Investigation Update on the Norwegian Crown
Investigation Update - March 24, 2004
- Norwegian Cruise Line reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal (GI) illness on the
ship, Norwegian Crown, for the cruise completed on March 22, 2004 (sailing dates: 3/7-3/22/2004) in Miami,
Florida.
- On March 20, Norwegian Cruise Line contacted CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to report
that an unusual number of Norwegian Crown passengers were experiencing GI illness. At 10:40 a.m. EST on
March 20, the ship’s medical staff reported that 77 of 984 (7.82%) passengers and 10 of 541 (1.85%) crew
members were ill. The predominant symptom was diarrhea.
- The vessel underwent extensive cleaning and disinfection, and lab specimens
were submitted. Norwegian Cruise Lines notified all passengers arriving for the
next cruise (sailing dates: 3/22-4/4/2004) of the elevated levels of GI illness
during the previous voyage; all passengers chose to sail. Norwegian Cruise Line
provided daily reports to VSP throughout the next voyage and reported elevated levels of GI
illnesses.