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Posted on 12/07/2025 3:44:01 PM PST by nickcarraway
A norovirus outbreak has affected the German cruise ship AIDAdiva, with 95 passengers and 6 crew members reporting symptoms of the highly contagious gastrointestinal illness. The cases were first reported to health authorities on November 30, making this the eighth day of active infection on board as of December 7, and ruining a holiday of a lifetime for many.
The ship, operated by AIDA Cruises (a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation), is carrying 2,007 passengers and approximately 640 crew members. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the infected individuals represent fewer than 6 per cent of those on board so far.
Symptoms and immediate response – It’s not pleasant
Affected passengers and crew are experiencing classic norovirus (known in the UK as the “vomiting bug“) symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhoea, and muscle weakness. All confirmed and suspected cases have been isolated in their cabins under CDC protocols. Intensified cleaning and disinfection procedures have been implemented throughout the ship, with particular attention to high-touch surfaces such as railings, door handles, and shared facilities.
The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) is actively monitoring the situation and has confirmed that the ship is following required outbreak management procedures.
Where did it come from? Cruise itinerary and timing of outbreak
The AIDAdiva, famed for its smiley face paint job, departed Hamburg, Germany, on November 10, for a 133-day round-the-world voyage scheduled to conclude on March 23. The extensive itinerary includes stops across Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and back to Europe.
The outbreak emerged after the ship had visited several US ports, including Boston, New York, Miami, and Charleston, and around the time it docked in Cozumel, Mexico, the vessel’s first major Caribbean stop. Upcoming ports include destinations in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and later transits across the Pacific to Japan and South Korea, followed by Thailand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Portugal. Check where the ship is now through vesselfinder.com.
Expert context on cruise ship outbreaks
Health experts say that norovirus spreads easily in confined, high-density environments like cruise ships. “In close quarters it doesn’t get away; everything’s concentrated,” said Michael Zimring, director of the Center for Wilderness and Travel Medicine at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.
The CDC has recorded 21 gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships in 2025, the majority caused by norovirus, continuing a pattern seen in recent years. Authorities have noted a newly dominant norovirus strain circulating on land this season, which cruise ships typically mirror.
Current status and what’s left to look forward to
Despite the outbreak, the AIDAdiva is continuing its scheduled itinerary with heightened health protocols in place. The first leg of the voyage is set to conclude on December 16, with the full world cruise ending back in Hamburg in late March.
Health officials and the cruise line stress that while unpleasant, norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships are relatively common and usually self-limiting, with most people recovering within 1 to 3 days. The situation remains under close monitoring by both ship operators and international health authorities, as well as authorities at upcoming ports on the route.
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Sounds like the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship in Feb. 2000 when Covid broke out.
The course was more bad hygeine than anything else.
Probably the same here, start with the crew and their toilet habits.
I hope they brought extra toilet paper onboard.
https://www.cruisehive.com/passengers-and-crew-become-sick-aboard-carnival-owned-world-cruise/193964
Per the above...
“...This is the first AIDA Cruises outbreak in 2025, but the 16th norovirus outbreak overall...”
Ick.
The whole ship had bad hygiene?
Contact infection of infectious disease onboard a cruise ship
Really big ICK...
Where did they get their Crew ? LOL
At least I had the lasagna.
56 cruises without any virus.
“Luxury cruise”, as opposed to “basic utility cruise”?
Best period for cruises was from Sept 2021 to end of 2022 when my wife and I did half a dozen cruises all reduced to 50% off regular fare and EXTRA Hygiene practices on ship. Such as even in buffet no one could touch the food. It was served by a plastic gloved worker behind the counter. No moro-virus or covid breakouts. Masks were required in all public areas.
Chicken or the egg
Swab the deck with Clorox
Do they care?
Never been on a cruise; don’t think I will.
“Where did they get their Crew ?”
Somalia.
“Never been on a cruise; don’t think I will.”
I know I won’t!!
It’ll be fun, they said.
🤣
Shoulda booked the three-hour tour.
My wife and I just had this last week. And we are on tierra firma. Not fun.
Four cruises, no illness for me.
I told my wife I’d never go on a cruise ship. You want to go fine but I’ll fly to wherever it is headed and meet you there.
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