But another statistic in the world of cruising is on the up, and it’s not a good one: the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests 2024 was the worst year for cruise ship-based gastrointestinal outbreaks in over a decade.

There have been at least 16 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships this year, the CDC says, the most in over a decade.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says reported illnesses on cruise ships have hit a 12-year high.

In 2024, cruise ships experienced the highest number of gastrointestinal outbreaks in over a decade, with norovirus as the leading cause, according to CDC data.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified 2024 as the worst year for stomach illness outbreaks on cruise ships in over a decade as Norovirus cases surged in the U.S.