A recent outbreak of norovirus on a Holland America Line cruise ship has impacted 60 people.

Onboard the Volendam, which carried 1,369 passengers, 53 guests and seven crew members reported experiencing illness during the voyage. Symptoms typically included diarrhea and vomiting, as highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The cruise set off from Miami on January 4, with stops planned in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Barbados, and other locations, as per information from CruiseMapper.

A spokesperson for the cruise line indicated that the reported illnesses were mostly mild and resolved quickly.

“We have initiated additional cleaning protocols in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to minimize the risk of further infections, including constant sanitization of the ship,” the representative stated in an email to YSL News. Furthermore, those who were unwell among the passengers and crew were isolated, along with other precautions recommended by the CDC.

This event marks the fourth instance of a norovirus outbreak aboard Holland America ships since early December, following similar occurrences on the Eurodam, Rotterdam, and Zuiderdam. Other cruise lines, including Cunard Line and Princess Cruises, have also faced outbreaks recently.

Thus far this year, the CDC has reported three outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships that necessitated public alerts. These incidents follow a total of 18 reported outbreaks in 2024, most linked to norovirus. The health agency has noted that such outbreaks tend to be more frequent during the colder winter months.

Dr. Dean Winslow, a professor of medicine and pediatrics at Stanford Medicine, explained to YSL News earlier this month that norovirus outbreaks typically occur in environments where people gather, particularly where food and drink are served—like cruise ships, universities, nursing homes, and hospitals.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter based in Nashville.