Image by Jörg Hamel from Pixabay
An outbreak on Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas cruise prompts a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigation. Given the symptoms, the illness is likely to be foodborne in origin. Though the most commonly associated cruise ship illness, norovirus, has been ruled out.
Here’s what we know so far about the Radiance of the Seas cruise outbreak.
Royal Caribbean International’s Radiance of the Seas cruise voyage 20136 left its port in Tampa on February 1, 2025.
Days into the trip, people began falling sick. The most common symptoms involved diarrhea and vomiting lasting around 24 hours. This outbreak was reported to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program on February 4, 2025.
By the time the ship returned to Florida on February 8, 2025, at least 160 of the 2,164 passengers and eight of the 910 crew reported illness.
160 Passengers
8 Crew
Unconfirmed Illness (vomiting and diarrhea)
The CDC is working to determine the germ responsible for the illness and a potential source of the outbreak.
The investigation is ongoing.
Despite being so early in the year, this Radiance of the Seas outbreak is not the first cruise to have an outbreak in 2025. In fact, it isn’t even the second.
This cruise marks the sixth outbreak on a cruise ship this year!
Previous cruise outbreaks include:
In addition to the currently investigated Radiance of the Seas outbreak, the Holland American Line is also experiencing an active norovirus outbreak on their Rotterdam vessel. That ship is not scheduled to return until February 14, 2025.
Cruises are as synonymous with buffets as they are with the open water. But some passengers noted that preventative measures onboard changed those experiences.
In addition to the obvious reduction in number of people in dining areas (likely due to self-quarantine or illness preventing them from dining with the general public) passengers noted increased cleaning activities.
Changes to the buffets were also noted.
Some passengers noted that in areas that were typically self-serve, staff were dishing out servings to minimize hands touching serve ware.
This is likely what was meant by the statement issued by Royal Caribbean International.
“Enhanced measures have been implemented onboard in an abundance of caution to protect the health and comfort of all our guests and crew.”
According to the CDC, crew aboard Radiance of the Seas reported the following actions:
During this time, the CDC monitored the outbreak response and sanitation procedures remotely.
The CDC is analyzing patient samples collected onboard to determine the germ responsible for these 168 illnesses. With limited information, we can narrow down the likely suspects.
Common foodborne pathogens include:
We can take norovirus off the list, because reports indicate that germ has been ruled out. Onsite testing for this common pathogen is likely available onboard the ship.
We know that people began reporting illness on day 4 of the voyage. So, a germ with a longer incubation period can be ruled out. Remove Hepatitis A and Shigella from the list.
We know that symptoms resolved in about 24 hours. So longer-term illnesses can be ruled out. Remove Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Vibrio from the list.
Vomiting and diarrhea were the predominant complaints. So we can rule out those that do not involve at least those symptoms. Remove Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, and Shigella.
Certain other major symptoms are common with illnesses like Clostridium botulinum. So that germ can be removed from the list.
Considering other factors, including the buffet variable, my guess is that we will discover the cause is Staphylococcus aureus.
Why do I think it is Staphylococcal food poisoning?
Common illness onset is 1-6 hours
Symptoms usually include sudden onset of severe nausea and vomiting along with abdominal cramps. Diarrhea and fever may also be present with this illness. Symptoms usually improve with this type of foodborne infection in around 24 to 48 hours.
Common foods responsible for this illness include unrefrigerated or improperly refrigerated meats, potato and egg salads, and cream pastries.
We will know more about the source of this outbreak soon. Regardless of the germ, those impacted by it unfortunately suffered from their illness.
With outbreak after outbreak in the news, you may be concerned about booking your next voyage. While the risk of foodborne illness on a cruise ship is there, with many potential sources out of your control, there are a few things you can do to minimize your risk.
Most foodborne illnesses are transmitted from touching something contaminated and then eating. Washing your hands before you eat and/or keeping portable hand sanitizer on you (and using it) can help minimize risk from that source.
Buffets are a huge attraction on cruises. They are also convenient, as no reservations are needed, and they are often available most of the day. But the more food is exposed to the public, the more likely it is to be contaminated. Eating at the ship’s onboard restaurants helps to minimize this exposure risk.
If you see someone that is sick (vomiting or something else) leave the area. You can alert staff that a passenger needs help. But do not expose yourself unnecessarily. The ship has staff on board that are trained to handle sick passengers. Let them do it, as they have the appropriate person protective equipment.
If you got sick in the Radiance of the Seas cruise or other cruise voyage, and wish to file legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a food poisoning lawyer that can help!
The Lange Law Firm has represented families with situations just like yours and won millions of dollars in food poisoning and product liability lawsuits. Let them help you get the justice you deserve.
Call (833) 330-3663 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Or fill out the online submission form and someone will get back with you right away.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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