At a Glance
- 89 passengers and crew on the Holland America Rotterdam fell ill with norovirus during a Dec. 28-Jan. 5 cruise.
- The ship returned to Fort Lauderdale on Friday after a week-long voyage.
- This marks the second outbreak aboard the same vessel in under a year.
- Why it matters: Rapid sanitization and CDC protocols aim to stop further spread before the next sailing.
A norovirus outbreak aboard Holland America’s Rotterdam sickened 81 passengers and eight crew members on a recent seven-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale, prompting a full-ship disinfection before the vessel is cleared for its next voyage.
The 2,593-passenger, 1,005-crew liner departed Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 28 and returned Jan. 5, according to statements from the cruise line and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms reported were vomiting and diarrhea, classic signs of the highly contagious stomach bug.
Outbreak Details
Holland America said the cases were mostly mild and quickly resolved once identified. Crew members isolated affected guests and collected stool specimens to confirm the pathogen. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program tracked the incident and noted that comprehensive sanitization began immediately after docking.
Key actions taken:
- Isolation of ill passengers and crew
- Collection of stool samples for lab confirmation
- Enhanced cleaning of high-touch surfaces
- Coordination with CDC protocols
The ship’s medical team administered supportive care, and no hospitalizations were reported.
Repeat Incident
This is the second norovirus outbreak on the Rotterdam within 11 months. During a Feb. 2 sailing last year, 169 people-about 4.6 percent of those on board-fell ill with similar symptoms. That voyage also originated from Fort Lauderdale and triggered the same CDC oversight and disinfection procedures.
Comparison of the two outbreaks:
| Date | Ill Passengers | Ill Crew | Total Ill | Percentage of People On Board |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2024 | 145 | 24 | 169 | 4.6% |
| Dec 2024-Jan 2025 | 81 | 8 | 89 | 2.4% |
While the absolute number of cases dropped, the percentage of those affected also fell by nearly half.
Health Protocols
Holland America emphasized that the health of guests and crew is the top priority. The line follows CDC protocols that require:
- Reporting threshold: 2 percent of passengers or crew ill with gastrointestinal symptoms
- Immediate isolation of cases
- Enhanced sanitation using EPA-approved disinfectants
- Delay of embarkation for the next cruise if needed
The Rotterdam was cleared to sail its next itinerary after the Friday disinfection, according to the cruise line.
CDC Oversight
The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program monitors all cruise ships sailing in U.S. waters. When an outbreak meets the reporting threshold, the agency:
- Posts the incident publicly
- Reviews the ship’s response
- May conduct an unannounced inspection
- Can recommend itinerary changes or voyage delays
Data show norovirus outbreaks occur more often in winter months when the virus is most active on land. Cruise ships are especially vulnerable because of close living quarters and shared dining areas.
Passenger Experience
Guests who were not ill reported normal activities continued with enhanced hand-sanitizing stations placed throughout the ship. Buffet service switched to staff-served options to reduce contact. Disembarkation proceeded on schedule Friday morning.
One traveler, who asked not to be named, told News Of Fort Worth that crew announcements were frequent and transparent, explaining the situation and urging good hygiene practices.
Next Steps
The Rotterdam is scheduled for weekly departures from Fort Lauderdale through March. Holland America said it will continue enhanced cleaning between sailings and monitor guests for symptoms at embarkation.
Key takeaways:
- 89 people were affected, representing 2.4 percent of those on board
- The ship has been fully sanitized under CDC guidelines
- This is the second outbreak on the same vessel since February 2024
- No delays are expected for upcoming cruises
Megan L. Whitfield reported that the cruise line has not altered any future itineraries in response to the incident.
