GI Outbreak Reported on Luxury Cruise Ship
More than 25 passengers and crew members were sickened by a gastrointestinal outbreak onboard a Regent Seven Seas cruise ship. Among the 631 guests aboard the Seven Seas Mariner, 21 reported being ill, along with six crew members, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC said the impacted voyage dates were Jan. 11 through Feb.
1. The outbreak was reported on January 29, 2026.
- Number of passengers who reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of passengers onboard: 21 of 631 (3.3%)
- Number of crew who reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of crew onboard: 6 of 458 (1.3%)
The ship was sailing from Miami to Honolulu at the time, with scheduled stops in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and more.
This case marks the first gastrointestinal outbreak on a cruise ship this year. There were 23 outbreaks in 2025, 17 of which were caused by norovirus, and the illness caused 15 out of 18 total outbreaks the previous year.
The close quarters and high population density on cruise ships make them particularly vulnerable to gastrointestinal outbreaks.
How to prevent contracting norovirus, salmonella, and gastrointestinal illness on your next cruise.
- Wash your hands. Use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds, paying attention to between fingers and under fingernails.
- Avoid touching your face. Minimize touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Sanitize surfaces. Regularly disinfect frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, countertops, and handrails.
- Proper food handling. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and ensure food is cooked to proper temperatures.
- Take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water. Resting helps rebuild your immunity. Drinking water helps keep you hydrated and flush out toxins.
- Report illness promptly. Reporting gastrointestinal illness is important. When passengers and crew tell the medical center onboard about their symptoms, it helps GI illness outbreaks get detected quickly. This allows steps to be taken to limit the spread.
Aronfeld Trial Lawyers has a strong record of success in handling cruise ship injury cases and lawsuits related to foodborne illnesses like norovirus, salmonella, and other gastrointestinal illnesses. We work to ensure our
clients receive justice and compensation. We understand the tactics used by cruise lines to minimize claims and are prepared to counter them effectively.
We believe that most cruise ship-related accidents and illnesses can be avoided. However, when cruise lines put their profits ahead of passenger safety, people can get seriously hurt. Our law office is in Miami, Florida, and we concentrate on representing passengers in claims and lawsuits against all the major cruise lines–such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian, SilverSeas, Regent Seven Seas, Holland America, Princess, and Disney Cruise Lines.
SOURCES:
More than 25 guests, crew sick in Regent Seven Seas cruise GI outbreak
Tips for Healthy Cruising | Vessel Sanitation Program | CDC