The National Geographic Sea Bird, an expedition cruise ship operated by Lindblad Expeditions, is currently dealing with its third norovirus outbreak since late May. Health officials confirmed the latest outbreak began on July 12, with 18 out of 62 passengers experiencing symptoms such as vomiting and abdominal cramps.
The ship, which departed Sitka two days prior to the reported outbreak, was scheduled to arrive in Juneau on July 15. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) is remotely monitoring the situation and reviewing the ship's sanitation and response procedures.
In an effort to contain the illness, the ship's crew has isolated affected passengers and intensified cleaning and disinfection protocols in line with their outbreak prevention plan. The specific source of the current outbreak remains unknown, and officials have requested stool or vomitus samples from those who fell ill for confirmatory testing.
This latest incident marks the third time the 152-foot vessel has reported a gastrointestinal illness outbreak since May. According to VSP data, the Sea Bird is the only one of the eight cruise ship outbreaks reported at U.S. ports in 2026 to have experienced more than one incident.
Previous outbreaks aboard the Sea Bird include one from May 26-31, which affected nine passengers and three crew members, and another from June 25-30, where 20 out of 95 individuals onboard became ill. Norovirus was identified as the cause in both of these earlier instances.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes sudden and severe vomiting and diarrhea, commonly referred to as the stomach flu, though it is not related to influenza. The CDC notes that it strikes rapidly and intensely.
The Sea Bird's recurring outbreaks occur amidst other notable cruise ship health incidents. In April, the MV Hondius experienced a hantavirus outbreak linked to three passenger deaths. In May, the Caribbean Princess reported a norovirus outbreak that sickened over 100 people, according to the CDC.