Investigation Update on the Brilliance of the Seas

Investigation Update - February 25, 2004

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal illness (GI) on the cruise ship Brilliance of the Seas, which sailed from Miami, Florida February 16, 2004, for a 10 day cruise ending on February 26, 2004.

On February 22, 2004 Royal Caribbean Cruise Line contacted CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to report that an unusual number of Brilliance of the Seas passengers were experiencing GI.  On February 24, the ship’s medical staff reported that 78 of 2187 (3.57%) passengers and 16 of 842 (1.9%) crew members were ill. Predominant symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea.

The vessel underwent extensive cleaning and disinfection, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line provided special daily reports to VSP; no significant levels of GI illnesses were reported. Lab Specimens were obtained and tested positive for novovirus.