Outbreak Hits Guests and Crew on Cunard’s Iconic Ocean Liner
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released details about the recent outbreak on Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2.
The ship is currently wrapping up a round-trip trans-Atlantic cruise out of Southampton, England.
This voyage departed on March 8, 2025, making nine stops in eight countries, including the United States, St Maarten, St Kitts, and the British Virgin Islands.
Unfortunately, just 10 days into the 29-night cruise, both guests and crew reported having symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness. The outbreak was reported to the CDC on March 18, 2025.
Having departed from New York on March 15, the ship was on its way to Philipsburg in St Maarten when the outbreak occurred.
Reported symptoms included diarrhea and vomiting, and in response, stool specimens were collected for testing. Additionally, all of those with symptoms were isolated and sanitation efforts were increased by the crew.
The CDC has confirmed that the gastrointestinal illness was Norovirus, which affected 224 passengers (8.8%) and 17 (1.4%) crew. These numbers reflect all confirmed cases throughout the duration of the cruise.
This vessel has a 2,695 guest capacity and a 1,253 crew capacity, but on this nearly month-long cruise, only 2,538 passengers and 1,232 crew were present.
It is a CDC requirement that any and all vessels operating in the United States have to report outbreaks when reported cases involve more than 3% of the crew or passengers onboard. Even if ship departs from another country, if it stops in the US this is a requirement.
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The 149,215 gross ton Queen Mary 2 had just made a stop in the US before the outbreak began, so Carnival-owned Cunard quickly submitted the report after learning about the situation.
As an extra measure, during outbreaks like this cruise lines correspond directly with the VSP so they can ensure sanitation and cleaning procedures are adequate to help prevent the illness from being spread.
The ship arrived in St Maarten on March 19, which is when the crew informed all passengers that the vessel would be receiving a deep cleaning while at the next port of call.
When stopping in Barbados on March 22, Queen Mary 2 underwent intensive sanitation from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. while most passengers were off exploring the tropical destination.
This effort was so extensive that it was suggested any guests who would be onboard during this time should consider vacating their cabins if possible.
In a letter from the cruise line, they detailed, “If you are unable to leave the ship, please vacate your stateroom when requested and make yourself comfortable in one of the available areas such as Golden Lion Pub, Sir Samuel’s and Pavilion Pool.”
They also informed guests that if they were isolated due to the outbreak, they should stay in their cabins. Passengers will disembark from Queen Mary 2 this weekend, thus ending yet another cruise affected by Norovirus.
Is 2025 the Year of Getting Sick on Cruises?
While it is quite rare to get something as serious as Norovirus on a cruise ship, the cruising industry in 2025 is not off to the best start.
In 2024, the CDC reported a total of 16 gastrointestinal outbreaks — tying with 2012 for the most to happen in a single year. So far, there have been 10 outbreaks just four months into 2025.
In January, affected ships included Holland America Line’s Volendam, Viking Ocean Cruise’s Viking Mars, and Princess Cruise’s Coral Princess.
Then in February, it was Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas, Holland America Line’s Rotterdam and Eurodam, and yet again Princess Cruise’s Coral Princess.
Finally, in March 2025, there was one more on Holland America Line’s Rotterdam, a new one being reported on Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Encore, and of course, the one on Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2.
While it is the first this year, this recent outbreak on Queen Mary 2 comes just shortly after the ship had two outbreaks in a single month.
In December 2024, the ship saw two back-to-back voyages with Norovirus — and hopefully, this third one is its last for a while.
With peak outbreak times for this particular virus tending to be between October and April, there is a good chance we will see fewer of these occurrences heading into the summer.
Outbreak Hits Guests and Crew on Cunard’s Iconic Ocean Liner