Norovirus outbreak sickens 277 on Oasis of the Seas

Norovirus outbreak sickens 277 on Oasis of the Seas forcing Royal Caribbean to turn around and give everyone a FULL refund – as cruise line expects to next depart in two days

  • Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas is returning to a Florida port a day early after 277 guest and staff were hit with an outbreak of Norovirus
  • The trip was headed to Jamaica but will return to Port Canaveral on Saturday
  • Passengers took to social media on Wednesday, tweeting they were forced to stay onboard after docking in Falmouth, Jamaica
  • Company plans on giving passengers full refunds 
  • Oasis of the Seas is expected to take off again on Sunday 

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas is returning to a Florida port a day early and giving passengers full refunds of their fare after 277 guests and crew members were hit with an outbreak of Norovirus as it sailed to Jamaica.

Cruise line spokesman Owen Torres told AP that ‘we think the right thing to do is get everyone home early rather than have guests worry about their health.’

He says the ship will return to Port Canaveral on Saturday. It sailed from there Sunday on a seven-day Caribbean cruise.

 

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas is returning to a Florida port a day early after 277 guest and staff were hit with an outbreak of Norovirus

The trip was headed to Jamaica but will return to Port Canaveral on Saturday as staff will then rush to clean the ship so that it can be ready in time for the next departure

The trip was headed to Jamaica but will return to Port Canaveral on Saturday as staff will then rush to clean the ship so that it can be ready in time for the next departure

Torres says returning a day early gives the cruise line ‘more time to completely clean and sanitize the ship’ before it sails again. 

Passengers took to social media on Wednesday, tweeting they were forced to stay onboard after docking in Falmouth, Jamaica, for what was supposed to be a day of excursions.

‘One hell of a time on #OasisoftheSeas I took a week off from work to sail on a boat for 6 days. @RoyalCaribbean this is NOT the trip we purchased. #completechaos,’ asserted one woman.

Passengers took to social media on Wednesday, tweeting they were forced to stay onboard after docking in Falmouth, Jamaica, for what was supposed to be a day of excursions

Passengers took to social media on Wednesday, tweeting they were forced to stay onboard after docking in Falmouth, Jamaica, for what was supposed to be a day of excursions

Another added: ‘I’m on the Oasis of the Seas cruise ship right now and over 2% of the boat is sick. We just got word that they’ve cancelled the rest of the trip and are bringing us back to Florida.’ 

‘We docked in Foulmouth, Jamaica, yesterday and weren’t allowed off the boat because of the outbreak. 

One passenger, Alan Thomas, shared that the cruise line was ‘doing everything they can to contain the situation.’

An employee pours hot water for guest on the cruise

The same employee also poured coffee for those who wanted it

One passenger, Alan Thomas, shared that the cruise line was ‘doing everything they can to contain the situation’ including having staff serve guest if they wanted food or drink

He added: 'Exceptional food handling and disinfecting procedures implemented. Surfaces in guest areas being disinfected multiple times per day. Self serve tongs are done, crew serving all food and drinks to avoid transfer between guests'

He added: ‘Exceptional food handling and disinfecting procedures implemented. Surfaces in guest areas being disinfected multiple times per day. Self serve tongs are done, crew serving all food and drinks to avoid transfer between guests’

He added: ‘Exceptional food handling and disinfecting procedures implemented. Surfaces in guest areas being disinfected multiple times per day. Self serve tongs are done, crew serving all food and drinks to avoid transfer between guests.’ 

The man shared that the Jamaican government wouldn’t let anyone off the ship. 

Thomas also posted a letter that Goran Peterson, Master of the Oasis of the Seas, sent to guest on the cruise before they canceled the cruise altogether. 

Thomas also posted a letter that Goran Peterson, Master of the Oasis of the Seas, sent to guest on the cruise before they canceled the cruise altogether

Thomas also posted a letter that Goran Peterson, Master of the Oasis of the Seas, sent to guest on the cruise before they canceled the cruise altogether

When folks began asking if the virus would impact future trips, Royal Caribbean responded on social that those trips would go on

When folks began asking if the virus would impact future trips, Royal Caribbean responded on social that those trips would go on

‘We hope all the information in this letter helps you understand the importance Royal Carribbean places on the health and safety of every one of our guests and crew members,’ said Peterson. ‘Like you, we want to ensure that every guest’s cruise is a fun, relaxing and healthy experience.’ 

When folks began asking if the virus would impact future trips, Royal Caribbean responded on social that those trips would go on. 

‘Unfortunately, we did experience an outbreak on the current Oasis sailing,’ the company said on Twitter. ‘I see you’ll be boarding on Sunday, but no need to worry. We’re taking all necessary precautions to ensure your safety as well.’

 

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