Over 70 Guests Fall Ill in Norovirus Outbreak on Serenade of the Seas

A Royal Caribbean cruise through the Panama Canal has been hit by a gastrointestinal outbreak, with more than 70 guests falling sick.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the outbreak onboard Serenade of the Seas is linked to norovirus, a highly contagious illness that spreads quickly in close environments.

What Happened Onboard

The 13-night sailing departed San Diego on September 19, 2025, and is set to finish in Miami on October 2. Out of the 1,874 passengers onboard, 71 have reported symptoms. One crew member has also fallen ill.

Although the ship has a capacity of over 2,100 guests, the outbreak still represents 3.79% of those sailing. That threshold requires cruise lines to notify the CDC under its Vessel Sanitation Program.

The CDC confirmed this is the first norovirus outbreak reported on Serenade of the Seas since 2006.

Steps Taken to Control the Spread

Royal Caribbean has isolated affected guests and the crew member. The line has also increased cleaning and disinfection around the ship. Stool samples have been collected and tested to confirm the source.

Passengers are being reminded to take extra precautions, such as washing hands frequently and making sure they rest to support their immune system.

Despite the outbreak, the itinerary has not been altered. The ship made its final port call in Cartagena, Colombia, on September 29 and is continuing on schedule.

How Common Are Outbreaks at Sea?

Although headlines about illness at sea can sound alarming, outbreaks are not as frequent as they may seem. Cruise ships are required to report to the CDC whenever 3% or more of passengers or crew become sick with a gastrointestinal illness.

Out of the thousands of cruises that sail every year, there were just 14 reported outbreaks in 2023 and 18 in 2024. Serenade of the Seas now brings the total to 19 for 2025.

Royal Caribbean has already seen other outbreaks this year, including on Radiance of the Seas in February and Navigator of the Seas in July. Its luxury line Silversea has also had minor cases on Silver Ray, Silver Muse, and Silver Dawn, though not all of these reached the reporting threshold.

Should Future Cruisers Be Worried?

While there is always some risk when travelling in large groups, the odds of being caught up in an outbreak are low compared with the millions of people who cruise each year.

Enhanced cleaning, quick isolation of cases, and awareness from passengers all help limit the impact when illness does occur.

For now, Serenade of the Seas is pressing ahead with its schedule, and the majority of guests are continuing to enjoy their Panama Canal voyage.

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