Norovirus Outbreak Sickens 189, Docks Second Cruise Ship This Week
In the second such instance this week, a cruise ship returned to its home port early after a significant number of passengers came down with a gastrointestinal illness. Princess Cruises' Caribbean Princess arrived back in Houston late Thursday, after more than 160 of the ship's 3,104 passengers experienced symptoms consistent with a norovirus infection, according to USA Today.
In a statement issued late today, the cruise line said the reason for bringing the Caribbean Princess back early was not the norovirus outbreak — "despite some media reports" — but an impending "fog event" that would likely close the port of Houston for much of the weekend. Princess Cruises' statement further explained: