Originally reported January 28, 2008.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness involving 143 passengers and crew members aboard Carnival Cruise Lines’ Holiday after the ship returned to Mobile in January 2008.
The vessel had completed a four-day cruise to Cozumel. WKRG reported that 121 passengers and 22 crew members became ill with sudden nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
The CDC was analyzing laboratory specimens to identify the cause and had not confirmed whether norovirus was involved. Officials said shipboard outbreak reviews can include inspections of food storage and restroom sanitation.
The report said the Holiday had experienced a similar illness outbreak in 2003. Despite the 2008 incident, the manager of Mobile’s cruise terminal said the ship was scheduled to depart again that afternoon. This article records a historical public-health event, not the current health status of any cruise line or vessel.