Uncommon sickness on board? Nearly 30 crew members affected on a small cruise ship.
Almost 30 individuals fell ill with gastrointestinal issues aboard a small cruise ship operated by Sea Cloud Cruises.
Of the 93 crew members, 28 reported illness during a recent journey on the Sea Cloud Spirit, concluding on Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported. The likely cause was identified as ciguatera poisoning.
Symptoms included stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle pain.
No passengers experienced illness during the voyage. As of the latest update, the ship was located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as per CruiseMapper’s information.
“The Sea Cloud Spirit had crew members experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms during the previous cruise, which were determined to be non-contagious,” a spokesperson for Sea Cloud Cruises stated in an email to YSL News. “No guests were affected; the affected crew members have recovered and are ready to depart from San Juan as planned later today.”
What is ciguatera?
Ciguatera poisoning occurs when people consume fish contaminated by toxins from small algae found near coral reefs, as explained on the CDC’s website.
The CDC explains that it can be tricky to identify contaminated fish since the toxins do not alter the fish’s appearance, taste, or smell, and cooking does not eliminate them. Fish commonly associated with this issue include barracuda, moray eel, and sea bass.
Symptoms usually start within three to six hours after consumption but may take longer than a day to manifest. In addition to gastrointestinal issues, some people may also find themselves experiencing blurred vision, a metallic taste, itching, and other discomforts.
If you develop symptoms after eating fish, the CDC advises seeking prompt medical care.
While there is no cure, some symptoms can be alleviated and generally last only a few days. However, they can persist for months. Individuals who have experienced ciguatera poisoning “may want to avoid fish, nuts, alcohol, and caffeine for at least six months to prevent recurring symptoms,” according to the CDC.
This incident marks the first reported outbreak of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships in 2025 that met the CDC’s criteria for public notification. In 2024, the CDC documented 18 outbreaks, the majority caused by norovirus.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for YSL News based in Nashville.
