Some passengers aboard a cruise ship touring the West Coast are having a rough trip.
Princess Cruises confirms that 83 of the more than 3,000 passengers on its Crown Princess ship have contracted a stomach ailment called the Norovirus. It's extremely contagious.
Earlier this week, the cruise line reported 37 ill passengers, which has now more than doubled.
On Monday, the ship docked in San Francisco for several hours before leaving for Santa Barbara. After Santa Barbara, the ship is expected to arrive in San Diego on Thursday. The Crown Princess will then visit Ensenada before returning to Los Angeles April 12.
The cruise line said none of the passengers had elected to leave the ship and that everyone onboard is instructed to frequently wash their hands, a key step in stopping the spread of the virus.
The ship’s staff has enhanced the sanitation of high-touch surfaces, like railing, door handles and elevator buttons. Additionally, sick passengers confined to their cabins until they are no longer contagious.
There are a total of 3,161 passengers and 1,176 crew members onboard. At last check, 66 passengers and 17 crew members had contracted Norovirus.
Local
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) told NBC 7 that they have been in constant communication with the Crown Princess but are not planning to go onboard at this time. The CDC said it is monitoring the situation and the ship's efforts to keep the disease from spreading.
The West Coast cruise lasts seven days. The itinerary starts and ends in Los Angeles.
