What bacteria is in the water on a cruise ship?

Legionella is often present in small quantities in the water cruise lines pick up in port for drinking, use in showers and amenities like whirlpool spas, but not high enough to make people sick, according to Richard Miller, founder and president of Environmental Safety Technologies, Inc. and a Legionella expert.



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Among the bacterial pathogens that cause respiratory infections on cruise ships, the most common infections reported have been due to Legionella species (Fig. 2).

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Infectious Disease Outbreaks The most frequently reported cruise ship outbreaks involve GI infections (e.g., norovirus), respiratory infections (e.g., coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19], influenza), and other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), such as varicella.

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  • Flu and other respiratory illnesses. Flu season spiked early this year in the U.S., along with another respiratory illness that can be particularly dangerous for older adults, respiratory syncytial virus, which is known as RSV. ...
  • Norovirus. ...
  • Measles. ...
  • Seasickness. ...
  • Burns and bites.


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When a toilet is flushed on a cruise ship, the sewage travels to the onboard treatment plant. Here the waste is filtered before it enters an aeration chamber. The aeration chamber cleans the waste. It is then sterilized using UV light and released into the ocean when clean enough to do so.

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In 2023, a decade-high number of cruise ships have reported an unwelcome passenger on board: norovirus. Outbreaks of the stomach bug have surged on cruise ships this year, reaching the highest levels seen in 10 years.

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With mal de debarquement syndrome, though, you can't shake the feeling that you're still on the boat. That's French for “sickness of disembarkment.” You feel like you're rocking or swaying even though you're not. It can happen to anyone, but it's much more common in women ages 30 to 60.

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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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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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The most recent norovirus outbreak occurred on a Viking Cruises voyage from Iceland that docked in New York City on June 20. About 13% of passengers and several crew members fell ill on board.

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Norovirus spreads easily and can make anyone ill, with symptoms usually lasting one to three days. The virus most often spreads in closed and crowded environments, such as hospitals, nursing homes, child care centers, school and cruise ships, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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The middle of the ship and not too high is your safest bet. A mid-ship stateroom with a balcony for quick access to fresh air may be ideal. If not available, consider a room that is either lower or closer to the back, as the front of the ship tends to experience the most movement.

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Cruising with Aerosol – Aerosols at Sea Unlike airplanes and cars, traveling by boat comes with different rules and safety regulations. Personal aerosol products like hairsprays, body sprays and Lysol cans are allowed on cruise ships in reasonable quantities.

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