Royal Caribbean on Avoiding Norovirus on a Cruise

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Photo by Freeimages.com/Dalibor Ogrizovic

An outbreak of norovirus struck three more U.S.-based cruise ships over the weekend, the Associated Press (AP) reports via ABC News, and Royal Caribbean has posted a blog advising travelers on how to avoid getting sick.

Princess CruisesRuby Princess and Crown Princess, as well as Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas, were decontaminated Sunday in Port Everglades after an outbreak of the disease, according to the AP via ABC News. Norovirus, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain, is highly contagious and spreads from person to person via contaminated food, water and surfaces.

According to Royal Caribbean’s blog, to prevent illness travelers should:

Wash their hands- especially before eating or preparing food and after using the bathroom
Avoid shaking hands during an outbreak
Avoid preparing food for others for up to three days after falling ill
Wash laundry that may be contaminated with stool or vomit

Read Royal Caribbean’s full blog here and the AP story here.