Over 80 Passengers Hit by Norovirus on Coral Princess Panama Canal Cruise

It’s the news every cruiser dreads—the dreaded norovirus has struck again, this time aboard Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess. Over 80 passengers and crew members—69 guests and 13 crew—spent part of their 16-night Panama Canal voyage dealing with the unpleasant combination of vomiting and diarrhoea. Certainly not the luxurious sailing experience anyone had planned!

Details of the Outbreak

The Coral Princess, carrying 1,906 guests and 895 crew, departed from Los Angeles on 21 February 2025, making stops at stunning destinations like Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Aruba before finally docking in Fort Lauderdale on 9 March. Unfortunately, the highly contagious norovirus decided to hitch a ride, with the CDC confirming the virus as responsible for the outbreak.

Cruise Line’s Response

Princess Cruises swiftly enacted enhanced cleaning protocols, isolating ill passengers and crew, and collecting samples for laboratory testing. However, this wasn’t Coral Princess’s first encounter with norovirus this year; a similar outbreak in January affected 148 passengers and crew.

Wider Cruise Industry Impact

Princess Cruises isn’t alone in facing challenges from this persistent virus. Other cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, and Viking Ocean Cruises, have also reported outbreaks in recent months. Holland America’s Eurodam experienced the most severe incident, with nearly 8% of its passengers falling ill.

If you’ve noticed more frequent headlines about cruise ship outbreaks lately, you’re not imagining it. Norovirus outbreaks at sea have tripled this year compared to the same timeframe last year. But before you decide to stay on dry land permanently, remember that norovirus isn’t exclusive to cruising—it’s also surging across the US, particularly in states like Florida.

Prevention Tips

With outbreaks happening both at sea and ashore, your best protection remains practising excellent hygiene: wash your hands regularly, carry hand sanitiser, and perhaps most importantly, keep a good sense of humour and patience handy. After all, a little caution can ensure smooth sailing ahead!

You Might Like to Read

• Carnival vs. Princess Cruise Line Showdown
• Always Do These 12 Things at a Cruise Ship Buffet
• Shocking Moment Cruise Ship Tilts in Rough Waters Leaving 16 Injured as Chaos Unfolds