Investigation Update on the Royal Princess
Investigation Update - March 24, 2004
- Princess Cruises reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal (GI) illness on the ship,
Royal Princess, for the voyage completed on March 25, 2004 (sailing dates: 3/8-3/25/2004) in Port
Everglades, Florida.
- On March 22, Princess Cruises contacted CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to report that an
unusual number of Royal Princess passengers were experiencing GI illness.
On March 24,
the ship’s medical staff reported that 46 of 1129 (4.07%) passengers and 12 of 539 (2.23%) crew members
were ill. Predominant symptoms were diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
- The vessel underwent extensive cleaning and disinfection, and Princess Cruises provided special daily
reports to VSP; no significant levels of GI illnesses were reported. Stool specimens were collected; test
results were negative for norovirus and the causative agent is unknown.