Royal Caribbean says it is working with health officials and thoroughly cleaning one of its vessels after passengers experienced increased levels of gastrointestinal illness on a recent cruise.
Explorer of the Seas was a on a 14-night sailing from Sydney to New Zealand when around 182 guests (a little over three percent of the 3,566 passengers onboard) started experiencing symptoms of the intestinal illness.
Royal Caribbean said in a statement that those affected by the short-lived issues successfully responded to over-the-counter medication administered by the cruise line and none of its passengers needed to be transported to a hospital upon arrival in Sydney today.
The carrier has begun cleansing and sanitising all areas of the vessel to prevent any further illnesses during its forthcoming eight-night cruise to the South Pacific.
“We have reported this to South East Sydney Local Health District and while docked in Sydney, the ship and terminal will undergo an enhanced cleaning and sanitisation to prevent any illness affecting future cruises.”
Royal Caribbean
All passengers boarding today will be asked to fill out paperwork where they will be required to notify staff of any gastrointestinal symptoms within the last three days.
Gastro is a common illness worldwide and at times hits cruise ship passengers when brought onboard by a single traveller.
