Virus Outbreaks Are More Likely on Longer Cruises
Photo Credit: There have been 10 reported virus outbreaks on Holland America's ms Nieuw Amsterdam. Holland America Line
Skift Take
The average virus outbreak occurs on a 12-day voyage and causes 6.6 percent of passengers to fall ill. Longer cruises give the virus more time to spread but the factors that lead to an outbreak are the same on every ship.
Travelers that are interested in taking a cruise, but worried by the prospect of another norovirus outbreak, should stick to shorter voyages, suggests data reported to the CDC.
In the last 10 years, 225 outbreaks have been reported to the CDC. It's difficult to tell what percentage this is of total cruises taken as there is currently no comprehensive list of annual cruise departures.
We estimate that it is less than 5 percent; however, cruise ships are only required to report an outbreak when 2 percent of passengers are identified as ill.
The majority of virus outbreaks in the past 10 years occurred on voyages that were between 7 and 15 days long, according to CDC data. It's rare for more than 12 percent of passengers to fall ill in that time.
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