National Geographic Sea Bird Cancels Trip After Fourth Virus Outbreak Affects Passengers
The National Geographic Sea Bird, a small cruise ship operating in Southeast Alaska, has experienced four gastrointestinal illness outbreaks since May 26, leading to the cancellation of a scheduled trip from Juneau. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the ship is the only vessel with multiple outbreaks in 2026. The most recent outbreak occurred between July 15-20, affecting eight passengers and five crew members. The cause of the illness remains unknown, although previous outbreaks were attributed to norovirus. Lindblad Expeditions, the ship's operator, decided to cancel the July 25-30 voyage after consulting with experts, citing the need to prioritize passenger safety. 
