PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Caribbean Princess cruise ship arrived at Port Canaveral on Monday after a Norovirus outbreak sickened more than 100 passengers.
The Caribbean Princess departed Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on April 28 on a 13-day voyage. The ship made stops in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Aruba, St. Maarten, Curacao, and Bonaire before the Norovirus outbreak infected 102 passengers and 13 crew members. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed the outbreak.
David Hanson was on board and said he believed he contracted Norovirus earlier in the trip.
“We just thought it was food poisoning, and then the next morning, we heard that there was an outbreak of the norovirus throughout the ship,” Hanson said.
Once an outbreak was confirmed, infected passengers were asked to stay in their rooms and quarantine.
“It was basically 24 hours of gastrointestinal experiences, and after that, you start feeling better,” Hanson said.
According to the CDC, Princess Cruises and the ship crew took several measures after the outbreak began, such as increased cleaning and disinfection procedures.
“Everybody was comfortable and no problems,” passenger Jeff Smathers said. “(Caribbean Princess workers) were very adamant about handwashing and taking care of your rooms.”
According to the CDC, the most common symptoms reported in this outbreak were diarrhea and vomiting. Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread quickly in close quarters.
Princess Cruises said the ship would undergo comprehensive cleaning and disinfection before departing on its next voyage, a six-day cruise scheduled to leave on Monday.