More than 100 passengers and two dozen crew members were sickened by norovirus during a 20-day Alaska cruise aboard a Princess Cruises ship. The Ruby Princess docked in San Francisco on Thursday, July 3, 2026, with 102 passengers and 23 crew members reporting symptoms of the highly contagious gastrointestinal illness.
The outbreak was first reported on June 28, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The cruise, which departed San Francisco on June 12, included stops in Canada and Alaska before returning to California. Approximately three percent of the ship's passengers and two percent of the crew experienced symptoms.
Norovirus, commonly known as the stomach flu, spreads easily through direct contact, contaminated surfaces, and consumption of contaminated food or beverages. Individuals can remain contagious for up to two weeks after symptoms have subsided.
Princess Cruises stated that its crew implemented enhanced sanitation protocols in response to the outbreak, and cases have since decreased. The cruise line reported that the ship underwent comprehensive cleaning and disinfection procedures in preparation for its next voyage. Stool specimens were collected from infected individuals for testing, and passengers and crew who fell ill were isolated.
This incident marks the third norovirus outbreak on a Princess Cruises ship this year. The cruise line previously experienced similar outbreaks on the Star Princess and Caribbean Princess in March and April. In total, the CDC has reported seven cruise ship outbreaks so far this year, with Princess Cruises accounting for three of them. Other cruise lines have also reported gastrointestinal illnesses, including two E. coli outbreaks on Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises ships earlier in the year.