Terrifying Salmonella Outbreak Hits Royal Caribbean Cruise: 180 Passengers and Three Crewmembers Fall Sick

Passengers and crew aboard Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas were left reeling after a shocking salmonella outbreak sickened many on board.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a staggering 180 of the 2,172 passengers and three of the 894 crew members were affected, with distressing symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headaches, and muscle aches.

In a concerning update, the CDC noted that Royal Caribbean International and its crew acted swiftly by notifying those on board about the outbreak, promoting good hygiene practices, and ramping up cleaning and disinfection efforts. Crew members were also reported to be collecting stool samples from affected individuals for testing, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.

The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) is remotely monitoring the unfolding crisis and evaluating the ship’s response to this alarming outbreak. The cruise, which took place from Vancouver to Alaska between September 20th and September 27th, has raised significant concerns about the safety and well-being of passengers.

In response to the outbreak, a Royal Caribbean representative reassured the public that everything was under control.

“The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority,” the statement read. They emphasized that rigorous cleaning procedures are in place, exceeding public health guidelines.

This salmonella outbreak marks the 10th instance of gastrointestinal illness documented on cruises by the CDC in 2024.  Alarmingly, of the nine previous incidents, seven were caused by norovirus, one by E. coli, and one remains unidentified.  Earlier in September, over 100 passengers on P&O Cruises’ Arcadia ship also fell ill due to a norovirus outbreak, with a notable 128 of 1,959 passengers and 19 of 799 crew members reporting symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.