Coral Princess Norovirus Outbreak 2025: 82 Affected During 16-Day Voyage

Introduction
A norovirus outbreak aboard Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess has affected 82 individuals during a 16-day voyage from California to Florida. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 69 passengers and 13 crew members reported symptoms consistent with the highly contagious gastrointestinal illness. This marks the second norovirus incident on the 23-year-old vessel this year, following a similar outbreak in January that impacted 148 individuals. The outbreak underscores the challenges cruise lines face in managing public health risks aboard ships, particularly during long voyages with multiple port calls.

Details of the Incident
The Coral Princess departed Los Angeles on February 21, 2025, embarking on a 16-day journey that included stops in Mexico, Costa Rica, Aruba, and the Panama Canal before concluding in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During the voyage, 69 of the ship’s 1,906 passengers and 13 of its 895 crew members reported symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, indicative of norovirus.

The outbreak was officially reported to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program on March 7, 2025, two days prior to the ship’s final port call in Fort Lauderdale. In response, the vessel implemented stringent measures to contain the spread of the virus, including isolating affected guests and crew, intensifying cleaning and disinfection protocols, and collecting samples for laboratory analysis.

This incident represents the ninth gastrointestinal outbreak to impact cruise passengers during the first three months of 2025, compared to 18 outbreaks reported over the previous year. Earlier in the year, the Coral Princess experienced a separate norovirus outbreak in January, affecting 128 passengers and 20 crew members during a two-week voyage.

Response and Impact
Princess Cruises acted swiftly to mitigate the outbreak, implementing isolation measures for affected individuals and enhancing sanitation efforts across the ship. Crew members conducted thorough cleaning and disinfection of high-touch areas, adhering to CDC guidelines to prevent further transmission. Samples were collected from symptomatic individuals and sent to laboratories for analysis to confirm the presence of norovirus and identify potential sources of contamination.

Despite these efforts, the outbreak highlights ongoing concerns about the vulnerability of cruise ships to infectious diseases, particularly those as contagious as norovirus. Industry experts emphasize the importance of pre-cruise health screenings, strict hygiene practices, and rapid response protocols to minimize the risk of outbreaks.

The recurrence of norovirus incidents on the Coral Princess raises questions about the effectiveness of existing health and safety measures, particularly on older vessels like the 965-foot-long ship. Advocacy groups are calling for increased transparency, improved sanitation systems, and mandatory reporting of all gastrointestinal illnesses to better protect passengers and crew.

Passengers aboard the affected voyage have expressed mixed reactions, with some praising the cruise line’s response while others criticized the lack of preventive measures. Princess Cruises has assured travelers of its commitment to safety and reiterated its cooperation with the CDC to address the situation.

Key Takeaways

• A norovirus outbreak aboard *Coral Princess* affected 69 passengers and 13 crew members during a 16-day voyage from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale.
• This marks the second norovirus incident on the vessel in 2025, following an outbreak in January that impacted 148 individuals.
• The cruise line implemented isolation measures, intensified cleaning protocols, and collected samples for laboratory analysis to contain the outbreak.
• The incident is part of a broader trend, with nine gastrointestinal outbreaks reported during the first three months of 2025 compared to 18 in the previous year.
• Industry experts emphasize the need for improved sanitation systems, stricter hygiene practices, and greater transparency to prevent future outbreaks.

This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges cruise lines face in managing public health risks aboard ships, particularly during extended voyages with multiple port calls. It also highlights the importance of robust preventive measures and rapid response protocols to protect passengers and crew.