Cruise with more than 2,500 passengers hit by brutal outbreak of ‘rib-cracking’ stomach virus

Dozens of passengers aboard a cruise ship have been hit with an outbreak of ‘rib-cracking’ norovirus. 

Among 2,593 passengers and 1,005 staff aboard a Holland America Line cruise ship, 81 passengers and eight crew members reported diarrhea and vomiting consistent with norovirus, the CDC has reported. 

The affected passengers and staff became sick during the ship’s December 28-January 9 voyage, and the cruise notified the CDC of the outbreak on January 8, according to the CDC’s report on the situation. 

The outbreak was on the cruise line’s Rotterdam ship. 

According to CruiseMapper, the vessel departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and had stops scheduled in Curaçao, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jamaica and other destinations. 

The CDC noted since the outbreak, the cruise line has increased cleaning and disinfection procedures. 

Holland America Line also collected stool specimens from sickened individuals and isolated sick passengers and crew. 

The outbreak comes amid a surge of winter illnesses, including norovirus. 

The latest CDC data, from December 20, shows 12 percent of tests came back positive that week, roughly in line from the week prior and up from 10 percent during the week of December 6. 

But the true number of infected Americans is likely much higher, as most people don’t get tested and the illness affects more than 20 million people each year. 

The CDC estimates there are 2,500 outbreaks in the US every year. An outbreak is defined as when two or more similar illnesses come from a common exposure that is either ‘suspected or laboratory-confirmed to be caused by norovirus,’ according to the agency. 

CDC data shows between August 1 and December 11, 2025, there were 268 outbreaks. During the same period last season, there were 554.  

A Holland America Line spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Monday that ‘during its previous voyage, a number of guests onboard Rotterdam reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness.’

The spokesperson added: ‘The cases were mostly mild and quickly resolved. 

‘The health of our guests and crew is a top priority, and consistent with CDC protocols, we conducted a comprehensive sanitization of the ship when the cruise ended Friday in Fort Lauderdale.’ 

Norovirus infects around 21 million Americans annually and sends around 2 million to their doctor’s offices or urgent care. 

It causes severe diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to life-threatening dehydration. It spreads through contact with germs from an infected person’s vomit or feces, contaminated food, shared utensils, or surfaces they’ve touched.

While most people recover within a few days, the virus kills around 900 people every year, mostly adults 65 and up. 

Outbreaks are most common in the winter due to a jump in the number of people gathering in groups for holiday festivities, traveling, and staying warm indoors, where pathogens can spread easily. 

Symptoms of norovirus, which include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, come on quickly, within 12 to 48 hours of exposure. The diarrhea and vomiting can be so forceful it can may crack or break ribs.

Dehydration is a major concern. Frequent vomiting and diarrhea can quickly cause the body to lose fluids and electrolytes, which can lead to dangerously low blood pressure, reduced blood flow to vital organs, and an electrolyte imbalance that may harm the heart and muscles.

Electrolyte imbalances can also result in seizures and, in some cases, loss of consciousness.

Hand sanitizers alone can’t kill virus particles on the skin, which is why doctors strongly recommend washing one’s hands often.

The lowest figures reported this year were from the week of August 9, during which 6.5 percent of tests were positive. 

Norovirus tests are usually done by looking at stool or vomit samples. However, tests are only ordered based on symptoms, and mild cases rarely go reported, making actual figures likely much higher.