More than 130 individuals aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship have reportedly fallen ill due to a gastrointestinal outbreak, health officials say.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the incident occurred during a voyage that departed from Los Angeles on July 4, 2025, aboard the Navigator of the Seas, a cruise liner operated by Royal Caribbean International.
According to a recent update by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 134 passengers out of the 3,900 onboard reported symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness.
Seven crew members among the 1,266 staff were also affected.
The CDC revealed that the affected individuals experienced symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
However, the specific cause of the illness remains unknown as investigations are still underway.
The outbreak was officially reported to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) when the cruise ship returned to Los Angeles on July 11, concluding its weeklong voyage.
The VSP monitors and responds to outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness aboard ships that call at U.S. ports and carry 13 or more passengers.
This latest incident marks the 18th gastrointestinal outbreak reported under the CDC’s VSP in 2025 alone, matching the total number of such incidents documented for the entire previous year.
Historically, the majority of outbreaks recorded under the program have been linked to Norovirus, a highly contagious virus that spreads through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or close contact with infected individuals.
Although the CDC has not yet confirmed whether Norovirus is the culprit in this case, the symptoms reported on the Navigator of the Seas align with known signs of Norovirus infections.
Royal Caribbean, one of the world’s largest cruise operators, has not yet issued a formal public statement regarding the outbreak, nor has it confirmed what measures were taken to contain the spread of illness onboard.
The CDC noted that it is continuing to collaborate with the cruise line to identify the source of the illness and assess the effectiveness of sanitation protocols.
Cruise ships are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of gastrointestinal diseases due to the close living quarters, shared dining spaces, and frequent international port stops.
Passengers who experience symptoms are often encouraged to report promptly to onboard medical personnel and to adhere to enhanced hygiene practices.
Health experts recommend that cruise travelers wash their hands frequently, avoid close contact with sick individuals, and remain cautious about food and beverage intake while aboard.
As of now, no further outbreaks have been reported on other Royal Caribbean vessels.
Authorities are expected to release more findings once laboratory testing and environmental assessments are concluded.
👇👇👇
Follow DDM’s official WhatsApp Channel for real-time updates.
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vajkwdc4dTnFHl19vW3g