United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Nearly 200 Royal Caribbean passengers struck down with gastro bug
Almost 200 passengers have been struck down with a gastro bug on mega ocean liner Ovation of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean says 195 cruisers have complained of gastro-intestinal illness and are being treated with over-the-counter medicines.
The ship, one of the world’s largest able to carry 5,800, left Singapore on November 23 and docked in Hobart, Tasmania on Tuesday.
The Tasmanian Health Service is working with the cruise line to stem the spread of the outbreak.
"Cruise ships have their own medical teams, medical surveillance systems, outbreak control measures and are well-trained in treating passengers. The ship has notified health services of two passengers that are likely to require transfer to a hospital for medical assistance.These two cases are not necessarily linked to the gastroenteritis outbreak," a Tasmanian Health Service spokesperson said.
The ship will be ‘comprehensively sanitised and cleansed’ when it docks in Sydney on Thursday and before new passengers board, the cruise line said.
"Meanwhile, we’re taking steps like intensive sanitary procedures to minimise the risk of any further issues."
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Foreign Office issues travel advisory for winter sun destinations