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National Geographic Sea Bird, operated by Lindblad Expeditions, has experienced gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on two consecutive Southeast Alaskan voyages this month, with nearly 1/3rd of those on board affected during one of the sailings.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incidents represent the third and fourth reported outbreaks aboard the vessel since late May. The ship most recently called at Juneau on July 15th.
The first of the two recent outbreaks occurred during the July 10th–15th voyage, when 19 of the 88 passengers and crew members on board became ill. The affected group included 18 passengers and one crew member. Reported symptoms included vomiting and abdominal cramps.
During the subsequent July 15th–20th voyage, 13 of the 83 passengers and crew members were reported ill, comprising 8 passengers and 5 crew members. Those affected experienced diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal cramps.
In total, 32 passengers and crew members were affected across the two voyages.
The CDC has not yet identified the cause of the latest outbreaks. However, laboratory testing previously confirmed norovirus as the cause of the vessel's first two outbreaks, which occurred in late May and late June.
So far during the 2026 cruise season, the CDC has recorded 9 GI illness outbreaks on cruise ships, with 4 of those involving the Nat Geo Sea Bird.
The vessel had been scheduled to return to Juneau on Saturday, July 25th, but according to Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska, that call has been cancelled.
