Investigation Update on the Splendour of the Seas

Investigation Update - November 28, 2005

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal (GI) illness on the cruise ship, Splendour of the Seas, for the 14 day voyage completed on November 26, 2005, (sailing dates: 11/12-11/26/2005) in Galveston, TX.

On November 23, 2005, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line contacted CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to report that an elevated number of Splendour of the Seas passengers and crew were experiencing GI illness. On November 26, the ship’s medical staff reported that 135 of 1592 (8.48%) passengers and 12 of 729 (1.65%) crew were ill. The predominant symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting.

The ship's staff implemented additional cleaning and disinfection procedures. Stool specimens were collected and tested positive for norovirus. Medical staff continued to monitor gastrointestinal illness cases; by the following voyage the number of reported cases of gastrointestinal illness returned to expected levels.