Norovirus outbreak sickens 125 on Ruby Princess cruise

A norovirus outbreak sickened 125 people aboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship during a 20-day voyage to Alaska, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ship, operated by Princess Cruises, returned to San Francisco on Thursday, July 2, 2026, concluding a trip that departed on June 12.

The CDC reported that 102 of the ship's 3,032 passengers and 23 of its 1,144 crew members fell ill with the gastrointestinal virus. The outbreak was formally reported to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program on June 28, and laboratory testing confirmed norovirus as the cause. Federal health officials noted that not all infected individuals were sick at the same time or when the ship arrived in port.

Norovirus is highly contagious and spreads through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or close contact with infected individuals. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, typically lasting one to three days. While rarely life-threatening for healthy people, the illness can cause serious dehydration in young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

In response to the outbreak, the ship's crew implemented enhanced sanitation protocols. These...