An outbreak of norovirus has cast a shadow over the holiday plans of passengers aboard Holland America Line’s Rotterdam. During its current voyage that began on December 8, 2024, and won’t conclude until December 20, 83 passengers and 12 crew members – 5 percent of the vessel’s total capacity – have fallen ill to the highly contagious virus.

This is the only month this year in which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported three confirmed norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships. In all, 301 passengers and crew members fell ill during the December outbreaks,