Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 3
Ruby Princess Norovirus Outbreak Sickens 125 on 20-Day Alaska Cruise
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 3

Ruby Princess Norovirus Outbreak Sickens 125 on 20-Day Alaska Cruise

3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 3

Summary

  • 102 passengers and 23 crew on the Ruby Princess were infected with norovirus during a 20-day round trip from San Francisco to Canada and Alaska, the CDC said after the ship docked Thursday.
  • 3,032 passengers and 1,144 crew were aboard the vessel, and officials said the outbreak was reported Saturday; those infected were not all sick at the same time or when the ship arrived.
  • Princess Cruises said the crew imposed enhanced sanitation measures during the voyage and would thoroughly clean and disinfect the ship before its next departure later Thursday.
  • Seven cruise-ship illness outbreaks have been reported to the CDC this year, mostly norovirus, which spreads easily through food, contaminated surfaces and close contact in crowded settings.

Insights

When a virus sweeps through a cruise ship, what legal responsibility does the company have for its sick passengers?
Cruise ships cause only 1% of norovirus outbreaks, so why do they capture so much public fear and media attention?
Are advanced disinfection technologies truly making cruises safer, or is it just a marketing strategy to restore passenger confidence?