Celebrity cruise ship leaves dock in Juneau, Alaska
Strong winds caused a Celebrity Cruises ship to separate from its anchorage in Juneau, Alaska. The captain steered the ship back to the pier.
A recent outbreak of gastrointestinal illness on board Celebrity Cruises affected more than 100 people.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 95 of the Celebrity Eclipse’s 3,042 passengers, along with nine crew members, reported feeling ill during the voyage, which ended Dec. 28. Their main symptoms were vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Health authorities say the causative agent is unknown. According to Cruise Mapper, the ship was on an eight-day Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale at the time.
According to the CDC, cruise lines have implemented enhanced disinfection and cleaning measures, isolated sick passengers and employees, and taken other steps. Celebrities did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s requests for comment.
The CDC has recorded 22 gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships this year that met the criteria for publication, 16 of which were caused by norovirus. The disease caused 15 of a total of 18 outbreaks in 2024 and 13 of 14 in the previous year.
The disease is often associated with cruise ships, but that accounts for only 1% of reported outbreaks.
“(Epidemics) often happen within communities, and we often don’t realize it’s happening,” Sarah R. Michaels, an assistant professor at Tulane University’s Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, previously told USA TODAY. “In fact, areas where people are in close contact, such as day care facilities, nursing homes, and cruise ships, are more likely to be diagnosed, reported, and brought to our attention.”
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. Please contact us at ndiller@usatoday.com.
