At a Glance
- 81 passengers and 8 crew on Holland America Line’s Rotterdam reported norovirus symptoms during the Dec. 28-Jan. 9 voyage
- The ship visited Curaçao, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Jamaica before returning to Fort Lauderdale
- Comprehensive sanitization was completed in Fort Lauderdale after docking
- Why it matters: The outbreak highlights how quickly the highly contagious virus can spread in the close quarters of a cruise ship
A norovirus outbreak aboard Holland America Line’s Rotterdam has left 89 people ill, according to federal health data released after the ship returned to Fort Lauderdale.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report shows 81 of 2,593 passengers and eight of 1,005 crew members experienced vomiting and diarrhea during the 12-night sailing that began Dec. 28 and ended Jan. 9.
Voyage Details and Itinerary
The Rotterdam departed Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 28 and called at:
- Willemstad, Curaçao
- Cartagena, Colombia
- Panama Canal partial transit
- Puerto Limón, Costa Rica
- Falmouth, Jamaica
CruiseMapper tracking data confirms the vessel returned to its home port as scheduled on Jan. 9.
CDC Response and Monitoring
The outbreak was reported to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program on Jan. 8, one day before the voyage concluded. Agency staff are remotely monitoring the situation and reviewing the ship’s outbreak response and sanitation procedures.
According to the CDC report, crew members took several immediate actions:
- Isolated ill passengers and crew
- Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures
- Collected stool specimens from gastrointestinal illness cases for testing
- Consulted with the VSP on reporting and sanitation protocols
Cruise Line Statement
A Holland America Line spokesperson told News Of Losangeles in a statement:
“During its previous voyage, a number of guests onboard Rotterdam reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness. The cases were mostly mild and quickly resolved.”
The line added that the health of guests and crew is a “top priority” and that, consistent with CDC protocols, “we conducted a comprehensive sanitization of the ship when the cruise ended Friday in Fort Lauderdale.”
Norovirus Characteristics
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that spreads rapidly in closed environments. Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, previously told Today:
“It’s a devilish virus because it can spread in so many ways, and it is so highly contagious.”
Key facts about the virus:
- Causes sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea
- Can be transmitted through contaminated food, surfaces, or person-to-person contact
- Hand sanitizer alone is not sufficient to kill the virus
- Thorough hand-washing with soap and water is the recommended preventive measure
Recent Cruise Industry Outbreaks
The News Of Losangeles article noted that in December there was a surge in norovirus cases across the U.S. ahead of the holiday season. Cruise ships, along with dormitories and other communal living settings, are common sites for outbreaks because of close quarters and shared facilities.
Another recent incident involved an AIDA Cruises vessel on a 133-day world voyage. That ship, with stops in the U.S., England, Mexico, Japan and South Africa, reported more than 100 passengers and crew members sickened by norovirus.
Sanitation Protocols
When Rotterdam arrived in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 9, the cruise line implemented what it described as a “comprehensive sanitization” of the entire vessel. Industry-standard measures typically include:
- Deep cleaning of all public areas and high-touch surfaces
- Laundering of linens at high temperatures
- Disinfection of cabins, dining rooms and recreational facilities
- Replacement of consumables such as condiments and buffet service utensils
The VSP will continue remote oversight to ensure compliance with sanitation guidelines before the ship embarks on its next scheduled voyage.
Key Takeaways
- 89 people were affected by the norovirus outbreak on Rotterdam‘s Dec. 28-Jan. 9 cruise
- The CDC confirmed norovirus as the causative agent and is monitoring the response
- Holland America Line completed full sanitization in Fort Lauderdale
- Passengers planning future cruises should practice rigorous hand hygiene, as hand sanitizer alone does not eliminate the virus
