Cunard Line’s iconic Queen Mary 2 is the latest cruise ship to report a gastrointestinal illness outbreak, with over 100 individuals affected during its current transatlantic voyage. The outbreak was officially reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on December 19, 2024.
The ship, carrying 2,430 passengers and 1,237 crew members, departed from Southampton, England, on December 14 and is scheduled to arrive in New York City on December 21. The CDC confirmed that 100 passengers (4.16% of guests) and seven crew members (0.57% of staff) had reported symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
Cunard Line responded by implementing enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures in accordance with its outbreak prevention and response protocols. Ill passengers and crew have been isolated to prevent further spread, and stool samples have been collected to identify the causative agent. However, the exact cause of the outbreak remains unknown at this time.
The outbreak comes as Queen Mary 2 is in the middle of a longer holiday itinerary, including a 28-night Caribbean sailing. Passengers disembarking in New York City for the next leg may be affected if containment efforts are insufficient. Cunard has not yet announced whether all passengers must disembark in New York for a deeper vessel cleaning.
The CDC noted that gastrointestinal illnesses such as acute gastroenteritis (AGE) are highly contagious and often caused by norovirus. Contamination via food, water, or surfaces is common, making cruise ships particularly vulnerable. Symptoms typically manifest within 12 to 48 hours after exposure and can last up to three days, with isolation recommended for at least 48 hours after recovery.
This is not Queen Mary 2’s first experience with illness outbreaks. In 2012, 205 passengers were affected by a similar spread during a Christmas cruise. The current outbreak also follows recent reports of norovirus incidents aboard other ships, including Holland America Line’s Rotterdam and Zuiderdam earlier this month.
The CDC is monitoring the situation remotely, reviewing sanitation procedures and outbreak responses aboard Queen Mary 2. Passengers are advised to report symptoms to onboard medical staff promptly and to practice good hygiene to reduce the risk of transmission.
