Cruise Ship Denied Entry To Grand Turk After Gastrointestinal Outbreak Onboard

A gastrointestinal illness outbreak on a cruise ship has left more than 3,000 passengers disappointed after the vessel was denied entry into Grand Turk, its final scheduled stop on a week-long Caribbean journey.

The denial came from authorities in Turks and Caicos on Thursday, May 23, after reviewing a Maritime Health Declaration submitted earlier on May 21 at around 4:10 p.m. The document reported that about 50 people onboard had shown symptoms of illness, ranging from flu-like signs to acute gastroenteritis.

The cruise was on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary, having already visited Princess Cays, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, with the final stop planned in Grand Turk before returning to Fort Lauderdale. However, once local health officials reviewed the declaration, they deemed the situation a public health risk. Their concern was that tourists would be freely mixing with residents in public places like beaches, shops, and restaurants, possibly spreading the illness.

To prevent any potential outbreak ashore, the ship was denied port entry. While some guests expressed frustration at missing Grand Turk, others understood the health concerns. Passengers shared online that the ship’s captain attempted to negotiate with local authorities but was unsuccessful.

Several passengers took to social media to describe the situation. One shared that buffet stations were no longer self-service, and strict handwashing protocols were being enforced. These are standard procedures cruise lines adopt during such outbreaks, which may also include isolating affected guests and collecting samples for testing.

Despite these efforts, some guests complained about fellow travelers not washing hands even after warnings. One passenger said they had booked the cruise specifically for Grand Turk and felt extremely let down.

This incident is the second gastrointestinal illness outbreak on a ship from the same cruise line within the week, and the third across multiple cruise companies. Just days earlier, two other ships had similar issues.

The illness began spreading earlier in the week, during the ship’s second segment of back-to-back voyages. The cruise had originally started on May 10, and this leg began on May 17.

As the outbreak intensified, the cruise line sent an email notification to guests scheduled to board on May 24, informing them of a delay in embarkation due to enhanced disinfection procedures. They clarified that a small number of passengers had reported gastrointestinal symptoms and that the cruise line was working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to thoroughly sanitize the ship before the next set of passengers boarded.

The company also adjusted check-in times and advised guests not to arrive early due to limited terminal space. Those staying in hotels or using arranged transfers were told they would receive updates about revised pick-up times upon arrival.

To offer some relief to affected travelers, the cruise line refunded the port fees for the missed stop in Grand Turk. However, the cruise contract clearly states that itineraries can be changed or canceled at the company’s discretion.

References: CruiseHive, cruise