A seasoned Royal Caribbean cruiser, who has spent a significant portion of his retirement at sea, is not allowing a recent experience with norovirus aboard the ship to deter his adventurous spirit, as he plans for his 26th voyage.
Bob Pettit, 87, is among nearly 100 passengers on the Royal Caribbean International vessel, Serenade of the Seas, who contracted norovirus shortly after departing from San Diego.
This 13-day journey, which includes stops in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia, has not allowed Pettit and his son Josh to fully enjoy the destinations due to the outbreak.
“I’m 87 years old, and I’ve never felt this unwell in my life,” Pettit shared with NBC 6.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the outbreak as a certified incident, one of several reported on cruise ships this year.
As of Wednesday, 94 passengers and four crew members had reported illness, according to the CDC.
“It really hits you hard. violently,” Pettit recounted regarding the illness.
“It begins with an upset stomach,” he explained, recalling that his symptoms intensified a few days after embarking on the cruise.
Common symptoms of norovirus include diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches, and fever, as noted by the CDC.
Norovirus outbreaks are frequently reported on cruise ships and at large gatherings in confined environments.
The most effective method to prevent the spread in such close quarters is quarantine, a step Pettit took, but unfortunately, it was not sufficient to halt the outbreak.
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His son, Josh, expressed that they would consider taking additional precautions in the future to mitigate their risk of infection.
“You’re touching things like chairs, salt and pepper shakers, and we’re definitely more mindful of that, making sure to clean our hands before eating,” Josh remarked.
Royal Caribbean has assured passengers that their crew is actively working to minimize further transmission and support passengers through the latter part of the trip.
“The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit is our utmost priority. To foster an environment that supports the highest health and safety standards onboard, we enforce rigorous cleaning protocols, many of which surpass public health recommendations,” stated Royal Caribbean.
The father-son pair maintained a positive outlook and refuse to let their illness overshadow their current cruise or future vacation plans, hoping to embark on a remarkable 26th adventure.
“Hopefully, we’re turning a corner and things are improving,” Josh said to the outlet.
They are scheduled to return to Miami on Thursday.
This year, the CDC has recorded a staggering 19 gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruises, with 14 attributed to norovirus.
Three of these norovirus outbreaks occurred on Royal Caribbean vessels.
