The latest norovirus outbreak aboard the Princess Cruises ' Crown Princess has infected 172 people , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . At least 158 of 3,009 passengers and 14 of 1,160 crew members came down with the virus aboard the Crown Princess during a 28-day cruise that docked in Los Angeles on Sunday . This ship had sailed from Los Angeles to Hawaii and Tahiti . Are cruise ships floating petri dishes ? Onboard rapid norovirus testing resulted in positive results of the virus , the CDC investigation update confirmed . `` Over the last few days , the ship began seeing an increased number of gastrointestinal illnesses , caused by norovirus ( commonly referred to as the stomach flu ) , '' said Princess Cruises spokeswoman Susan Lomax , via email . `` In response , we have enacted our stringent disinfecting protocols developed in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) , which includes an extensive deep cleaning of the ship and the terminal in Los Angeles on Sunday before the ship embarks on its next voyage . '' The CDC statement confirmed the ship has implemented CDC sanitation procedures to slow the disease 's spread . The cruise line also made announcements to notify onboard passengers of the outbreak , encouraging hand hygiene and case reporting . Passengers about to board the ship were also supposed to be notified . At least 122 of 3,161 passengers and 30 of 1,176 crew members aboard the Crown Princess were sickened on an April sailing , according to the CDC . The federal agency blamed norovirus and E. Coli for the outbreak . Norovirus is known for being quite contagious . It causes nausea , vomiting and diarrhea and is believed to have infected passengers on a number of cruise ships this year . `` As it is the cold and flu season , when the stomach flu circulates on land , we encourage all of our guests to be diligent in following the widely accepted practices of frequent hand washing with soap and water and the use of hand sanitizers , '' said Lomax . Is your cruise safe ? In February , 114 passengers and 10 crew members took ill on the Holland America cruise ship MS Veendam during a weeklong voyage . In January , more than 600 people on cruise ships sailing in the Caribbean fell ill from the virus , the CDC reported . How the Navy avoids norovirus . Norovirus infects many people on land , but health officials track it on cruise ships , leading to more frequent reporting of cases , the CDC said . It is passed in person-to-person contact and can spread more easily in closed quarters .
158 passengers and 11 crew members come down with norovirus . Princess ##es ' Ocean Princess was on a nearly - month long trip . Public health officials track it on cruise ships , leading to more frequent reporting .