugal. The timing of these incidents aligned with what the UK Health Security Agency identified as an “unseasonal rise” in norovirus cases throughout the United Kingdom, suggesting a broader public health trend.
Hudgell Solicitors has taken up the case, currently representing 115 affected cruise passengers in their pursuit of compensation. Among these claimants are Howard and Hazel Lunn, a couple from Devon who invested over USD 6,000 in their Canary Islands cruise that departed May 11. The Lunns’ experience exemplifies the impact on passengers, as they were required to isolate in their cabin after developing symptoms shortly into their voyage.
In response to the escalating health situation, P&O implemented a comprehensive set of preventive measures aboard the Ventura. These included:
- Closure of onboard launderettes
- Suspension of self-service buffet operations
- Implementation of extensive deep cleaning protocols
- Mandatory isolation requirements for passengers showing symptoms
The outbreak situation was not limited to the Ventura. P&O’s Aurora cruise ship reported similar health challenges during the same period. During its 19-night Mediterranean cruise departing Southampton on April 26, more than 300 passengers – representing 16% of those aboard – reported illness. The following voyage, a three-night cruise to Belgium beginning May 15, saw nearly 12% of passengers developing norovirus symptoms.
Southampton’s port health authority played a crucial role in verifying the actual extent of the outbreak, particularly during the May Canary Islands cruise. Their data confirmed that the infection rate peaked at more than 12% of passengers, significantly higher than initially reported figures.
Norovirus, commonly known as the stomach bug, poses a significant health risk, particularly to individuals with compromised immune systems. What makes norovirus contamination especially concerning is that infected food often appears, smells, and tastes normal, making it difficult to detect without proper testing.
Symptoms of norovirus infection typically include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. These symptoms can be particularly severe in vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
A notable characteristic of the virus is its resistance to alcohol-based hand sanitizers, making it particularly challenging to control in confined environments like cruise ships.
The legal process now in motion sets specific timelines for response and investigation. Carnival, as P&O’s parent company, must acknowledge the claims within six weeks of their filing. Following this initial response, the company has a six-month window to conduct a thorough investigation and provide a comprehensive response to the claims.
The compensation claims being pursued encompass multiple aspects of passenger impact, including:
- Direct illness effects
- Loss of holiday enjoyment
- Additional expenses incurred
- Time spent in mandatory isolation
- Recovery period affecting remaining holiday time
P&O Cruises has publicly acknowledged the situation and confirmed their intention to respond to the legal claims. A spokesperson for the company expressed regret for the impact on passengers, stating they were “sorry some of our guests may have been affected” and affirming their commitment to addressing the claims through appropriate legal channels.
The outbreak series represents one of the more significant health incidents in recent cruise industry history, particularly notable for its extended duration across multiple sailings and its impact on two separate vessels within the same fleet.
Although limited to a small percentage of total annual outbreaks, norovirus outbreaks aboard cruise ships often receive a larger share of media coverage. This year, Food Poisoning News reported on the Ventura norovirus incident in May along with a report on an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness that affected 167 passengers in September aboard a Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas round-trip cruise from Vancouver, Canada to Alaska.
Commenting on this article, one national norovirus lawyer said, “Cruise operators face ongoing challenges in managing infectious diseases within the confined environment of ocean-going vessels, even with modern prevention protocols in place. However, adherence to established safety protocols is critical in ensuring healthy and happy passengers.”
