Watching a cruise ship being built can be fascinating. Yet, actually going on one? That’s a whole different thing. Each cruise ship feels like its own bustling little city, filled to the brim with all sorts of folks—many of whom can be, well, quite demanding and very sunburned. Unfortunately, according to the Centers for Disease Control, things have taken a turn for the worse: several popular cruise spots are experiencing dengue fever outbreaks. Great, right?
This isn’t the first instance of illness on cruise ships. Earlier this year, the Queen Mary 2 dealt with a norovirus outbreak after a record number of stomach bugs plagued ships in 2024. But this time, it’s not just isolated to one vessel. The outbreak spans multiple continents—places like Mexico, Panama, and Caribbean islands such as Saint Lucia, which are among the go-to ports for cruises departing from the United States. With so many people crammed onto these ships, it’s easy for diseases to spread rapidly. And yet, some people still want to book a trip? On the same boats where they’ve reportedly put deceased bodies in drink coolers? Really?
Cruises: Not good
Dengue is carried by mosquitoes, and those little creatures are pretty good at moving around. Even if you decide to stay on the ship during a stop at a port where the outbreak is happening, infected mosquitoes could still potentially make their way on board and bite you. The symptoms? Well, you could be looking at headaches, fever, rashes, nausea, and vomiting. Not exactly fun. Honestly, if you’re considering a vacation, why not just visit somewhere like Toronto? It might not be tropical, but the food is likely to be a lot better, and you can actually leave whenever you want.
It’s worth noting that not all major cruise destinations are hit by this outbreak; for instance, Alaska seems to be in the clear. However, with several ports experiencing mosquito issues, it might be a good idea to think twice about your next cruise. Do you really want to find yourself trapped on a boat with an assortment of loud and sticky families? Probably not.
