Norovirus Nightmare on Celebrity Ascent — Deeply Disappointing Experience and Insulting Compensation
I joined the Celebrity Ascent in July 2025 from Barcelona for what was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip as an Asian traveler—flying 14 hours just to board the ship. It was even more special because I was celebrating my mother’s 70th birthday, a memory we hoped would last a lifetime. However, our dream cruise turned into a nightmare due to a norovirus outbreak onboard. After eating raw oysters at Raw on 5, I became severely ill with incessant vomiting and diarrhea. The worst moment was having to vomit on the tender boat in front of dozens of other passengers—an intensely humiliating experience. We both shared the same food and cabin, yet only I was forcibly quarantined in our tiny cabin for 24 hours. During this time: My mother, despite being a direct contact and eating the same oysters, was allowed to roam the ship, use the buffet, and swim in the pool. How does this make sense as a public health measure? Quarantine care was minimal: food delivery was delayed, and there was barely any communication from staff. I was forced to wash my own soiled clothes, with my mother—who was supposed to be celebrating—helping me clean after the ordeal. After disembarking in Greece, I reached out to Celebrity Cruises asking for fair compensation. Not only did they dismiss my detailed account and timeline, but the compensation offered was shockingly low—an amount that completely ignores the severity of what we went through. It doesn’t even begin to cover the ruined experience for both myself and especially my mother, whose special birthday was overshadowed by these events. Celebrity Cruises blamed outside food sources, despite all my symptoms starting right after the onboard meal. The company’s response felt like a complete disregard for our situation and the basic responsibility they owe to their guests. I’d love to hear from anyone with similar experiences, whether with norovirus outbreaks or appalling compensation responses—especially on this ship or with this brand. Has anyone successfully escalated cases like this through travel insurance or consumer protection? Any tips on getting heard, or did you face the same indifference? How did you deal with ruined milestone trips or personal events? Thank you for listening to my story. I hope Celebrity Cruises takes real responsibility, not just for me, but for all guests who deserve fair treatment—especially when a special trip turns into a disaster through no fault of their own. If you’d like suggestions for specific platforms or additional language for escalation letters, let me know!
