Latest news with #GrandWorldVoyage
USA Today
18-05-2025
- USA Today
What it's really like to cruise around the world for 124 days: 'Home away from home'
What it's really like to cruise around the world for 124 days: 'Home away from home' Show Caption Hide Caption Real ID explained: what it is, why it matters, and how to get yours Real ID requirements: everything you need to know about getting compliant for travel and ID. Repeat passengers make up half of the Grand World Voyage clientele, drawn to the ever-changing itineraries and onboard community. While some passengers experience homesickness or challenges adjusting to smaller living quarters, many appreciate the convenience and stress-free lifestyle. For most travelers, a world cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Not for James and Diane Brill. The veteran cruisers just completed their seventh sailing around the globe – more than two cumulative years living at sea, around 140 countries visited and no plans to slow down. Retirees based in Florida, the Brills, both 75, love the cruising lifestyle and especially long voyages. This was the couple's fifth time on Holland America Line's Grand World Voyage, and they're already planning to join the 2026 sailing for 133 days. "We wouldn't keep coming back if we didn't like it so much," James Brill said. Before that, they sailed around the world twice with Princess Cruises. The line's Zuiderdam ship was their home for the past four months for its 2025 Grand World Voyage. In 124 days, the 1,964-passenger vessel traveled to 49 ports of call in 34 countries across six continents. They visited Sri Lanka, Rapa Nui and the Great Barrier Reef, to name a few. Cruise cabin math: When booking two rooms makes more sense than one "We love to see in the world, we love to see the different cultures, we love the crew and the ports of call to get off," said Brill about why they keep returning to the Grand World Voyage. "Nobody is pestering me – no doctor's appointments, no meetings." It's all about seeing the world. For these passengers, Holland America Line's Grand World Voyages seamlessly combine their love of travel with the ease and comforts that come with cruising. For the several months at sea, passengers get to forgo responsibilities like laundry, cooking, cleaning and coordinating logistics, yet wake up in a new destination, including some that are hard to reach on your own. There's a reason why repeat passengers make up half of Grand World Voyages. Here's what it's like to sail on a Grand World Voyage with Holland America. Seeing the world, made easy Living out at sea for a third of the year, life aboard the Grand World Voyages varies from your long weekend sailing down to the Caribbean. From all the bucket list destinations to the relationships that are built and the slew of activities to keep guests engaged onboard, this is not your average cruise. Each year, the itinerary of the globe-spanning sailing looks different – one of the reasons travelers keep coming back. At the end of each Grand World Voyage, guests are invited to complete a survey to share feedback on future destinations they'd like to visit, which the cruise line works to incorporate into the next one. The 2027 Grand World Voyage will return to the classic circumnavigation route going west to Australia, through Southeast Asia, below South Africa and up the Atlantic. Mari Subbiah and Viji Mari, a couple from Houston, joined their first World Grand Voyage in 2023 and attended a segment of 2025's. Since that first trip, the couple has been cruising nearly nonstop for 30 months after Mari quit his fast-paced tech job in Oct. 2022 – the two set out to travel as much as possible while still young. Such extensive travel and visiting destinations across Asia and Africa, where Mari, 51, had never been before, has given him a deeper sense of gratitude along with a more open mind. "Anybody who has an opportunity should do it," said Mari. "No matter what you think, it will change your perspective meeting so many people." From time to time, Mari does get homesick after cruising for long periods of time. For Subbiah, 41, who said she can't sit still in one place for long, the Grand World Voyages makes it easy to stay on the move. "The cruise is the perfect place for me, to know every day is a different port in a different country with different people," she said. For her, cruising is the best method to see the world. "Packing, unpacking, moving and then finding or researching where to go eat food – there is no way to cover 130 countries well by ourselves," she said. "It's logistically impossible," Mari added. Still, there are some comforts to give up for life on the ship. Living in small quarters for a prolonged period of time has been a "mental" adjustment for Mari, compared to the space of his home in Texas. Building a life at sea Living on a ship for a prolonged period might sound boring to some, but the Grand World Voyages features an exhaustive list of experiences to keep passengers occupied. "Some sea days are busier than port days," Subbiah said. Throughout the day, even when the ship is in a port of call, activities are taking place all over the vessel and there's a myriad of themed parties, like a masquerade ball. Diane Brill joined the mahjong group, but there's also line dancing, pickleball, Hebrew classes and more to choose from. Guests have even made suggestions based on their interests that have come to fruition, such as a Zumba dancing group. These opportunities keep passengers engaged and productive on such a long trip, but also can spark social connections. Unlike a shorter cruise, when people are just focused on making the most of their vacation, the Grand Voyage guests are seeking more of a community. "Here, they want to engage and share their life and experiences," said Mari. Story continues below. Cruisers and crew also naturally foster a tight-knit community, to the point where they add each other on Facebook and build authentic friendships. In fact, that's how Mari and Subbiah were convinced to join the Grand World Voyage in the first place. They had met and grew close to Mila Mawikere Castellon, the cruise line's assistant hotel general manager on a circumnavigation of Australia, who told them she was working the extended sailing. "I said, okay, Mila is there, let's do it," said Mari. To deepen guests' connection to each destination, Holland hosts culturally immersive events – such as a professor lecturing on the history of Pompeii while in Naples, or a Polynesian cultural ambassador coming aboard during voyages through Oceania. Sail-away parties are often held when departing destinations, like a variety of personal pizzas being served while leaving Naples, Italy. In Barcelona, the Zuiderdam met with the Volendam, which was doing the Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole, and both ships threw a party. The cruise line also invites culinary ambassadors for relevant segments of the Grand World Voyage. Seattle-based chef with Italian roots Ethan Stowell boarded the Zuiderdam for Naples, Rome and Sardinia, hosting a pasta cooking demonstration and curated course menu in the specialty restaurant. Unlike indulging for a week on regular vacations, the cruise's generous food options – though often delicious – can be a bit overwhelming for some passengers after a few months. A few choose to cut out bread, while others miss the ability to choose specific ingredients, such as organic produce. A home away from home It's hard for most passengers to complain about the conveniences of living on a cruise ship. "The cruise life is tension-free, worry-free, I don't need to worry about what to cook or clean my house," said Subbiah. "When we are going out and come back, my room is ready, bed is ready, bathroom is ready. It's a completely different life (from) the outside world." Even though repeat passengers often have their own homes, the Grand World Voyages call to them. Some call it their home away from home, with the crew as their second family. Many end up creating their daily routine. They discover their go-to spots around the ship, like which nook they like to read at or bar to work remotely from. Mari and Subbiah have their favorite table in the dining room, where they often go to hang out, people watch and chat with the staff or other guests – even if they're not hungry. It helps them relax, but is also a way to get some breathing space from their stateroom. At the end of the day, being able to travel the world and connect with those from other cultures – and each other – is worth it. For the Brills, home is wherever the two of them are, and the long cruise fosters quality time with one another. "We spend a lot of time together, that's what it's all about for me," said Brill. "And what's around the corner."
Cision Canada
14-05-2025
- Cision Canada
Holland America Line's Epic 2027 Grand Voyages Officially Open for Booking
Overnight stays, rare ports and new overland tours highlight 129-day world cruise and 70-day exploration of South America and Antarctica SEATTLE, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ -- Today, following a successful pre-sale period, Holland America Line officially opened bookings for its two 2027 Grand Voyages. Both the 2027 Grand World Voyage and the 2027 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage, departing in January 2027, will provide guests access to rare ports of call and the opportunity to connect with sought-after destinations through ample overnight and extended calls, all while enjoying the elevated onboard experience for which Grand Voyages are known. "We know cruisers who book Grand Voyages are looking for unique experiences — and the strong interest we've seen in the pre-sale period shows us our guests are excited about what we've designed for them in 2027," said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and revenue planning for Holland America Line. "For example, we built in overnight stays in destinations like Bordeaux — with the city center only accessible via smaller ships like Volendam — as well as multi-night stays in vibrant cities like Cape Town and Buenos Aires." Guests sailing on the 2027 Grand World Voyage aboard Volendam will enjoy overnight or multi-night calls in seven destinations, including European gems Bordeaux, France, and Copenhagen, Denmark. The cruise also features several late-night calls, including a visit to Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Those sailing on the 2027 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage aboard Zaandam can look forward to overnight or multi-night calls in five destinations, including Callao (Lima), Peru — the gateway to Machu Picchu — as well as cities like Montevideo, Uruguay, and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Overland Adventures Offer Memorable Experiences For travelers looking to check off even more bucket-list items, guests on 2027 Grand Voyages can select from a wide range of multi-day overland tours to more authentically connect with a destination. One option on the 2027 Grand World Voyage is a seven-day tour departing from Phuket, Thailand, that heads to India, taking travelers up close to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World — the Taj Mahal — before rejoining the ship in Malé. Guests on both the 2027 Grand World Voyage and Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage can opt to immerse themselves in nature and venture onto a four-day Galapagos Islands overland tour, taking in pristine scenery and unparalleled wildlife, like iconic giant tortoises, as well as blue-footed boobies, Sally Lightfoot crabs, marine iguanas, frigatebirds and more. 2027 Grand World Voyage Highlights — Volendam 129-day voyage; sails roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, departing Jan. 5, 2027. Heads south along the west coast of South America, crossing the equator and sailing to Easter Island before traversing the islands of the South Pacific en route to Australia. Explores Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka before sailing south around the Cape of Good Hope and north to St. Helena and Ascension Island, as well as up the west coast of Africa. Meanders through Europe, including overnight calls at Bordeaux and Copenhagen before an Atlantic Ocean crossing. 53 total ports in 28 countries across six continents. Seven overnight stays: Copenhagen; Bordeaux; Cape Town, South Africa; Bali, Indonesia; Sydney, Australia; Papeete, French Polynesia; and Callao (Lima). Access to 81 UNESCO sites including the Taj Mahal, Westminster Abbey, Mont-Saint-Michel and the Great Barrier Reef. Memorable Moments: Chances to explore historic and remote Jamestown, St. Helena, and Georgetown, Ascension Island; a stop in Bora Bora — often called the "Pearl of the South Pacific"; and an overnight at Bordeaux paired with scenic cruising of the Gironde estuary. 2027 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage Highlights — Zaandam 70-day voyage; sails roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, departing Jan. 3, 2027. Heads south to transit the Panama Canal before crossing the equator, then sails along South America's west coast. Calls at ports in the Cayman Islands, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina and includes several days of scenic cruising through Chile's majestic fjords and glaciers. Crosses the Drake Passage before a four-day scenic cruising Antarctic Experience, then sails north, calling at ports in the Falklands, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and French Guinea along South America's east coast before a Caribbean sojourn en route back to Fort Lauderdale. 31 total ports in 13 countries across two continents. Five overnight stays: Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama; Callao (Lima); Montevideo; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Rio de Janeiro. Access to 28 UNESCO sites including Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. Memorable Moments: Enjoy an overnight call at Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay; spend time at fabled Isla Robinson Crusoe; enjoy other-worldly scenic cruising in 10 destinations, including the Pio XI Glacier and the Beagle Channel. Early Booking Bonus Benefits For a limited time, guests who book the 129-day Grand World Voyage and 70-day Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage receive up to $2,000 USD in onboard credit per guest, a 3% pay-in-full discount, a free Wi-Fi Surf package and more. Additional perks for all guests who book early include a $500 USD air credit per person if booked through Flight Ease and complimentary roundtrip airport transfers to and from the Fort Lauderdale airport. Additional extras can include complimentary luggage delivery service to and from the Fort Lauderdale airport, prepaid crew appreciation and laundry and drycleaning service when booking certain stateroom categories. Terms and conditions apply. A Grand Onboard Experience On each Grand Voyage, Holland America Line provides gracious service, superior amenities and unexpected experiences. Guests can relax during leisurely days at sea, taking advantage of the extra time to participate in shipboard activities. Shipboard entertainment shines in the evening with local cultural performers and special guest headliners. Festive gala balls and dressy nights create memorable moments, along with a Captain's Grand Voyage Dinner. Dining is elevated to a new level on each Grand Voyage with menus that change daily and are seldom repeated, featuring local ingredients and regional cuisine. For more information about other Holland America Line voyages, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit Holland America Line has been exploring the world for more than 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to the destinations. Offering a perfectly-sized ship experience, its fleet of 11 vessels visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years — longer than any other cruise line. Savour the Journey isn't just a tagline, it's a reinforcement that the cruise line provides experiences too good to hurry through, connecting travelers to the world and each other. Award-winning enrichment programming, entertainment and cuisine that brings each locale on board, including a revolutionary Global Fresh Fish Program, put Holland America Line at the forefront of premium cruising.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Holland America Line's Epic 2027 Grand Voyages Officially Open for Booking
Overnight stays, rare ports and new overland tours highlight 129-day world cruise and 70-day exploration of South America and Antarctica SEATTLE, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ -- Today, following a successful pre-sale period, Holland America Line officially opened bookings for its two 2027 Grand Voyages. Both the 2027 Grand World Voyage and the 2027 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage, departing in January 2027, will provide guests access to rare ports of call and the opportunity to connect with sought-after destinations through ample overnight and extended calls, all while enjoying the elevated onboard experience for which Grand Voyages are known. "We know cruisers who book Grand Voyages are looking for unique experiences — and the strong interest we've seen in the pre-sale period shows us our guests are excited about what we've designed for them in 2027," said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and revenue planning for Holland America Line. "For example, we built in overnight stays in destinations like Bordeaux — with the city center only accessible via smaller ships like Volendam — as well as multi-night stays in vibrant cities like Cape Town and Buenos Aires." Guests sailing on the 2027 Grand World Voyage aboard Volendam will enjoy overnight or multi-night calls in seven destinations, including European gems Bordeaux, France, and Copenhagen, Denmark. The cruise also features several late-night calls, including a visit to Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Those sailing on the 2027 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage aboard Zaandam can look forward to overnight or multi-night calls in five destinations, including Callao (Lima), Peru — the gateway to Machu Picchu — as well as cities like Montevideo, Uruguay, and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Overland Adventures Offer Memorable Experiences For travelers looking to check off even more bucket-list items, guests on 2027 Grand Voyages can select from a wide range of multi-day overland tours to more authentically connect with a destination. One option on the 2027 Grand World Voyage is a seven-day tour departing from Phuket, Thailand, that heads to India, taking travelers up close to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World — the Taj Mahal — before rejoining the ship in Malé. Guests on both the 2027 Grand World Voyage and Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage can opt to immerse themselves in nature and venture onto a four-day Galapagos Islands overland tour, taking in pristine scenery and unparalleled wildlife, like iconic giant tortoises, as well as blue-footed boobies, Sally Lightfoot crabs, marine iguanas, frigatebirds and more. 2027 Grand World Voyage Highlights — Volendam 129-day voyage; sails roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, departing Jan. 5, 2027. Heads south along the west coast of South America, crossing the equator and sailing to Easter Island before traversing the islands of the South Pacific en route to Australia. Explores Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka before sailing south around the Cape of Good Hope and north to St. Helena and Ascension Island, as well as up the west coast of Africa. Meanders through Europe, including overnight calls at Bordeaux and Copenhagen before an Atlantic Ocean crossing. 53 total ports in 28 countries across six continents. Seven overnight stays: Copenhagen; Bordeaux; Cape Town, South Africa; Bali, Indonesia; Sydney, Australia; Papeete, French Polynesia; and Callao (Lima). Access to 81 UNESCO sites including the Taj Mahal, Westminster Abbey, Mont-Saint-Michel and the Great Barrier Reef. Memorable Moments: Chances to explore historic and remote Jamestown, St. Helena, and Georgetown, Ascension Island; a stop in Bora Bora — often called the "Pearl of the South Pacific"; and an overnight at Bordeaux paired with scenic cruising of the Gironde estuary. 2027 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage Highlights — Zaandam 70-day voyage; sails roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, departing Jan. 3, 2027. Heads south to transit the Panama Canal before crossing the equator, then sails along South America's west coast. Calls at ports in the Cayman Islands, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina and includes several days of scenic cruising through Chile's majestic fjords and glaciers. Crosses the Drake Passage before a four-day scenic cruising Antarctic Experience, then sails north, calling at ports in the Falklands, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and French Guinea along South America's east coast before a Caribbean sojourn en route back to Fort Lauderdale. 31 total ports in 13 countries across two continents. Five overnight stays: Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama; Callao (Lima); Montevideo; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Rio de Janeiro. Access to 28 UNESCO sites including Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. Memorable Moments: Enjoy an overnight call at Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay; spend time at fabled Isla Robinson Crusoe; enjoy other-worldly scenic cruising in 10 destinations, including the Pio XI Glacier and the Beagle Channel. Early Booking Bonus Benefits For a limited time, guests who book the 129-day Grand World Voyage and 70-day Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage receive up to $2,000 USD in onboard credit per guest, a 3% pay-in-full discount, a free Wi-Fi Surf package and more. Additional perks for all guests who book early include a $500 USD air credit per person if booked through Flight Ease and complimentary roundtrip airport transfers to and from the Fort Lauderdale airport. Additional extras can include complimentary luggage delivery service to and from the Fort Lauderdale airport, prepaid crew appreciation and laundry and drycleaning service when booking certain stateroom categories. Terms and conditions apply. A Grand Onboard Experience On each Grand Voyage, Holland America Line provides gracious service, superior amenities and unexpected experiences. Guests can relax during leisurely days at sea, taking advantage of the extra time to participate in shipboard activities. Shipboard entertainment shines in the evening with local cultural performers and special guest headliners. Festive gala balls and dressy nights create memorable moments, along with a Captain's Grand Voyage Dinner. Dining is elevated to a new level on each Grand Voyage with menus that change daily and are seldom repeated, featuring local ingredients and regional cuisine. For more information about other Holland America Line voyages, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit Find Holland America Line on Facebook, Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also access all social media outlets via the home page at About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)] Holland America Line has been exploring the world for more than 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to the destinations. Offering a perfectly-sized ship experience, its fleet of 11 vessels visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years — longer than any other cruise line. Savour the Journey isn't just a tagline, it's a reinforcement that the cruise line provides experiences too good to hurry through, connecting travelers to the world and each other. Award-winning enrichment programming, entertainment and cuisine that brings each locale on board, including a revolutionary Global Fresh Fish Program, put Holland America Line at the forefront of premium cruising. CONTACT: Bill Zucker PHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-626-9890 EMAIL: pr@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Holland America Line View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nearly 150 cruise guests, crew sick with gastrointestinal illness on 3 ships
About 150 passengers and crew members got sick with gastrointestinal illness on three cruise ships. Among the 2,038 guests on Holland America Line's Eurodam ship, 64 reported being ill during its current voyage, along with a dozen crew members, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Their main symptoms were vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, which were caused by norovirus. The ship departed from Fort Lauderdale on April 12, according to CruiseMapper. Holland America told USA TODAY that the cases were "mostly mild and quickly resolved." "We initiated enhanced sanitation protocols in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to minimize further transmission, including continuous disinfection of the ship," the cruise line said in an emailed statement. Why cruise ships are battling a so many norovirus outbreaks Fifty-five of the 1,149 guests aboard the line's Zuiderdam ship also got sick during its current cruise, in addition to 14 crew, with their main symptom being diarrhea. The causative agent remains unknown, according to the CDC. The CDC listed the voyage dates as Jan. 4 through May 9. The ship is currently sailing the line's 2025 Grand World Voyage. A gastrointestinal issue was also identified aboard Lindblad Expeditions' National Geographic Sea Lion ship. Two of its 43 guests and one crew member reported being sick with symptoms including fever, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the health agency, though the causative agent also remains unknown. The ship is currently sailing in Alaska, per CruiseMapper. All three vessels implemented heightened sanitation procedures and isolated sick guests and crew, among other measures, the CDC said. Lindblad did not immediately share a comment on the cases before publishing. There have been 16 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruises that met the CDC's threshold for public notification in 2025, most of which were caused by norovirus. There were 18 outbreaks in all of 2024, and 14 the year prior. 'While the number of recent cruise ship outbreaks has been higher than in years prior to the pandemic, we do not yet know if this represents a new trend,' the health agency told USA TODAY in an emailed statement earlier this month. 'However, CDC data show a newly dominant strain is currently associated with reported norovirus outbreaks on land. Ships typically follow the pattern of land-based outbreaks, which are higher this norovirus season.' The illness is often associated with cruises, but those represent just 1% of all outbreaks reported. The agency's Vessel Sanitation Program, which inspects cruise ships and responds to outbreaks, was among the initiatives affected by recent staffing cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services. However, a spokesperson for the CDC previously told USA TODAY the program will continue since 'the VSP is primarily staffed by USPHS commissioned officers who were not subject to the reduction in force.' Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nearly 150 people sick with gastrointestinal illness on 3 cruise ships
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Nearly 150 cruise guests, crew sick with gastrointestinal illness on 3 ships
Nearly 150 cruise guests, crew sick with gastrointestinal illness on 3 ships Show Caption Hide Caption Norovirus: Symptoms and prevention of 'stomach flu' When norovirus cases spike, these are symptoms you should watch out for and measures you can take for prevention. About 150 passengers and crew members got sick with gastrointestinal illness on three cruise ships. Among the 2,038 guests on Holland America Line's Eurodam ship, 64 reported being ill during its current voyage, along with a dozen crew members, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Their main symptoms were vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, which were caused by norovirus. The ship departed from Fort Lauderdale on April 12, according to CruiseMapper. Holland America told USA TODAY that the cases were "mostly mild and quickly resolved." "We initiated enhanced sanitation protocols in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to minimize further transmission, including continuous disinfection of the ship," the cruise line said in an emailed statement. Why cruise ships are battling a so many norovirus outbreaks Fifty-five of the 1,149 guests aboard the line's Zuiderdam ship also got sick during its current cruise, in addition to 14 crew, with their main symptom being diarrhea. The causative agent remains unknown, according to the CDC. The CDC listed the voyage dates as Jan. 4 through May 9. The ship is currently sailing the line's 2025 Grand World Voyage. A gastrointestinal issue was also identified aboard Lindblad Expeditions' National Geographic Sea Lion ship. Two of its 43 guests and one crew member reported being sick with symptoms including fever, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the health agency, though the causative agent also remains unknown. The ship is currently sailing in Alaska, per CruiseMapper. All three vessels implemented heightened sanitation procedures and isolated sick guests and crew, among other measures, the CDC said. Lindblad did not immediately share a comment on the cases before publishing. There have been 16 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruises that met the CDC's threshold for public notification in 2025, most of which were caused by norovirus. There were 18 outbreaks in all of 2024, and 14 the year prior. 'While the number of recent cruise ship outbreaks has been higher than in years prior to the pandemic, we do not yet know if this represents a new trend,' the health agency told USA TODAY in an emailed statement earlier this month. 'However, CDC data show a newly dominant strain is currently associated with reported norovirus outbreaks on land. Ships typically follow the pattern of land-based outbreaks, which are higher this norovirus season.' The illness is often associated with cruises, but those represent just 1% of all outbreaks reported. The agency's Vessel Sanitation Program, which inspects cruise ships and responds to outbreaks, was among the initiatives affected by recent staffing cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services. However, a spokesperson for the CDC previously told USA TODAY the program will continue since 'the VSP is primarily staffed by USPHS commissioned officers who were not subject to the reduction in force.' Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
