66 passengers ill with suspected Norovirus on cruise ship in California

A cruise ship with dozens of sick passengers has made its final stop in Santa Barbara.

The Crown Princess arrived in the harbor about 7 a.m. Wednesday morning traveling from San Francisco.

An estimated 66 people on board are sick with what’s believed to be norovirus. The Santa Barbara County Health Director was on board as of 8 a.m. to determine if it’s safe for the passengers to leave the ship, KEYT in Santa Barbara reported. Dr. Takashi Wada gave the green light for passengers to get off. However, those who are sick remain on board.

Princess Cruise’s spokeswoman Karen Candy said Tuesday that cruise officials believe the cause of the illness is the norovirus.

Norovirus is a family of viruses that is spread person-to-person and causes flu-like symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping.

Candy says the ship’s staff began intense disinfecting of surfaces, and all sick passengers are being encouraged to remain in their rooms.

The Crown Princess is on a seven-day California cruise that began in Los Angeles on Saturday and ends in Santa Barbara.