• A total of 89 people reported illness aboard the Rotterdam during the holiday voyage
• Holland America implemented comprehensive sanitization protocols upon return to Fort Lauderdale
• The CDC recorded 23 total gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships throughout 2025
• Experts confirm cruise ships account for only 1 percent of all reported norovirus outbreaks globally

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a norovirus outbreak aboard the Holland America Line cruise ship Rotterdam. The incident occurred during a voyage that spanned from December 28, 2025, to January 9, 2026. Official data indicates that 89 individuals reported illness during the trip, comprising 81 passengers and eight crew members out of a total guest count of 2,593. The primary symptoms reported by those affected were diarrhea and vomiting, consistent with gastrointestinal illness.

The cruise itinerary originated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and featured scheduled port calls in Curaçao, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Jamaica. In a statement regarding the situation, Holland America Line noted that the reported cases were predominantly mild and resolved quickly. Following the ship’s return to Fort Lauderdale on Friday, the cruise line conducted a comprehensive sanitization of the vessel, adhering to established CDC protocols to ensure the health and safety of guests and crew for future sailings.

This event contributes to the health statistics for the cruise industry in recent years. In 2025, the CDC logged 23 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships that met the criteria for public notification, 17 of which were attributed to norovirus. Despite the public association between cruises and such illnesses, experts emphasize that ships account for a minority of total cases. Sarah R. Michaels of Tulane University highlighted that cruise ships represent only about 1 percent of all reported norovirus outbreaks. The frequency of reports from the maritime industry is largely attributed to strict monitoring and mandatory reporting requirements compared to land-based communal settings like schools or nursing homes where outbreaks may go unrecorded.