A second norovirus outbreak in roughly a month sickened nearly 20 passengers aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird, a National Geographic–Lindblad Alaska cruise. The CDC says 19 guests and one crew member reported illness on a voyage that ended June 30, with
On a National Geographic–Lindblad Alaska cruise, the illness didn’t wait long to return.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a second norovirus outbreak in about a month sickened nearly 20 people aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird. During a voyage that ended on June 30, 19 guests and one crew member—out of 68 guests sailing—reported being ill. The main symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting.
The ship is currently operating Alaska voyages, according to CruiseMapper.
The CDC says the cruise company responded with heightened disinfection and cleaning measures, and it isolated sick passengers and employees. The agency also said the Vessel Sanitation Program is remotely monitoring the situation. including reviewing the ship’s outbreak response and sanitation procedures.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The outbreak follows an earlier round of sickness aboard the same vessel. The CDC said that during a cruise that ended May 31, a norovirus outbreak sickened a dozen people. In early June. the VSP conducted a field response for an environmental assessment and outbreak investigation to assist the ship in controlling the outbreak on two additional voyages because cases continued.
This year’s record underscores how often stomach flu–type outbreaks surface at sea. The CDC has logged six outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruises that met its threshold for public notification this year. Two were caused by E. coli, while the rest were due to norovirus.
Last year, the CDC logged 23 outbreaks, with 18 caused by norovirus. The illness caused 15 of 18 outbreaks in 2024. Norovirus is commonly associated with cruise ships, but those cases account for only 1% of reported outbreaks.
“There’s a lot of outbreaks that are often taking place within the community. and oftentimes we don’t know that they’re happening. ” Sarah R. Michaels. an assistant professor at Tulane University’s Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. previously told the outlet. “Really. when we have these areas where people … are in really close contact. things like day care facilities. nursing homes and cruise ships. it’s more likely (to be) diagnosed. reported and brought to our attention.”.
For now, the Sea Bird remains in service on Alaska itineraries while the CDC continues remote monitoring and review of its sanitation procedures.
norovirus outbreak National Geographic Sea Bird Lindblad Alaska cruise CDC Vessel Sanitation Program stomach flu disinfection vomiting diarrhea