Over 150 Passengers and Crew Sickened by Norovirus on Star Princess Cruise

The outbreak occurred during a Caribbean voyage from March 7 to March 14, according to the CDC.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 12:39am

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More than 150 people onboard a Princess Cruises ship became ill with norovirus during a Caribbean voyage this week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak occurred aboard the Star Princess, with 104 passengers and 49 crew members reporting symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting.

Why it matters

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that can spread quickly in close quarters like cruise ships. Outbreaks on cruise ships are closely monitored by health officials, as they can impact the health and safety of thousands of passengers and crew.

The details

In response to the outbreak, Princess Cruises increased cleaning and disinfection procedures, isolated sick passengers and crew members, and collected stool samples for testing. The ship underwent comprehensive cleaning before departing on its next voyage.

  • The outbreak occurred during a voyage from March 7 to March 14, 2026.
  • The outbreak was reported to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program on March 11, 2026.
  • The Star Princess returned to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on March 14, 2026 for cleaning before its next voyage.

The players

Princess Cruises

The cruise line that operates the Star Princess ship.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The U.S. federal agency that monitors illness outbreaks, including on cruise ships.

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What they’re saying

“'A limited number of individuals reported mild gastrointestinal illness during the March 7 Star Princess voyage from Ft. Lauderdale. We quickly disinfected every area of the ship and added extra sanitizing throughout the voyage. We also separated anyone feeling unwell so they could rest comfortably in private – just an added precaution to help keep the rest of our guests and crew feeling their best.'”

— Princess Cruises

What’s next

The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program is conducting an environmental assessment and outbreak investigation to help the Star Princess control the spread of the illness.

The takeaway

This norovirus outbreak on the Star Princess cruise highlights the ongoing challenges cruise lines face in preventing and containing highly contagious illnesses that can spread rapidly among passengers and crew in close quarters. Proper sanitation, isolation, and reporting procedures are crucial to mitigate the impact of such outbreaks.