In brief
More than 230 individuals, including passengers and crew members, have contracted norovirus aboard the Queen Mary 2, a Cunard Lines luxury ocean liner, during a 29-day round trip from England to the Eastern Caribbean, as reported by the CDC.
The Queen Mary 2, Cunard Line's flagship vessel, has been facing a severe norovirus outbreak that started during its recent journey from Southampton, England, to various destinations in the Caribbean. The outbreak was first detected on March 18 after the liner made a stop in New York City.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 224 passengers from the 2,538 on board, along with 17 crew members, reported symptoms indicative of norovirus, such as diarrhea and vomiting. Immediate isolation of the affected individuals and enhanced sanitation measures have been implemented onboard to control the outbreak.Throughout the cruise, the ship visited popular Caribbean ports including St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts, and Tortola. On Tuesday, the Queen Mary 2 continued its voyage across the Atlantic, scheduled to return to Southampton by April 6.A Cunard statement assured that the situation is being closely monitored, and deep cleaning procedures have been initiated on the ship. “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 line stated.Launched in 2004, the Queen Mary 2 measures an impressive 1,132 feet and ranks among the largest ocean liners globally. This is not the first incident of norovirus affecting the liner; a previous outbreak in 2013 caused significant disruptions during a voyage.Norovirus is a highly contagious gastrointestinal illness that thrives in confined environments, including cruise ships and healthcare settings. It is estimated that about 21 million Americans contract the illness annually, with transmission occurring through contaminated food, water, or direct contact with infected individuals. There is no specific cure, but most affected individuals recover within a few days.The CDC monitors and reports on norovirus outbreaks in cruise ships. Recent reports indicated similar outbreaks, including sickness among passengers and crew aboard the Seabourn Encore and a Holland America ship when they set sail in March 2025.
