Latest news with #SymphonyoftheSeas'
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Royal Caribbean alerts cruisers about disease linked to hot tubs
These days, most people understand the general risk of illness that comes with bringing a large number of people together into a semi-enclosed space like a cruise ship. Many people don't realize though that cruise ship hot tub use can potentially increase their risk of becoming ill from a disease that isn't spread through person-to-person contact. Related: CDC says throw this food out after salmonella sickens cruisers Over the last couple of years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been working to educate cruise lines about the increased risk for Legionella bacteria growth in private-balcony hot tubs. When Legionella bacteria grows in hot tub water systems, it can be transmitted to hot tub users through inhaled water droplets. In some cases, cruise passengers exposed to the bacteria later become sick with Legionnaires' disease, a severe type of pneumonia. Although rare, Legionnaires' disease is a growing health concern for cruise passengers because private-balcony hot tubs have become a popular amenity on many newer cruise ships. Since private-balcony hot tubs aren't used as often as public ones, their maintenance requirements typically aren't as strict, which can create conditions favorable for Legionella bacteria growth. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. Over the last few months, Royal Caribbean has been notifying passengers on multiple cruises about a recent case of Legionnaires' disease, according to an unofficial fan blog not affiliated with the cruise line. "The CDC has advised that while they are unsure where exposed, a guest who recently sailed on Symphony of the Seas was later diagnosed with Legionella," Royal Caribbean informed passengers. Royal Caribbean sent a similar notification to Symphony of the Seas' passengers in January after two other passengers fell ill with the disease after sailing on the ship in late 2024. Related: Here's when Royal Caribbean can cancel your cruise vacation Symphony of the Seas is not the only cruise ship to be associated with the disease, however. In October 2024, the CDC reported that it was notified of 12 cases of Legionnaires' disease among travelers sailing on two cruise ships from separate cruise lines between November 2022 and June 2024. Their investigation linked both cruise ship Legionnaires' disease outbreaks to private-balcony hot tubs. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. It's important for cruisers to know that private-balcony hot tubs are more likely to experience Legionella growth than public hot tubs found in common areas because they are not required to be disinfected as frequently as public ones. The CDC has been working to ensure that cruise lines understand the hot tub features that increase the risk for Legionella growth and transmission, and how cruise lines can adapt maintenance and operations protocols to reduce that risk. "Royal Caribbean is working hard to protect the health of guests and crew onboard Symphony of the Seas," the cruise line assured passengers in its recent Legionnaires' disease notification emails. The cruise line informed passengers that it stepped up its sanitation efforts as a precautionary measure and followed all CDC guidance. Related: Princess Cruises ship gets banned from entering Caribbean port Although most healthy people who are exposed to Legionella do not get sick, some people are at an increased risk including current and former smokers, adults over 50, and people with specific health issues or conditions. Legionnaires' disease symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches. "If you experience these symptoms and have concerns, please reach out to your preferred medical professional," the cruise line urged. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@ or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean issues serious health warning to passengers
Although cruises offer many benefits to vacationers, they do come with some health risks that all travelers should take into consideration. Cruises bring a large number of people together into a semi-enclosed shipboard environment, making it easy for illnesses to spread through person-to-person contact. This is why passengers are constantly encouraged to wash their hands throughout their cruise, especially when entering addition to person-to-person contact, it's also possible for passengers to be exposed to communicable diseases through the air and through inhaled water droplets while on board a cruise ship. Cruise lines must take special care to minimize the growth of Legionella bacteria in water systems to prevent transmission of the bacteria to passengers through inhaled water droplets, especially when using hot tubs. On rare occasions, cruise passengers become sick with Legionnaires' disease, a serious type of pneumonia, after returning from a cruise as a result of Legionella exposure. This was the case for one person who recently sailed on a popular Royal Caribbean cruise on multiple sailings in March and April 2025 received emails from Royal Caribbean to notify them of a recent case of Legionnaires' disease, according to an unofficial fan blog not affiliated with the cruise line. 'The CDC has advised that while they are unsure where exposed, a guest who recently sailed on Symphony of the Seas was later diagnosed with Legionella,' the letter stated. Royal Caribbean explained that heightened sanitation protocols were implemented as a precautionary measure, and that the cruise line followed all CDC guidance to protect the health of passengers and crew. The cruise line also explained how Legionella spreads and the symptoms of Legionnaires' disease.'It is important to know that Legionella is not contagious from person to person. It is contracted by inhaling water droplets from a source containing the bacteria, which can be found throughout the world in any environment containing water — ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams, as well as municipal water systems, fountains, and whirlpools.' Not all people who are exposed to Legionella become sick. Most healthy people do not, but certain people are at an increased risk of getting sick from Legionella exposure — current and former smokers, adults over 50, and people with specific health issues or conditions. Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches. Royal Caribbean advised passengers to reach out to a medical professional if they experience these symptoms and have January 2025, Royal Caribbean sent this same type of notification to Symphony of the Seas' passengers after two other passengers fell ill with Legionnaires' disease after sailing on the ship. One of the passengers had sailed on the ship in October 2024, while the other sailed in December 2024, according to the CDC. Past CDC investigations conducted between November 2022 and July 2024 linked previous outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease to private outdoor hot tubs on cruise private balcony hot tubs are popular amenities, but passengers should be aware that they are more likely to experience Legionella growth than public hot tubs in common areas. This is because private hot tubs are not typically subject to the same rigorous maintenance requirements as public ones. 'Given the range of hot tub–type devices offered as amenities across the cruise industry, to reduce risk for Legionella growth and transmission, it is important for cruise ship water management program staff members to inventory and assess private balcony hot tubs and adapt public hot tub maintenance and operations protocols for use on private outdoor hot tubs,' the CDC recommended in its 2024 investigation report. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean forced to continue skipping popular port
Cruise itinerary changes can be extremely disappointing for passengers, especially for those who choose a particular sailing specifically for the destinations the ship will visit. Cruise lines know this and always do what they can to avoid these changes, but sometimes the situation is out of their control. Often its poor weather conditions that prevent a cruise ship from docking in a port, but occasionally it's a different kind of port Royal Caribbean, pier repair work has been the key issue for some time at one of its Caribbean ports of call. The only pier that can accommodate Royal Caribbean's giant Oasis-class ships in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been out of commission for months. The ongoing situation has forced the cruise line to cancel Symphony of the Seas' recent calls to San Juan and divert the ship to other destinations. Recent San Juan local media reports on the construction progress gave passengers hope that the pier would reopen in late January and Royal Caribbean would be able to dock Symphony of the Seas there during its February sailings. But it turns out that won't be the Caribbean () notified passengers booked on three of Symphony of the Seas' February sailings that the port won't be able to welcome them and their cruise itinerary has changed, according to "Due to ongoing construction at the pier in San Juan, the port authority has advised us that the port will not be ready in time for our visit," the cruise line said in an email to passengers booked on the February 23 sailing that was shared with Royal Caribbean Blog."You will now get to explore the beautiful Labadee, Haiti. Although we need to skip our visit to Phillipsburg, St. Maarten, you will get the enjoy the charming Falmouth, Jamaica," the email continued. "Thank you for your understanding. We're excited to share these wonderful destinations with you." Royal Caribbean Blog reports that the cruise line also changed itineraries for the ship's Feb. 9 and Feb. 16 sailings to replace planned calls to San ongoing construction work at the pier in San Juan stems from an incident that occurred in April 2024 that resulted in the loss of a dolphin mooring structure just off the main pier. After the incident, the U.S. Coast Guard established an operational control disallowing cruise ship operations at San Juan Port's Pier-3 West. In November, the Coast Guard announced that the pier would remain closed to cruise ships until further notice pending requested satisfactory assessment studies followed by a Coast Guard on-site inspection of the facility. The Coast Guard has not yet issued an update on whether they have received the requested studies or when the pier will reopen to cruise ships are still permitted to dock at San Juan Cruise Port's other piers, but only Pier-3 West can accommodate Symphony of the Seas and other Oasis-class ships. 'Since the loss of the facility's mooring structure, Coast Guard Prevention personnel have been actively working with the San Juan Cruise Port and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority to determine if the structure remains sound for cruise ship operations,' Capt. Luis J. Rodriguez, Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan and Captain of the Port – San Juan, said in the November statement. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Have questions about booking a cruise? 'We understand the inconvenience of this matter, however, it is critical we ensure the safety of the port, the cruise ships and the thousands of people who operate on or visit the island through this port facility,' Capt. Rodriguez continued. 'My team stands ready to move ahead immediately once we receive the awaited studies from San Juan Cruise Port and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority.' Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one?
