RyndamCruise Critic is reporting that the Holland America Line (HAL) Ryndam cruise ship is a code red situation with a gastrointestinal virus sickening passengers sailing from the U.K.

The HAL cruise ship is returning to port in Harwich a day early, this Friday July 3rd, in order for the crew members to conduct what is called a "deep cleaning" before the next round of passengers arrive, according to Cruise Critic. 

HAL says that a "high number of guests reported to the infirmary" during the current cruise. HAL has not disclosed the actual number of sick guests or crew members.

HAL thinks that norovirus is involved. 

As is the case with virtually all cruise-related norovirus cases, there has been no disclosure of the cause of the viral outbreak (i.e., contaminated food or water, crew members working while ill, or – the cruise industry’s favorite excuse, cruise passengers who don’t wash their hands).

There have been nine norovirus cases officially reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the last six months of this year.  Many other outbreaks have occurred outside of the U.S. jurisdiction.  

Photo Credit: Roger Wollstadt CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons