Nearly 100 Passengers Fall Ill on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

TAMPA, Fla. – Nearly 100 passengers and crew members aboard the Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas have fallen ill with a gastrointestinal illness since the ship departed from Tampa on February 1st. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 89 passengers and two crew members have reported symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea.

The ship, which is on a week-long Caribbean cruise, is expected to return to Tampa on February 8th. The CDC has been notified and is monitoring the situation closely. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures have been implemented on board to prevent the spread of the illness. Crew members are also collecting stool specimens from affected individuals for testing.

While the exact cause of the outbreak is still unknown, norovirus is suspected to be the culprit, as it is a common cause of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships. The CDC will be able to confirm the cause once test results are available.

Royal Caribbean has assured passengers that they are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of everyone on board. The company has also isolated those who are sick to minimize the risk of further transmission.

Passengers have been advised to follow proper hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing, to help prevent the spread of illness. The CDC continues to provide guidance and support to the cruise line as they manage the outbreak.