MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) – Nearly 100 Caribbean cruise ship docked with norovirus in Florida on Thursday.
After a nearly two weeks of travel from San Diego, the sea serenade was docked into Port Miami.
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The outbreak of norovirus on the ship was first reported to the CDC’s Ship Sanitation Program on Sunday, September 28th.
The CDC’s latest report states that 94 (5%) of the 1,874 passengers have been ill during the voyage. The disease affected four of the 883 crew, or 0.5%. Most affected people reported experiencing diarrhea and vomiting.
NBC affiliate WTVJ spoke with some of its passengers as they left the boat Thursday.
One passenger, Margie, said she knew something was wrong when she “begin to find it really funny” in her stomach. However, her symptoms did not last very long.
“It only lasted 36-48 hours,” Margie said. “They gave you free room service and they took care of you, so it was all good.”
Other passengers saw an increase in hygiene measures and noted that food was brought in instead of selfish options, and that all plates, silverware and seasonings were off limits.
“When I say cleaning, they start from the bottom and work to the top, and you’ll see them coming down again.
The majority of passengers were relatively unaffected. But it wasn’t smooth sailing for anyone.
Passenger Bob Pettit said, “I’m 87. I’ve never been more sick in my life.”
As the crew disembarked on Thursday, members of the crew began full sanitation of the ship. The ship was scheduled to depart for Panama on a seven-day cruise later Thursday.
