An 87-year-old cruise enthusiast named Bob Pettit isn’t letting a rough bout of norovirus ruin his love for the sea. Even after getting sick on his latest Royal Caribbean voyage, he’s already eyeing his 26th trip.
Pettit and his son Josh boarded the Serenade of the Seas in San Diego for a 13-day adventure packed with stops in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia. But shortly after setting sail, norovirus hit hard. Nearly 100 passengers, including Pettit, fell ill, turning what should have been a relaxing getaway into a challenging one.
“I’ve never been this sick in my life,” Pettit told NBC 6. The virus struck him a few days in, starting with an upset stomach and quickly worsening. “It really hits you hard—violently,” he added. Common norovirus symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches, and fever, according to the CDC.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has officially labeled this a norovirus outbreak on the cruise ship, one of many gastrointestinal issues reported this year. As of Wednesday, 94 passengers and four crew members had symptoms. Norovirus spreads easily in close quarters like cruise ships, where people share spaces and touch surfaces.
Pettit quarantined right away to help stop the spread, but it wasn’t enough to fully contain it. His son Josh shared that they’ll be extra careful next time. “You’re touching chairs, salt and pepper shakers—we’re definitely thinking more about keeping hands clean before eating,” Josh said.
Royal Caribbean says its team is on top of things, ramping up cleaning and following strict health protocols that go beyond guidelines. “The health and safety of our guests, crew, and communities are our top priority,” the cruise line stated.
Despite the illness sidelining their port visits, the father-son duo stays upbeat. “Hopefully, things have turned the corner and are getting better,” Josh said. Their ship is due back in Miami on Thursday.
This isn’t an isolated incident. The CDC has tracked 19 gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruises so far this year, with 14 linked to norovirus. Three of those happened on Royal Caribbean ships, highlighting why handwashing and quick isolation remain key to preventing cruise ship outbreaks.
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