Cruise lines take few things as seriously as gastrointestinal illnesses. They can move quickly from one passenger to the other and rapidly spread through a ship.

That’s why hand-washing is encouraged, and hand sanitation stations are everywhere on cruise ships. Properly washing your hands is actually your best defense against the spread of illness. 

Related: Iconic cruise ship to get huge makeover in 2025

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has been very clear about the benefits of hand-washing;

“Washing hands can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrheal infections. Germs can spread from person to person or from surfaces to people when you:

• Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands
• Touch surfaces or objects that have germs on them
• Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into hands, and then touch other people’s hands or common objects.”

Cruise ships create easy conditions for viruses to spread, but the industry has done a very good job of keeping ships and passengers safe. That does not mean that outbreaks never happen.

Cruise News Today’s Doug Parker has the story about a recent outbreak on a Princess Cruise.

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Princess Cruises hit by illness

Transcript:

This is Cruise News Today with Doug Barker. Good morning. Here is your cruise news for Thursday, December 12.

A gastrointestinal illness is spreading among passengers on Princess Cruises. Ruby Princess is currently on a 16-day Hawaii cruise.

Now, the captain sent a letter to guest staterooms advising them that he is canceling events on board and implementing enhanced sanitation protocols, including halting self-service at the buffet. 

This is not the first outbreak for a Princess cruise ship this year. In recent months, both Coral Princess and Sapphire have both experienced similar incidents.

State Dept. issues warnings, Virgin sets records, Royal Caribbean increases dividend

And the State Department is warning travelers heading to Honduras or Costa Rica about the crime in the area. Honduras remains at a reconsidered travel level with high rates of violence, while Costa Rica is at an exercise increased caution level. Cruise passengers are advised to stick with ship-sponsored excursions in those ports and be aware of their surroundings in both countries.

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And Virgin Voyages is riding a wave of success, reporting record-breaking sales and revenue growth. Black Friday marked the company’s highest booking day ever with a 300% increase over last year. The cruise line continues the growth to move forward as it launches its new ship, Brilliant Lady, next year.

And Royal Caribbean Group has announced a 38% increase in its quarterly dividend, now at $0.55 per share, that’s up from $0.40 previously. The dividend will be paid on January 13 to shareholders of record. 

As of December 27th, Royal Caribbean brought in a net income of $1.1 billion in Q3 of this year.

Way to go.

Tips@cruiseradio.net. Have yourself a great Thursday. I’m Doug Parker with Cruise News Today.

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