Last Updated on March 7, 2025 by Mrunal & Jiten
WILLEMSTAD – Holland America Line’s Eurodam cruise ship has experienced its fourth norovirus outbreak of 2025, with nearly 150 passengers and 10 crew members falling ill during a recent voyage from Port Everglades. The ship’s return to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday was marred by the outbreak, which marked the ninth voyage this year departing from or docking in Florida that resulted in a reported illness.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Eurodam, with over 2,000 passengers on board, had to deal with a growing number of reported gastrointestinal illnesses as it sailed in the southern Caribbean. The ship had been scheduled to dock in Willemstad, Curaçao, on February 25, but the Curaçao Ministry of Health, Environment & Nature issued a notice barring the disembarkation of passengers and crew, citing the significant increase in gastrointestinal cases on board.
However, hours later, the ministry reassured the public, stating that the situation no longer posed an imminent health threat to the island.
This second outbreak on Eurodam in 2025 comes just two weeks after the first outbreak of the year. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) continues to track the spread of norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus often spread through contaminated surfaces, food, and water. While the outbreak aboard Eurodam in January affected 109 passengers and 13 crew members, this latest instance has raised concerns among local health authorities, especially with Curaçao’s close ties to cruise tourism.
Dr. Jill Roberts, a public health professor at the University of South Florida, explained that norovirus is transmitted when tiny particles of feces or vomit are ingested. She added, “If I pick up food and the food is contaminated, I can contaminate other areas of the ship.” The virus’s resilience to alcohol-based sanitizers makes handwashing with soap and water crucial to controlling its spread.
Despite the outbreaks, the Eurodam is still ranked among the top five cleanest cruise lines by the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program. However, these recurrent outbreaks highlight a growing concern within the industry regarding the handling of public health onboard cruise ships. The cruise ship operator’s cleanliness standards are praised, but the constant recurrence of the illness underscores a need for better preventative measures.
At the time of the outbreak, the Eurodam was en route to several Caribbean ports, including Aruba and Bonaire, but it was only in Curaçao that health authorities took action. Passengers were not informed about the possibility of missing the port stop due to the virus, as noted by Frequent Miler blogger Nick Reyes, who was on board during the outbreak.
The Eurodam’s route has previously included Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, and Half Moon Cay, Carnival’s private island in the Bahamas. Both previous outbreaks—one of which occurred over the New Year’s voyage (Dec. 30 – Jan. 8)—involved similar destinations.
As the norovirus outbreaks continue to disrupt operations, authorities are emphasizing the importance of proactive prevention, including better hand hygiene, staff training, and greater vigilance in ensuring that food handlers and other crew members do not work while sick.
As the cruise industry, including ports like Willemstad, continues to play a significant role in Curaçao’s economy, the recurring nature of these outbreaks may lead to even stricter public health policies moving forward. The island’s Ministry of Health has already demonstrated its readiness to act swiftly when potential health threats arise, as seen with its decision to halt disembarkation earlier this month.
WILLEMSTAD – Holland America Line’s Eurodam cruise ship has experienced its fourth norovirus outbreak of 2025, with nearly 150 passengers and 10 crew members falling ill during a recent voyage from Port Everglades. The ship’s return to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday was marred by the outbreak, which marked the ninth voyage this year departing from or docking in Florida that resulted in a reported illness.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Eurodam, with over 2,000 passengers on board, had to deal with a growing number of reported gastrointestinal illnesses as it sailed in the southern Caribbean. The ship had been scheduled to dock in Willemstad, Curaçao, on February 25, but the Curaçao Ministry of Health, Environment & Nature issued a notice barring the disembarkation of passengers and crew, citing the significant increase in gastrointestinal cases on board.
However, hours later, the ministry reassured the public, stating that the situation no longer posed an imminent health threat to the island.
This second outbreak on Eurodam in 2025 comes just two weeks after the first outbreak of the year. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) continues to track the spread of norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus often spread through contaminated surfaces, food, and water. While the outbreak aboard Eurodam in January affected 109 passengers and 13 crew members, this latest instance has raised concerns among local health authorities, especially with Curaçao’s close ties to cruise tourism.
Dr. Jill Roberts, a public health professor at the University of South Florida, explained that norovirus is transmitted when tiny particles of feces or vomit are ingested. She added, “If I pick up food and the food is contaminated, I can contaminate other areas of the ship.” The virus’s resilience to alcohol-based sanitizers makes handwashing with soap and water crucial to controlling its spread.
Despite the outbreaks, the Eurodam is still ranked among the top five cleanest cruise lines by the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program. However, these recurrent outbreaks highlight a growing concern within the industry regarding the handling of public health onboard cruise ships. The cruise ship operator’s cleanliness standards are praised, but the constant recurrence of the illness underscores a need for better preventative measures.
At the time of the outbreak, the Eurodam was en route to several Caribbean ports, including Aruba and Bonaire, but it was only in Curaçao that health authorities took action. Passengers were not informed about the possibility of missing the port stop due to the virus, as noted by Frequent Miler blogger Nick Reyes, who was on board during the outbreak.
The Eurodam’s route has previously included Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, and Half Moon Cay, Carnival’s private island in the Bahamas. Both previous outbreaks—one of which occurred over the New Year’s voyage (Dec. 30 – Jan. 8)—involved similar destinations.
As the norovirus outbreaks continue to disrupt operations, authorities are emphasizing the importance of proactive prevention, including better hand hygiene, staff training, and greater vigilance in ensuring that food handlers and other crew members do not work while sick.
As the cruise industry, including ports like Willemstad, continues to play a significant role in Curaçao’s economy, the recurring nature of these outbreaks may lead to even stricter public health policies moving forward. The island’s Ministry of Health has already demonstrated its readiness to act swiftly when potential health threats arise, as seen with its decision to halt disembarkation earlier this month.
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