More than 100 cruise ship passengers on Caribbean Princess taken ill with norovirus

More than 100 cruise ship passengers have fallen ill with norovirus in the Caribbean.

The highly contagious illness, also called the winter vomiting bug, has affected 102 of the ship's 3,116 passengers and 13 of its crew, NBC - Sky's US partner network said - quoting the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Vomiting and diarrhoea were the key symptoms of those taken ill on board the vessel and are also the most common effects of norovirus.

The outbreak was reported on Thursday.

As of Saturday night, UK time, the vessel, which is cruising the Caribbean, was off Cat Island in the Bahamas, according to CruiseMapper.

It had set out from Florida on 28 April and is due to arrive in Nassau on Sunday before reaching Port Canaveral the following day, where the cruise ends.

Princess Cruises said "a limited number of individuals reported mild gastrointestinal illness" and it had "quickly disinfected every area of the ship and added extra sanitising throughout the voyage".

Once it arrives in the US, the ship will undergo "comprehensive cleaning and disinfection before departing for her next voyage".

The cruise line said it implemented enhanced sanitation procedures, while the CDC said sick passengers and crewmembers were isolated and stool samples were collected for testing.

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In March, more than 150 passengers on board a different Princess cruise ship, the Star Princess, contracted norovirus.

Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhoea, and foodborne illness in the United States, the CDC said on its website, and can affect people of all ages.

Mostly spread through direct contact, cruises, where large numbers of people are in close proximity, are especially prone to outbreaks, the NHS said on its website.

"Proper handwashing" and other simple steps can help prevent getting and spreading norovirus, the CDC said, adding that most sufferers "get better within one to three days; but they can still spread the virus for a few days after".

(c) Sky News 2026: More than 100 cruise ship passengers on Caribbean Princess taken ill with norovirus