Norovirus ends cruise

Princess Cruises’ Crown Princess was forced to dock in Los Angeles on Nov. 16 after more than 170 people on board, both crew and passengers, became infected with norovirus. On a voyage that started on Oct. 18, the ship, carrying a total of 4,169 people, was returning from a round trip to ports in Hawaii and Tahiti.

The virus, which causes fever, nausea and diarrhea, struck the same ship in April 2014, infecting 129 people. As it was in April, the Crown Princess will be subjected to rigorous sterilization before continuing on its next voyage.

The virus can be caught by someone touching a surface contaminated with it. The CDC recommends frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers to prevent infection