FORT LAUDERDALE - A total of 108 passengers and eight crew members became sick with a stomach virus on a five-day Caribbean cruise that returned home on schedule Saturday, Royal Caribbean International said.
The mass outbreak of a Norwalk-type virus aboard the Enchantment of the Seas was traced to a man who had symptoms two days before boarding the ship Monday, said company spokesman Michael Sheehan.
A cleaning of the 1,950-passenger ship was expected to delay Saturday's scheduled departure a few hours.
Passengers preparing to board were given letters explaining the cleaning delay and were cautioned about the need for proper hand-washing during the cold and flu season.
The cleaning process involves use of disinfectants, especially in "high-touch" areas such as counter tops, railings, exercise equipment, elevator buttons and computer keyboards.
Norwalk-like viruses, which affect 23-million Americans a year, were blamed for a rash of cruise ship illnesses more than a year ago, prompting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate several lines.
Symptoms, which include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, last up to 48 hours and require no special medical treatment.
Sick Enchantment passengers were given over-the-counter medications.
