Norovirus outbreak on 2 cruises leaves nearly 200 people sick [Video]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A cruise ship that sailed out of Tampa earlier this month had an unwelcome passenger onboard its voyage to Los Angeles — a stomach bug made its way around the deck. 

Meanwhile, a cruise taking people on a tour of Hawaii and other Pacific Islands had an outbreak and is set to return home on May 7. The Sapphire Princess ship from Princess Cruises saw the “stomach flu” spread to 114 passengers, the CDC investigation said.

10 Tampa Bay has reached out to Royal Caribbean for comment on this story.

What is norovirus?

Commonly called the “cruise flu,” “stomach flu” or a “stomach bug,” the CDC describes norovirusas “the leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea and foodborne illness in the United States.” The gastrointestinal illness is extremely contagious and spreads when an infected …