On March 12 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 104 passengers and 49 crew members are sick with norovirus on the Star Princess. The Princess Cruises owned ship is currently on a March 7 – March 14 Caribbean voyage.
The CDC monitors gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses on cruise ships as part of the Cruise Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP). The CDC reports a GI outbreak on a ship when 3% or more of passengers or crew report signs of GI illness to ship’s medical staff.
Symptoms of GI illness include diarrhea, muscle ache, headache, abdominal cramps, or fever. Norovirus is the most common cause of GI outbreaks on cruise ships, accounting for 17 out of 23 outbreaks in 2025.
The total number of sick passengers and crew members may increase as the Star Princess returns to port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Star Princess is a mega ship with a capacity of over 4,000 passengers and 1,500 crew members.
The CDC and Princess Cruises have not yet responded to requests for comment.