CDC Probes Illness Outbreak on Seven Seas Mariner
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has launched an investigation into a gastrointestinal illness outbreak aboard Seven Seas Mariner, operated by Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
According to the CDC, 27 individuals — including 21 passengers and six crew members — reported symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness during a voyage that sailed from Miami to Honolulu between January 11 and February 1. The ship was carrying 631 passengers at the time.
The itinerary included multiple port calls in Central America and Mexico, with stops in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Colombia, as well as a transit through the Panama Canal before continuing to Hawaii. The cruise line notified the CDC of the initial cases on January 29 while the vessel was still at sea.
The CDC has not yet identified the exact cause of the outbreak and currently lists it as unknown. Affected passengers were asked to submit stool samples to help determine the source of the illness, and laboratory testing remains ongoing. While norovirus is frequently associated with cruise ship gastrointestinal outbreaks, health officials note that confirming the specific pathogen can take time.
In response to the situation, Regent Seven Seas Cruises implemented containment measures in line with maritime health protocols. These actions included isolating symptomatic guests and crew, increasing sanitation and disinfection procedures across public areas and cabins, and monitoring additional cases. The CDC confirmed that the ship adhered to required sanitation and outbreak-response guidelines.
Cruise ships operating from U.S. ports are subject to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program, which monitors and reports gastrointestinal illness outbreaks that meet specific reporting thresholds. The agency continues to emphasize preventive measures for travelers, including frequent and thorough handwashing, particularly before eating and after using restrooms.
According to published reports, this marks the first cruise ship illness outbreak publicly reported by the CDC in 2026. Health officials will update their findings once laboratory analysis is complete, providing greater clarity on the cause and scope of the incident.
Related News: https://airguide.info/category/cruise