(Image Source: Princess Cruises ) 

BY STACEY WELSH

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA


An outbreak on two Florida cruise ships left passengers feeling a different kind of seasick. Hundreds of passengers on the Ruby Princess and Crown Princess caught a norovirus --- causing vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain.


Victims won’t suffer effects for more than a couple of days. The Los Angeles Times says noroviruses are…


“ … no cause for hysteria, but they’re far from pleasant ... They can also cause a low fever, headaches and muscle aches.”


The CDC warns prospective passengers about noroviruses, saying they’re found…


“ … in the stool or vomit of infected people and on infected surfaces that have been touched by ill people. Outbreaks occur more often where there are more people in a small area.”


The illness is often associated with ships because outbreaks are reported quickly, and health officials can track how it’s spread faster than on land. According to Huliq.com , this isn’t the first time sickness broke out on a Princess Cruises ship.


“Between May and July 2011, there were three outbreaks reported for the Sea Princess. [The ship] was headed to Alaska.”


Princess says it has solved the problem after employees and passengers were careful to wash their hands often.


WPLG reports the cruise line stepped up cleaning procedures and quarantined sick passengers after people first reported symptoms.


“TERESA: Sometimes it seems a little overdone, because you had to sterilize your hands as soon as you went in to eat.”


And comparisons to the Costa Concordia incident were abound. The New York Daily News writes ...


“The hits keep coming for the cruise industry.”


And a writer for Gawker says …


“I plan on avoiding all cruise ships for the rest of the year — barring the 3D extravaganza of Titanic 's  April re-release.”

 


Media outlets report Princess Cruises delayed the next departure times for both ships.