Norovirus Outbreak Affects Over 230 on Queen Mary 2 Luxury Cruise

A norovirus outbreak has led to sickness among over 230 individuals aboard the Queen Mary 2, with sanitation measures in full effect on the luxury cruise ship.

More than 230 individuals, comprising both passengers and crew members, have been affected by an outbreak of norovirus on the Queen Mary 2, a luxury ocean liner operated by Cunard Lines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 224 passengers and 17 crew members exhibited symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting during the ship's 29-day round-trip journey from Southampton, England, to the Caribbean.

The Queen Mary 2 embarked from Southampton on March 8, with a notable stop in New York City where the outbreak was initially reported on March 18. Currently, the ship is en route back to Southampton, scheduled to arrive on April 6, as per tracking data provided by Cruise Mapper.

In response to the outbreak, Cunard implemented immediate isolation for those affected and intensified sanitization onboard. The cruise line released a statement affirming that guests are under close monitoring, highlighting, “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.”

The Queen Mary 2, which launched in 2004 and measures 1,132 feet in length, is among the largest ocean liners globally. Norovirus, known for causing gastrointestinal distress, is particularly adept at spreading in confined spaces like cruise ships, healthcare facilities, and dormitories. The CDC estimates that norovirus infects approximately 21 million Americans every year and highlights that there is no specific treatment, though most individuals recover within a few days.

Cruise ships are mandated to notify the CDC regarding outbreaks, counting any individual sickened throughout the voyage rather than just those experiencing symptoms simultaneously. In previous incidents, the CDC had reported similar outbreaks on other cruise ships; for example, on March 16, 12 passengers and 22 crew members on the Seabourn Encore became sick, while last month a Holland America ship had 89 passengers and 4 crew members fall ill during its journey to the Caribbean.