Norwegian Prima Hot Tubs Closed After Legionnaires’ Cases

Norwegian Cruise Line has temporarily closed all public hot tubs and heated whirlpools on private balconies aboard Norwegian Prima while an investigation takes place into three cases of Legionnaires’ disease involving passengers who sailed in May and July 2026.

It has not yet been established where the passengers contracted the infections. Testing conducted onboard for Legionella bacteria has so far returned negative results.

The 143,535-gross-ton Norwegian Prima remains in operation, with no changes made to its scheduled itineraries. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is cooperating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and has contacted affected passengers and crew in accordance with CDC guidance.

“It has not been confirmed if the exposure occurred on the ship or elsewhere,” an NCL spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that the cruise line has stepped up its normal sanitation procedures and will introduce further measures if required.

NCL has carried out testing on a range of fixtures and equipment that use water aboard Prima. These include showers, faucets and hot tubs.

Results have so far been negative, but further sampling is continuing. The specific sailing dates of the passengers diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease have not been made public. The vessel is currently sailing seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral.

Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused when a person inhales mist or tiny droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria. The illness is not normally spread through direct contact between people.

On cruise ships, potential sources of exposure can include hot tubs, showers, plumbing and other equipment or systems capable of producing water mist if Legionella bacteria are present.

Symptoms usually appear between two and 14 days following exposure. They can include fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, headaches and muscle aches. Certain groups face a greater risk of developing the illness, including people aged 50 or older, current and former smokers, individuals with chronic lung conditions and those with weakened immune systems.

NCL has advised passengers who develop symptoms that could be associated with Legionnaires’ disease to seek medical assistance.

The cases linked to passengers who sailed aboard Norwegian Prima follow several other precautionary notifications involving cruise ships. In February, passengers aboard Norwegian Encore were informed about two cases involving guests who had sailed in December 2025. Norwegian Epic passengers received a similar notification in November 2025.

Royal Caribbean also issued notices concerning Symphony of the Seas in January 2025, while Celebrity Cruises notified passengers of two cases involving Celebrity Ascent in January 2024.

Norwegian Prima is scheduled to visit Great Stirrup Cay on September 12 before returning to Port Canaveral on September 13.

According to NCL, the affected hot tubs and whirlpools will remain unavailable until sampling has been completed and any necessary remediation has been carried out in accordance with CDC guidelines.