Another Cruise Ship Sanitation Program Alert Issued by the CDC

In a recent update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), details were released about a gastrointestinal illness (GI) outbreak aboard the Regent Seven Seas cruise ship, Seven Seas Mariner.

The CDC reported this incident on February 2, 2026, which affected a small percentage of passengers and crew, underscoring the ongoing challenges of maintaining health standards on luxury cruises in the travel environment.

According to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), the final case counts showed that 21 of 631 passengers (3.3%) reported illness, and 6 of 458 crew members (1.3%).

The predominant symptom among those affected was diarrhea, and the specific causative agent remained unknown despite testing.

In response to the outbreak, Regent Seven Seas and the ship's crew implemented several measures as outlined in the CDC report. These included enhancing cleaning and disinfection procedures in accordance with their established outbreak prevention and response plan. Stool specimens were collected from affected individuals for laboratory testing, and ill passengers and crew members were isolated to prevent further spread.

The cruise line consulted directly with VSP officials to enhance sanitation protocols and improve case reporting.

Regent Seven Seas has consistently received high scores from the VSP, often exceeding 95 out of 100 in routine inspections. This strong track record may have helped in the swift containment of the recent outbreak.

The CDC says GI outbreaks are common in close-quarters environments, such as cruise ships, and are often linked to norovirus or other pathogens. However, the relatively low infection rate in this case indicates that the situation was effectively managed.

In 2025, there were 23 reported outbreaks, of which 17 were attributed to norovirus. This virus is the most common cause of confirmed GI outbreaks on cruise ships because it spreads easily in tight spaces.

For those planning cruise ship voyages in 2026, Vax-Before-Travel.com reports that no vaccine is currently available for norovirus.