Legionnaires’ outbreak on two separate cruises linked to this private luxury facility: report

They got more than they paid extra for.

A dozen cruise ship passengers fell ill with Legionnaires’ disease — including 10 who were hospitalized — on two different ships, and health experts believe a luxury private facility is the source, according to a new report.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traced the severe pneumonia-like illness back to private balcony hot tubs offered in the more expensive cabins in the two ships. according to the research published last week.

The holidaymakers fell ill on the two different boats – from unknown cruise lines – between November 2022 and last July.

After months of testing, private hot tubs — which do not require as frequent or stringent cleaning and maintenance as their public counterparts — were found to be the source of the nasty outbreaks, the CDC said in its report.

Eight passengers on one cruise ship contracted Legionnaires’ disease, while four on the other boat became infected. Some travelers became ill on the same voyage, while others became ill on the same ship but on a different voyage.

The hot tubs apparently created the perfect environment for the Legionella bacteria that cause Legionnaires’ disease for months without being detected.

On the first ship, the private balcony hot tubs “were found to have been operated for months in a manner conducive to Legionella growth, including maintaining a water temperature within the Legionella growth range (77°F – 113°F ) for several days without draining and operating without residual disinfectant,” the CDC said.

According to the test results, six of the ten private hot tubs on the first ship were positive for Legionella bacteria, and all eight private hot tubs on the second ship were positive for Legionella bacteria.

All hot tubs were closed and thoroughly cleaned. Both cruise ships have since implemented more preventive measures, including filling the tubs only at the guest’s request, draining them between uses, more frequent cleaning and disinfecting, and removing heating elements.

Hot tubs – on cruise ships or elsewhere – are often perfect breeding grounds for Legionella bacteria.

But cruises have also been known to cause outbreaks of various viruses and diseases, due to the close proximity of guests in an enclosed environment.

Late last month, 180 Royal Caribbean cruise passengers and three crew members arrived developed a gastrointestinal illness with unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal cramps, According to the CDC.