The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a significant outbreak of norovirus on the Queen Mary 2, a luxury cruise ship currently on a 29-day round-trip voyage from England to the Eastern Caribbean. The outbreak has affected 224 passengers out of 2,538 onboard, along with 17 crew members. The ship departed from Southampton, England, on March 8, 2025, and has made stops at various destinations including New York, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts, and Tortola.
The Queen Mary 2 is expected to arrive back in Southampton on April 6, 2025. The CDC confirmed that passengers and crew reported symptoms primarily consisting of diarrhea and vomiting. To contain the outbreak, Cunard Lines, the cruise operator, has implemented strict sanitizing measures, including deep cleaning and isolating those infected. In a statement, Cunard emphasized, “Thanks to the swift response from our crew and the additional measures that we have in place, we are already seeing a reduction in reported cases.”
Norovirus, often referred to as the “cruise ship virus,” is highly contagious and spreads rapidly in crowded environments such as cruise ships, schools, and dormitories. According to Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert, “This is a virus that can infect you with very few viral particles.” He explained that the infectious dose is very small and that the virus can linger on surfaces for days, making it easy for people to contract it by touching contaminated surfaces and then their mouths.
The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noted that norovirus is primarily transmitted through contaminated food or water, but it can also spread through person-to-person contact or touching contaminated surfaces. The symptoms typically include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and in some cases, low-grade fever and fatigue. The CDC has reported 11 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships in 2025, with nine of those attributed to norovirus.
In response to the outbreak, Cunard has ramped up its cleaning and disinfection protocols. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) is closely monitoring the situation, reviewing the ship's outbreak response and sanitation procedures. Cunard has also collected stool specimens from affected passengers for testing.
Norovirus is notorious for its rapid spread and difficulty to control once an outbreak begins. There is currently no specific medication to treat the virus, and the best prevention methods include frequent handwashing, isolating sick individuals, and maintaining proper sanitation practices. Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine, advises that hydration is crucial for those infected, as the illness generally lasts between one to three days.
The Queen Mary 2’s recent itinerary included several popular Caribbean destinations, and the outbreak has raised concerns among travelers and health officials alike. The CDC continues to emphasize the importance of hygiene and sanitation, especially in environments where people are in close quarters.
In addition to the Queen Mary 2 incident, other cruise ships have reported similar outbreaks. For example, the Holland America Line’s Rotterdam experienced an outbreak in early March, affecting 89 passengers and four crew members, following another outbreak on the same ship a month prior where 107 guests and 12 crew members fell ill.
As the cruise industry continues to navigate the challenges posed by norovirus, the importance of effective sanitation and rapid response measures cannot be overstated. With the CDC's ongoing monitoring and Cunard's proactive measures, the hope is to minimize further infections and ensure passenger safety as the Queen Mary 2 completes its journey back to Southampton.
