Cruise Ships Seeing Record Number of Outbreaks

Above, bathers in the pool area on a cruise to the Bahamas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following is why I feel having mega cruise ships is a lousy idea, especially since COVID.

I have been on three cruises and I have contracted a virus during two of them. Luckily, they were relatively minor. 

Taking a cruise may seem like a great idea, but having thousands of people in a limited amount of space is bound to spread illnesses. Frankly, cruise ships are floating petri dishes.

This year has been a record year for outbreaks.

According to SFGate:

Cruise ships are seeing a record year for outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses. So far, there have been 20 outbreaks on the vessels, mostly of norovirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last year, which was also a record year for outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness, there were 18.

The latest outbreak involved the Oceania Insignia of Oceania Cruises on an 11-day (October 16-27) Montreal to Boston cruise, the CDC reported. The outbreak affected 75 people: 74 passengers out of 637 passengers (11.6%) and 1 crew member out of 391 (0.3%). Those afflicted saw symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. 

To read more, go here.