89 Norovirus Cases Reported Aboard Holland America’s ms Rotterdam – 28 December 2025 to 9 January 2026

A gastrointestinal illness outbreak attributed to norovirus was recorded aboard Holland America Line's ms Rotterdam during a late-December to early-January Caribbean voyage. Between 28 December 2025, and 9 January 2026, close to 90 passengers and crew reported symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. U.S. health authorities confirmed the outbreak, with the majority of cases reported as mild and resolving quickly.

Holland America Line implemented CDC-aligned sanitation and containment protocols throughout the voyage, isolating affected passengers and crew to limit further spread. Following the ship's return to Fort Lauderdale on 9 January 2026, a thorough post-voyage sanitization of the vessel was completed.

The outbreak occurred during a Caribbean itinerary departing from Fort Lauderdale with ports of call including Curaçao, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and additional Caribbean destinations. The most commonly reported symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures were carried out across public areas and cabins throughout the sailing to contain the spread of infection.

Passengers

• 2,593 onboard; 81 passengers reported illness (approximately 3.1%).

Crew

• 8 crew members affected.

Fatalities

• None reported.

Injuries

• 89 passengers and crew reported gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea and vomiting); the majority were mild and resolved quickly.

Rescued

• Not applicable to this incident.

Holland America Line implemented CDC-aligned sanitation and containment protocols immediately upon identification of the outbreak. Affected passengers and crew were isolated to cabins to limit further spread. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures were carried out across all public areas and cabins throughout the remainder of the voyage. Following the vessel's return to Fort Lauderdale on 9 January 2026, a thorough post-voyage sanitization of the entire ship was completed.

Holland America Line stated that passenger and crew health remains a top priority and that the majority of reported cases were mild and resolved quickly. The vessel completed its post-voyage sanitization and returned to service. Norovirus outbreaks remain common in cruise-ship environments; CDC data show that norovirus was identified in 17 of 23 cruise-ship gastrointestinal outbreaks that met public-reporting criteria in 2025.