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Cruise industry faces latest setback
More than 200 passengers on two cruise ships headed to south Florida have been struck down by a gastrointestinal illness.
In the latest setback for the cruise industry, 140 passengers and 18 crew members caught a norovirus on the Crown Princess while another 81 passengers and nine crew member were affected on the Ruby Princess.
The much-publicised outbreaks come just weeks after the tragic sinking of the Costa Concordia which killed at least 17 people.
The industry cut back its marketing activity in the weeks following the tragedy but have now renewed their marketing efforts.
Cruise executives say they don’t expect the skittishness among consumers to last long.
"This was an unheard-of event for our industry and all of us were heartsick to learn of it," said Royal Caribbean chairman Richard Fain.
"But it’s important to note that it’s the very rarity of such an event that makes it so noteworthy."
During a recent five-year period, 100 million passengers took cruises and there were only 16 deaths attributed to marine accidents, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
By David Wilkening
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