The gleaming decks of luxury cruise ships promise escape and indulgence, but for 24 travelers aboard the Regent Seven Seas Explorer, their dream vacation hit rough waters. Between April 26 and May 14, 2025, 22 of 666 passengers (3.0%) and 2 crew members got sick with stomach bugs, which the CDC officially declared an outbreak.
Diarrhea and vomiting hit guests who had paid top dollar for a luxury experience. While tests haven’t yet identified the exact germ, it looks a lot like norovirus—the bug behind most cruise ship outbreaks.
The cruise line acted fast. Staff stepped up cleaning, wiping down everything from elevator buttons to casino chips. Sick guests stayed in their cabins. The CDC watched from shore, reviewing cleaning procedures and testing samples to find the cause.
This outbreak isn’t happening alone. Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas had 89 sick passengers during a February Caribbean trip. The Viking Polaris reported 32 cases in April. That makes 16 total cruise outbreaks already in 2025—a worrying trend for cruise lines still bouncing back from COVID fears and grappling with security issues, as recent terminal turmoil and onboard brawls highlight the challenges of managing passenger safety both in port and at sea.
Cruise industry experts note the timing coincides with peak Caribbean season from November to April. Step onto any luxury cruise ship today and you’ll spot the changes. Crew members in crisp uniforms stand at dining room entrances with automatic hand sanitizer dispensers. Signs remind guests to wash hands often. At buffets, plastic shields guard food, and staff serve items that guests once grabbed themselves. These visible measures highlight the contrast between five-star luxury and the fight against invisible germs.
Health experts note that peak Caribbean cruise season from November to April coincides with the highest risk period for norovirus. Studies show close quarters combined with communal dining create ideal conditions for rapid transmission in cruise environments.
For travelers planning cruise trips, the CDC has simple advice. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. Use the hand sanitizer stations placed around the ship as backup. Remember that alcohol-based sanitizers kill many germs but don’t work as well as soap against norovirus.
When outbreaks happen, avoid self-serve food areas where tongs and spoons can spread germs. Tell the ship’s doctors right away if you feel sick—they have medicines to help and can keep you comfortable in your cabin.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises added more cleaning across their fleet. According to the CDC report, crew isolated sick passengers, stepped up cleaning and disinfection, and collected samples for testing.
While stomach bugs on cruises make news, they affect very few of the millions who cruise each year. The CDC’s 3% reporting rule means even small outbreaks get close watching—a safety system not found in many land-based vacation spots.
Before booking your next cruise, check the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program website for recent outbreak reports. Think about ship size—smaller ships might mean less exposure—and look at the cruise line’s cleaning score. If you’re worried, travel insurance with good medical coverage adds peace of mind.
The sea still calls to travelers looking for amazing experiences. With smart steps, your cruise memories can focus on sunset drinks and exotic ports instead of the ship’s medical center.
