Cruise Enthusiasm Persists Despite Norovirus Outbreak on Royal Caribbean Ship
Bob Pettit, an 87-year-old retiree and cruise enthusiast, is currently experiencing what he describes as the worst illness of his life while aboard the Royal Caribbean International ship Serenade of the Seas. Despite being one of nearly 100 passengers stricken with norovirus during their 13-day voyage through Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia, Pettit’s love for cruising remains undiminished. In fact, he and his son Josh are already contemplating their 26th cruise vacation once this challenging journey concludes. “I’m 87 years old, I’ve never been this sick in my life,” Pettit shared with NBC 6, describing the intensity of the illness that has prevented the father-son duo from fully enjoying their planned excursions. The cruise, which departed from San Diego, is scheduled to return to Miami on Thursday, with many passengers hoping the worst of the outbreak has passed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has officially classified the situation as an outbreak, with 94 passengers and four crew members reporting illness as of Wednesday. Pettit explained the progression of his symptoms, noting that what began as an upset stomach a few days into the cruise quickly evolved into something much more severe. “It really hits you hard. Violently,” he recounted. According to the CDC, typical norovirus symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches, and fever—all creating a miserable experience, especially in the confined environment of a cruise ship. Despite following recommended protocols like quarantining, the virus continued to spread throughout the vessel, highlighting the challenges of containing such illnesses in shared spaces.
Josh Pettit reflected on their experience and how it might influence their behavior on future cruises, emphasizing a newfound awareness of common touchpoints that can transmit the virus. “You’re touching chairs, salt and pepper shakers, and we’re definitely thinking more about that and trying to keep your hands clean before you touch your food,” he explained. This practical approach to prevention represents the attitude of many experienced cruisers who understand that such outbreaks, while unpleasant, are an occasional reality of cruise travel. The Pettits’ resilience in the face of this setback demonstrates why they’ve been drawn to cruise vacations repeatedly throughout Bob’s retirement years—each journey presents its own unique memories, even when challenges arise.
Royal Caribbean has responded to the outbreak with assurances that their crew is implementing comprehensive measures to contain the spread and support affected passengers. In their official statement, the cruise line emphasized, “The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority. To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.” Such protocols are standard procedure during outbreaks, as cruise lines have developed extensive experience handling similar situations over the years. The company’s response reflects the delicate balance between acknowledging passengers’ discomfort while maintaining confidence in their health protocols.
The occurrence of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships is not uncommon, with norovirus being particularly problematic due to its high contagiousness in enclosed environments where many people gather and share facilities. This year alone, the CDC has reported 19 gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruises, with 14 attributed specifically to norovirus. Royal Caribbean has faced three such norovirus outbreaks among their fleet, highlighting an industry-wide challenge rather than an issue specific to one cruise line. Public health experts regularly monitor these situations, working with cruise companies to implement preventative measures and response protocols that aim to minimize impact while ensuring passenger safety remains paramount throughout the journey.
Despite their unfortunate experience, the Pettit family maintains an optimistic outlook that exemplifies the enduring appeal of cruise vacations even when things don’t go as planned. “Hopefully, things have turned the corner here and things are getting better,” Josh remarked, reflecting the pair’s determination to salvage enjoyment from the remainder of their trip. Their willingness to look beyond this difficult experience and already contemplate a 26th cruise adventure speaks volumes about the unique attractions of cruise travel—the combination of convenience, variety of destinations, onboard amenities, and social opportunities that continue to draw millions of vacationers each year, including loyal repeat customers like Bob Pettit who find something special in life at sea. As their current voyage nears its conclusion in Miami, the Pettits’ story serves as a reminder that even when faced with the worst-case scenario of falling ill during a vacation, the allure of cruising remains powerful enough to bring travelers back time and again.
