At a Glance
- A Voyager cruise ship experienced a stomach flu outbreak during a 14-day African sailing.
- The ship returned to Cape Town on January 26, 2026 after a Code Red was downgraded to Code Yellow.
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises confirmed that a small percentage of guests reported symptoms and that enhanced cleaning will precede the next voyage.
**Why it matters: The incident highlights the importance of rapid outbreak response and strict sanitation protocols on cruise vessels.
The Voyager cruise ship, part of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, reported a stomach flu outbreak that affected a small percentage of its passengers during a recent 14-day African sailing. The ship departed Cape Town on January 13, 2026 and returned on January 26, 2026 after a Code Red emergency was downgraded to Code Yellow.
Outbreak Details
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) was alerted by local media after passengers on the Voyager began showing symptoms of gastroenteritis. The NICD told Cape Argus that it was aware of the situation and awaited further details from the Western Cape Department of Health. The NICD’s statement read: “We are aware of the matter and await further details from the Western Cape Department of Health.”
Passengers were seen disembarking on January 26, 2026, while crew members appeared to continue their duties. Many customers reported that they were largely kept in the dark about the illness. The situation was initially classified as a Code Red, a status that typically signals a significant outbreak such as norovirus or other illnesses. It was later downgraded to Code Yellow, indicating a less severe emergency or sanitation issue.
A cruise terminal worker, who was not identified, told Cape Argus that the terminal was thoroughly sanitized and that staff wore masks and gloves. The worker added: “We were told it is Code Red; people are sick aboard the ship.”
Health Response
Regent Seven Seas Cruises confirmed that mandatory health protocols were followed once the outbreak was identified. James Arnold, spokesperson for the company, stated:
> “A small percentage of guests on a Seven Seas Voyager sailing which ended in Cape Town, South Africa, have reported symptoms of stomach flu (gastroenteritis),” said James Arnold.
He continued: “The ship’s Sanitation Officer has activated the CDC-approved protocol, and all guests experiencing symptoms are being treated. In an abundance of caution, additional cleaning operations-developed in accordance with CDC guidelines, on top of our standard rigorous protocols-will take place prior to the commencement of the ship’s next voyage.”
The CDC and Regent Seven Seas Cruises did not immediately respond to requests for comment from News Of Los Angeles.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 13, 2026 | Voyager departs Cape Town for a 14-day round-trip African sailing |
| During the voyage | Passengers begin showing symptoms of gastroenteritis; NICD alerted |
| January 26, 2026 | Ship returns to Cape Town; Code Red downgraded to Code Yellow |
| January 27, 2026 | Regent Seven Seas Cruises announces outbreak and cleaning protocol |
| January 27, 2026 | Next Voyager sailing scheduled to depart Cape Town |
Next Sailing
According to the cruise line’s website, the next sailing for the Voyager departs Cape Town on January 27, 2026. The ship’s sanitation officer will oversee additional cleaning in line with CDC guidelines before the vessel sets sail again.
Key Takeaways
- The Voyager experienced a stomach flu outbreak that affected a small percentage of guests.
- Health authorities were notified, and the ship was placed under a Code Red that was later downgraded to Code Yellow.
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises activated CDC-approved protocols and will conduct extra cleaning before the next voyage.
- The next sailing is scheduled for January 27, 2026.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ response underscores the importance of rapid outbreak detection, transparent communication with passengers, and adherence to rigorous sanitation standards on cruise ships.
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