Can you get diarrhea on a cruise ship?

Food poisoning. Or maybe it's norovirus, a contagious virus that often keeps you at the toilet for several days. Some people know it as the ?cruise ship virus? because it's often the cause of over 90% of diarrhea outbreaks on cruise ships, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.



Diarrhea on a cruise ship is a common but preventable issue, most frequently caused by Norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug. In 2026, cruise lines have implemented "bio-shield" cleaning protocols and automated hand-washing stations, yet outbreaks can still occur in crowded environments. Beyond viruses, "traveler's diarrhea" can also stem from rich buffet food, increased alcohol consumption, or local water/food during shore excursions. To minimize risk, travelers are urged to use soap and water rather than just hand sanitizer, as sanitizer is notoriously ineffective against Norovirus. If you do fall ill, you are required by maritime law to report it to the ship's medical center. While this may result in a brief 24–48 hour cabin quarantine to protect the other 3,000+ passengers, the medical staff can provide effective hydration and anti-nausea treatments to help you recover quickly and enjoy the rest of your voyage.

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People often associate cruise ships with acute gastrointestinal illnesses such as norovirus, but acute gastrointestinal illness is relatively infrequent on cruise ships.

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Respiratory Illnesses. Respiratory illnesses are the most common medical complaint on cruise ships.

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Cruise ships are often associated with norovirus because of the enclosed spaces, close living quarters, communal dining and high turnover of passengers, experts note. That said, outbreaks of acute gastrointestinal illnesses are relatively infrequent on cruise ships compared to settings on land, the CDC notes.

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Or maybe it's norovirus, a contagious virus that often keeps you at the toilet for several days. Some people know it as the “cruise ship virus” because it's often the cause of over 90% of diarrhea outbreaks on cruise ships, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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If you get diarrhea, drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated. In serious cases of travelers' diarrhea, oral rehydration solution—available online or in pharmacies in developing countries—can be used for fluid replacements.

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The outbreaks affected Royal Caribbean and Carnival lines, on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean International, Holland America, Princess and P&O ships, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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“The virus is often associated with cruise travel simply because health officials are required to track illnesses on ships,” Shah said. “The CDC estimates only about 1% of annual U.S. norovirus cases happen on cruise ships.

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Cabins at the Front of the Ship This is because the front of the ship is more exposed to the movement of the water as they plough through the rough seas. If you're prone to seasickness, it's best to avoid cabins at the front of the ship.

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What Should You Do If You Contract Norovirus on a Cruise? If you feel ill, it's best to isolate yourself and let a fellow traveler and a crew member know about your situation. If you stay, you will likely be confined and cared for by the crew.

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Most cases are mild, but for some people it is severe. Travellers' diarrhoea tends to happen in the first week of travel. Symptoms last on average 3 to 5 days and usually get better without you needing specific treatment.

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More than 300 sickened on Ruby Princess cruise ship, CDC says. Hundreds of passengers and crew members fell ill while on board a Princess Cruises ship, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. In total, 284 of 2,881 passengers on the Ruby Princess reported being sick during the voyage between Feb.

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One of the biggest misconceptions about cruise ships is that they're germ incubators—that you can't escape. But the likelihood of catching a stomach bug on a seven-day voyage is less than 1 percent—which is about a third the risk of getting infected in your day-to-day life back home, says Dr.

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While the virus has garnered the nickname “cruise ship virus,” in reality, norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships account for only 1% of all reported norovirus outbreaks, the CDC says. In fact, acute gastrointestinal illness is fairly uncommon on cruise ships, the agency says.

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