When Stomach Bugs Strike at Sea: What Every Cruiser Needs to Know

by Peter Walsh, Founder, The Cruise Injury Law Firm

Over 140 passengers fell ill aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas during its July Fourth voyage, according to a recent report from the NBC and the CDC. The source of the outbreak is still unknown, but the symptoms—vomiting and diarrhea—are consistent with norovirus or a similar gastrointestinal illness.

If you or someone you love has ever suffered a stomach bug while at sea, you know it’s not a mild inconvenience—it’s miserable, often preventable, and in some cases, it may be grounds for legal action.

As the founder of a law firm devoted to protecting cruise passengers, I want to share what you should know if you’re ever caught in a situation like this, and what steps you can take to protect yourself before, during, and after your trip.

Before You Sail: Preventive Steps That Matter

Cruise ships are floating cities, and like any crowded environment, they can become breeding grounds for contagious illnesses. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t travel—it means you should travel smart.

Here are some steps you can take before boarding:

• Travel Insurance That Covers Medical Issues: Not all travel insurance is created equal. Look for policies that include trip interruption, emergency medical treatment, and evacuation. Confirm that illnesses on board are covered.
• Pre-Trip Health Check: If you or your travel companions are immunocompromised or have chronic conditions, talk to your doctor about the risks of gastrointestinal illness before you travel.
• Bring Your Own Sanitizers and Wipes: While cruise lines claim to sanitize regularly, it never hurts to have alcohol-based hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes with you.

On Board: How to Lower Your Risk

Even with strict health protocols, outbreaks can and do happen. Here’s how to stay vigilant:

• Wash Your Hands Religiously: Handwashing with soap and water is more effective than hand sanitizer—especially after using the restroom or before eating.
• Avoid Communal Food: Buffets, public drink dispensers, and self-serve ice machines are often high-touch areas. Use serving utensils, avoid touching shared surfaces, and consider ordering room service instead.
• Stay Alert for Early Warnings: Cruise lines have a legal duty to notify passengers of onboard illnesses. If you hear about a wave of sickness, don’t wait—take precautions early and document what you’re told.

If You Get Sick: What to Do on the Ship

If you begin to experience symptoms of gastrointestinal illness while at sea:

1. Report It Immediately: Let the ship’s medical staff know as soon as possible. Not only is this essential for your care, it creates a record.
2. Document Everything: Write down when symptoms began, who you spoke to, what you ate in the 48 hours prior, and any medical care received on board. Keep copies of any treatment notes or bills.
3. Take Photos: If your cabin wasn’t cleaned properly, if food was improperly stored, or if common areas were dirty, take photos. These could be crucial later.
4. Limit Exposure to Others: This is both a moral responsibility and a practical one. Illnesses like norovirus are highly contagious. Avoid spreading it further.

After the Cruise: Your Legal Rights

Many passengers who suffer illness aboard cruise ships chalk it up to bad luck. But bad luck doesn’t usually send over a hundred people to the ship’s infirmary. Outbreaks often result from poor hygiene protocols, food contamination, or inadequate infection control procedures—problems the cruise line is responsible for preventing.

If you’ve been seriously sickened on a cruise, you may have a valid legal claim. Here’s what to do next:

• Contact an Attorney Immediately: Cruise injury cases have very short filing deadlines—often as little as six months. And most require that you file in specific federal courts, regardless of where you live.
• Preserve Medical Records and Evidence: If you saw a doctor after the cruise, save those records. Keep photos, emails from the cruise line, receipts, and anything else related to your illness.
• Don’t Settle Too Soon: Cruise lines sometimes offer onboard credits or partial refunds after outbreaks. Don’t accept anything without talking to an attorney first. You may be giving up your right to sue.

We’ve Seen This Before—and We Can Help

At The Cruise Injury Law Firm, we’ve handled claims involving norovirus outbreaks, food poisoning, and failures in shipboard sanitation. Our team knows how to investigate these cases, preserve evidence before it’s lost, and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost vacation time, and the misery no one signs up for when they book a cruise.

If you or a family member became ill aboard Navigator of the Seas or another ship, let’s talk. We offer free consultations, and we only get paid if we recover money for you.

Cruising should be relaxing. When it turns into a nightmare, we’re here to help you fight back.

—Peter Walsh

Founder, The Cruise Injury Law Firm