A LUXURY cruise turned into a nightmare at sea as dozens of passengers were left doubled over with severe stomach pain and vomiting.
The Oceania Insignia, billed as an “ultra premium” experience, has reported more than 70 passengers falling ill during its 11-day trip.
Health officials later confirmed the cause as norovirus, a highly contagious bug known for triggering sudden bouts of diarrhea and sickness.
The vessel departed from Montreal on October 16 and is due to arrive in Boston on October 27.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 74 passengers have been struck down so far.
That’s 11.6% of the 637 travelers on board.
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One crew member out of 391 has also reported falling ill.
The CDC identified norovirus as the cause, a highly contagious bug known for causing sudden bouts of diarrhea, vomiting, and cramps.
The outbreak was first reported to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program on October 20.
In a statement, Oceania Cruises described the situation as a case of “acute gastroenteritis” among guests.
“At Oceania Cruises, the health and safety of our guests is the number one priority,” the cruise line said in a statement.
“The ship’s sanitation officer has activated the CDC approved protocol and all guests experiencing symptoms are being treated.”
The company said ill passengers and crew have been isolated to prevent further spread.
In addition, cleaning and disinfection efforts have been ramped up across the vessel.
The CDC confirmed that stool samples were collected from sick passengers for testing.
Health experts warned that outbreaks like this can spread quickly in the tight quarters of cruise ships.
The 5 everyday mistakes putting you at greater risk of norovirus
SUFFERING from headaches, vomiting or a high temperature? You’re not alone.
Cases of the sickness bug norovirus have increased rapidly over the last few weeks.
Norovirus spreads very easily through close contact as well as contaminated surfaces and food, so sometimes you simply won’t be able to evade it.
However, there are some easy ways to protect yourself from the dreaded bug, according to two experts.
Importantly, try to avoid making these five mistakes:
1. Poor hand hygiene
Failing to wash hands properly after using the bathroom or before handling food can spread norovirus, according to Dr Damien Tully, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
As Dr Tully explains, “Norovirus is quite resilient—alcohol-based hand sanitisers won’t work as they can’t break through the virus’s protective protein coat.”
2. The wrong cleaning products
Using the wrong cleaning products can leave the virus behind, Dr Zina Alfahl, from the University of Galway, explains.
“Norovirus is resistant to many cleaning agents, so it’s essential to use disinfectants with chlorine bleach to effectively neutralise it,” she says.
3. Food prep errors
Preparing food while sick or shortly after recovery can contaminate meals.
Eating raw shellfish, like oysters, also increases the risk as they filter and accumulate the virus, making proper food washing essential, Dr Tully says.
4. Poor sickness protocol
If you’re ill, cleaning up properly is crucial, Dr Alfahl, added.
“Scrub thoroughly and clean promptly” to prevent further contamination, she explains.
5. Sharing towels, cutlery, and phones
Sharing personal items such as towels, cutlery, or phones without proper sanitation can easily spread the virus.
To reduce risk, “maintain good hygiene and avoid sharing these items,” Dr Alfahl adds.
Shared dining spaces, close living arrangements, and passengers boarding after stops make norovirus difficult to control.
The Insignia has already made stops in Canada and Maine before heading toward Boston.
Once it docks on Monday, the ship is set to begin another voyage the same day – a 16-day trip to Miami.
This is the 20th gastrointestinal outbreak reported on a cruise ship this year under the CDC’s program.
Fifteen of those outbreaks were caused by norovirus.
While cruise ships see intense coverage, the CDC notes these outbreaks account for just 1% of all norovirus cases nationwide.
Last month, a similar outbreak sickened 71 passengers and one crew member aboard Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas.
The ship, carrying nearly 1,900 passengers, had departed from San Diego on September 19 and reported the outbreak to the CDC on September 28.
It later docked in Miami after a 13-night voyage.
The CDC said outbreaks at sea remain a challenge, as norovirus can be introduced through contaminated food, water, or infected passengers are urged to report symptoms promptly to onboard medical staff so infections can be contained.
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Cruise lines are required by law to immediately notify the CDC of gastrointestinal illness cases.
Despite strict reporting rules and rapid cleaning measures, norovirus remains one of the most common cruise ship outbreaks worldwide.
