Another day, another cruise ship filled with sick passengers. Last week, more than 180 people onboard Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas experienced a not-so-glamorous voyage filled with stomach cramps, diarrhea, and headaches, proving yet again that while the seas may be radiant, the passengers are anything but.
Let’s dig into the details of this unfortunate episode, which has become almost as predictable as bad buffet food on these massive floating cities.
The Radiance of the… Seasickness?
You’d think that the biggest danger on a cruise ship would be running out of shrimp cocktail or getting caught in a shuffleboard accident. But alas, on this particular Royal Caribbean cruise, it was a gastrointestinal illness that took center stage. Out of 2,172 passengers cruising the Canadian coast, 180 reported feeling ill. And it wasn’t just limited to passengers—three staff members were also hit with the sickness.
Imagine paying top dollar for an ocean view, only to spend half your trip curled up in your cabin bathroom. That’s a real “bon voyage” for you. And if you’re wondering what caused this wave of illness, look no further than an old nemesis: salmonella.
Cruise from Canada to… the Bathroom
The Radiance of the Seas embarked on a picturesque journey, starting on September 20. It was all smooth sailing—at least until it wasn’t. The cruise made its way from Vancouver, Canada, with a planned route toward Seaward, Alaska. By last Friday, the voyage had come to an end, but not without leaving a lasting, and rather pungent, impression on the unlucky passengers.
You see, nothing says luxury cruise like a bacterial outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) swiftly reported the culprit: salmonella. Yes, that lovely little bacterium that likes to show up uninvited to all the best parties—cruise ships included.
Royal Caribbean’s Response: “We Cleaned Up Real Good, Promise!”
In response to the outbreak, Royal Caribbean issued a statement assuring us that health and safety are their “top priority.” Well, I guess it’s a good thing it wasn’t their bottom priority, considering how many bottoms were, ahem, affected on this journey. The cruise liner boasted about their “rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.”
It seems these cleaning procedures didn’t quite do the trick this time around. After the outbreak, the cruise line increased cleaning and disinfection procedures, amped up their outbreak prevention plan, and collected stool samples for testing. And, as if passengers needed a reminder about what they were experiencing, onboard announcements kept them up to speed about the illness.
So, there you have it: nothing like a cruise vacation where your itinerary includes seasickness, stool samples, and sanitizing announcements over the PA system.
A Royal Caribbean Cruise Illness Outbreak? Again?
You may think this is an isolated incident, but oh, you would be wrong. The Radiance of the Seas is no stranger to such outbreaks. In April, it became the proud host of another gastro fest, where a good 70 passengers fell ill with norovirus. Because why have just one sickness onboard when you can have two in a year?
And it’s not just the Radiance. Of the ten cruise ship outbreaks reported in 2023, three have been on Royal Caribbean vessels. In May, yet another outbreak on one of their ships occurred, though the causative agent remained a mystery. Seven of the ten outbreaks this year were caused by norovirus, which is almost like salmonella’s slightly cooler cousin, always popping up on cruise ships and spreading its joy (or nausea) to all.
Why Do Cruise Ship Outbreaks Happen?
One might ask, “Why do these outbreaks keep happening on cruise ships?” Well, let’s break it down. You have thousands of people living in close quarters, many enjoying unlimited food buffets, shared pools, and busy common areas. Toss in some questionable handwashing habits, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for bacterial mayhem. Once a bug like salmonella or norovirus gets on board, it’s ready to party—spreading quickly and leaving a trail of queasy passengers in its wake.
Cruise lines, for their part, take a variety of preventive measures. They have outbreak response plans, strict sanitation protocols, and usually offer hand sanitizer at every turn. But with so many people onboard, it’s hard to completely stop an illness once it starts spreading.
Should You Sail the Seas or Stay Ashore?
If you’re reading this and have a cruise vacation planned soon, don’t cancel just yet. Cruise illnesses like salmonella and norovirus can happen, but they’re not as common as they might seem. The majority of cruises sail smoothly (pun intended) without incident. That said, it helps to be prepared: wash your hands, avoid raw or undercooked foods, and maybe pack some over-the-counter remedies just in case.
And hey, at the very least, you’ll come back with a story. Who knows—if you’re lucky, it might not involve gastrointestinal distress!
Cruising Into 2024: What’s Next for Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines are always working to improve their health and safety standards. But outbreaks like the one on the Radiance of the Seas remind us that no matter how high-end or well-prepared a cruise may be, there’s always a chance that something could go wrong.
Maybe the real adventure of a Royal Caribbean cruise isn’t the exotic destinations or on-board activities, but rather the gamble of “Will I make it back healthy?” There’s something almost thrilling about living on the edge like that. Or maybe that’s just the seasickness talking.
Know Before You Go
So, if you’re considering a Royal Caribbean cruise—or any cruise for that matter—make sure to pack not just your swimsuit, but also your sense of humor. Remember, a Royal Caribbean cruise illness outbreak is rare, but not impossible. And if the seas get a little less radiant and a little more salmonella-ish, well, you’ll have a unique travel tale to tell. Here’s to smooth sailing (and even smoother stomachs) on your next adventure.
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