On Dec 15, 2015, the "Explorer of the Seas" was docked in Sydney with more than 180 passengers suffering from gastro.
Paramedics were on standby as the passengers disembarked the ship at Sydney’s Circular Quay.
The gastro outbreak started on 5 December and peaked on Dec 11 and 12. More than 180 guests and crew have been struck with the gastrointestinal illness norovirus.
The "Explorer of the Seas" arrived from New Zealand about 6 a.m. with 3,566 passengers and 1,139 crew on a 14-night trip.
Royal Caribbean confirmed 182 cases of an increased level of gastrointestinal illness. Those affected by the short-lived illness have responded well to over-the-counter medication administered on-board the ship.
The South Eastern Sydney local health district said the outbreak was under control. No patient had to be removed from the ship prematurely, or taken to hospital. With new passengers due to board before it left port on Dec 16 evening, the ship and terminal were sanitized to prevent any spread of the illness.
All new guests received a letter at boarding asking them to advise if they had experienced any gastrointestinal symptoms within the past three days.