Investigation Update on the Serenade of the Seas

Investigation Update - June 14, 2004

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal (GI) illness on the ship, Serenade of the Seas, for the voyage completed on June 13, 2004, in Vancouver (sailing dates: June 6-13).

On June 11, the ship stopped in Ketchikan, Alaska, at which point Royal Caribbean Cruise Line contacted CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to report that an unusual number of Serenade of the Seas passengers were experiencing GI illness. At 12:20 p.m. ET on June 13, the ship’s medical staff reported that 71 of 2,273 (3.12%) passengers and 9 of 857 (1.05%) crew members were ill. Predominant symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea.

The vessel underwent extensive cleaning and disinfection. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line provided VSP with special daily reports on the following voyage (sailing dates: June 13-20); no elevated levels of GI illnesses were reported. Stool specimens were submitted and the causative agent is unknown.