Investigation Update on the Norwegian Crown

Investigation Update - March 24, 2004

Norwegian Cruise Line reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal (GI) illness on the ship, Norwegian Crown, for the cruise completed on March 22, 2004 (sailing dates: 3/7-3/22/2004) in Miami, Florida.

On March 20, Norwegian Cruise Line contacted CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to report that an unusual number of Norwegian Crown passengers were experiencing GI illness. At 10:40 a.m. EST on March 20, the ship’s medical staff reported that 77 of 984 (7.82%) passengers and 10 of 541 (1.85%) crew members were ill. The predominant symptom was diarrhea.

The vessel underwent extensive cleaning and disinfection, and lab specimens were submitted. Norwegian Cruise Lines notified all passengers arriving for the next cruise (sailing dates: 3/22-4/4/2004) of the elevated levels of GI illness during the previous voyage; all passengers chose to sail. Norwegian Cruise Line provided daily reports to VSP throughout the next voyage and reported elevated levels of GI illnesses.