Norwegian Cruise Line says the passengers traveled on board the 'Norwegian Encore' in December 2025
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NEED TO KNOW
- Two cruise passengers who sailed on the Norwegian Encore in December 2025 have been diagnosed with a pneumonia-type illness, according to a letter from the cruise line, obtained by Cruise Hive
- Legionnaires’ disease is known to cause a cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches and shortness of breath
- The CDC says most people exposed to the bacteria don’t get sick, but certain factors put people more at risk
Norwegian Cruise Line is informing its customers of two passengers who were recently diagnosed with a type of pneumonia following a sailing onboard the Encore cruise ship last year.
In a Feb. 12 letter addressed to Norwegian Encore guests, obtained by Cruise Hive, the cruise line states the company is working with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) “to investigate two cases of Legionnaires’ disease in two passengers” who traveled aboard the vessel in December 2025.
“Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria,” the letter says. “People can become ill when they breathe in tiny water droplets containing the bacteria.”
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The letter explains the disease is not spread from person to person, instead droplets can “occasionally form from fixtures like hot tubs, showers, bathtubs with jets, decorative fountains and misters.”
The CDC says symptoms for the disease typically develop between two and 14 days after exposure to the bacteria, but can take longer. Symptoms are similar to that of pneumonia and can include cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, shortness of breath and even confusion, diarrhea or nausea.
The department states most people exposed to the Legionella bacteria don’t get sick. However, certain people — like those over 50, current or former smokers and those with preexisting health concerns — may be at increased risk.
In response to the reported cases, Norwegian says they are “conducting Legionella testing onboard” including testing devices that include water fixtures, like hot tubs, showers and faucets.
“Thus far, all test results have been negative,” Norwegian says in the letter. “At this time, it is not known whether the two past guests diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease were exposed through the ship’s water system or another source.”
The company subsequently encouraged anyone currently traveling or who recently traveled on board the Norwegian Encore that is experiencing symptoms within 14 days of their cruise’s end to contact the ship’s medical staff and “seek medical attention right away.”
PEOPLE has reached out to Norwegian Cruise Line and the CDC for comment.
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In October 2024, the CDC released a report on an unrelated similar case regarding 12 cases of Legionnaires’ disease spread across travelers on two cruise ships between November 2022 and June 2024.
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The study found that private balcony hot tubs “were the likely source of exposure in two outbreaks,” citing that these are "subject to less stringent operating requirements than are public hot tubs.”
The department added: “Cruise lines and the hospitality industry should be aware of hot tub features that increase the risk for Legionella growth and transmission, including outdoor use, retention of water between uses, and the presence of recirculation, filtration, or heating systems.”
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