Investigation Update on the Norwegian Pearl

Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line

Cruise Ship: Norwegian Pearl

Voyage Dates: 11/30-12/9

Number of ill passengers out of total number of passengers:  335 of 2377 (14.09%)

Number of ill crew out of total number of crew: 24 of 1097 (2.19%)

Predominant symptoms: diarrhea and vomiting

Actions: In response to the outbreak, Norwegian Cruise Line and the crew aboard the ship took the following actions:

• increased cleaning and disinfection procedures,
• suspended guest self-service buffets,
• stressed proper handwashing to both passengers and crew,
• notified oncoming passengers of illness,
• collected stool specimens for analysis,
• sent daily updates to CDC until the number of ill people returned to expected levels, and
• delayed the embarkation in Miami to conduct additional cleaning and disinfection.

On December 9th, VSP staff boarded the ship in Miami to conduct a targeted environmental health investigation and made recommendations. The numbers returned to expected levels on the voyage with sailing dates of 12/14-12/23.