We recently blogged about the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Majesty of the Seas, that left dozens of passengers sick with norovirus; now the cruise line is in the media spotlight again for what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls the worst virus outbreak on a cruise ship in 20 years.
On January 29, the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Explorer of the Seas, on which hundreds of passengers and crew members fell ill, returned to port in New Jersey, with health officials recommending those still showing symptoms check in to hotels and seek medical care before returning home.
The CDC reported that 630 passengers and 54 crew members became ill on the vessel. The ship, on a 10-day cruise, was carrying 3,050 passengers. Health investigators said norovirus is to blame, making this one of the largest outbreaks of the stomach illness in 20 years. In 2006, a norovirus outbreak on a Carnival Cruise Lines ship also affected close to 700 passengers.
Even after all of the negative media coverage, on January 31, Explorer of the Seas departed on its next cruise, a nine-night trip to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
What Should I Do If I Became Ill on a Cruise Ship Due to Negligence?
Norovirus is a common cause of illness in confined places like cruise ships. It is a highly contagious virus, spread by infected people or in contaminated food or water. According to the CDC, norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the nation, resulting in between 56,000 and 71,000 hospitalizations and as many as 800 deaths.
If you became ill on a cruise ship due to unsanitary conditions or cruise line negligence, speak with one of our attorneys today at 305-476-7400 for a free consultation to discuss your ability to pursue compensation.
Colson Hicks Eidson – Injury Attorneys