New Delhi, Sept. 30 -- More than 70 passengers and a crew member on a Royal Caribbean International cruise fell sick due to a gastrointestinal illness outbreak on board. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked the outbreak to norovirus.

The norovirus outbreak happened on the Serenade of the Seas. The vessel departed San Diego on September 19 for a 13-night voyage and is due to dock in Miami on October 2. It has 1,874 passengers and 883 crew on board.

CDC officials said the illness was caused by norovirus. Common symptoms reported include diarrhea and vomiting. About 3.9 per cent of the ship's population was affected. The agency confirmed that those showing symptoms were quickly isolated.

"Reporting gastrointestinal ...