National Geographic Lindblad gastrointestinal outbreak: Timeline, symptoms, what's being done

For the fourth time within two months, a gastrointestinal illness has hit the National Geographic Sea Bird, a small expedition cruise ship operating in Southeast Alaska

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the recent outbreak occurred during the vessel’s July 15 voyage, with eight of 57 passengers and five crew members reporting illness.

Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. This follows another outbreak on the preceding July 10-15 sailing, which affected 18 passengers and one crew member, nearly a third of those on board. The cause of the two latest outbreaks hasn’t been identified yet by the CDC. However, norovirus was behind the outbreaks in late May and late June.

Responding to the current circumstances, operator Lindblad Expeditions cancelled three scheduled sailings set for July 20, July 25, and July 30. The company cited “to conduct enhanced sanitation protocols aligned with the highest industry standards” as the reason for cancellation in an official statement. Affected passengers are offered refunds and alternative travel arrangements.

The Sea Bird, which was to dock at Juneau on July 25, did not make the call. The ship makes up four out of the nine gastrointestinal outbreaks documented by the CDC on cruise ships so far in 2026.

Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread easily in crowded places such as cruise ships. According to the CDC, more than 90% of the GI outbreaks in cruise ships are caused by norovirus, which resists normal cleaning procedures and does not have any known vaccines.

Although often related to cruises, ships account for just 1% of all norovirus outbreaks reported in the country. The majority of the outbreaks happen in communities such as nursing homes and day care centers.

The Sea Bird, which carries just 57 passengers, is currently operating in Alaska waters.