(CNN) – More than 130 cruise ship passengers reported suffering from a gastrointestinal disease after setting sail from Los Angeles on July 4. The cause of the outbreak has not been determined.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 134 passengers on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas — or 3.4 percent of the cruise’s total passenger list of 3,900 people — reported feeling ill. Seven members of the crew were also affected, out of a total of 1,266 staff members.

The outbreak was reported to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) on July 11 when the weeklong Royal Caribbean cruise returned to Los Angeles to dock after the trip was over.

According to records compiled by the VSP, there have been 18 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships under the program’s jurisdiction so far this year, mainly related to Norovirus.

That’s the same number of outbreaks reported all of last year, according to incidents logged by the CDC.

While it’s unclear what caused the outbreak on the Royal Caribbean ship, passengers experienced diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, the CDC said in a post this week about the Navigator of the Seas outbreak.

In April, about 250 passengers on the Queen Mary 2 reported coming down with the highly contagious norovirus.

That disease has a reputation as “the cruise ship virus,” infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told CNN Travel earlier this year.

That’s because it spreads easily, and anyone in close quarters — like cruise ships — is extra susceptible. Such outbreaks also frequently occur in schools and jails — wherever large groups of people gather in tight spaces.

But the CDC hasn’t determined yet if the culprit on the Navigator of the Seas was norovirus.

“The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority,” a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson told CNN Travel. “To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines.”

The CDC says Royal Caribbean reported boosting its cleaning and disinfection procedures and also collected specimens from infected passengers, after isolating anyone who was ill.

CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen said that while infectious diseases can be “very unpleasant,” they typically “pass within 1 to 2 days.”

While the cause remains unknown in this case, Dr. Wen reiterated that precautions such as thorough hand washing are critical. She also noted that norovirus is not killed by alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are commonly used.

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When someone commits a crime, there is typically a process. Depending on the level of crime, you receive a punishment. Some crimes go to trial, some result in a mere ticket. Others could land you in prison for a very long time. In addition to the type of crime, the place in which you commit it alters how you will receive punishment. So, what happens if you commit a crime on vacation? Usually, you have to abide by that country’s rules. However, what about if you are out at sea? Experts have now answered that question by revealing the truth behind how crimes are handled on cruise ships.

How Crime Is Handled While On Cruise Ships

LadBible shares the ins and outs of handling crime while on cruise ships. Let’s face it, it is not as simple as on land. When on land, you have police forces readily available to tackle any issues that arise. However, on cruise ships, that is not the case. So, what is done to handle any trouble that arises? If there are trouble-makers on cruise ships, they are typically detained.

However, how do they know which rules to follow when they are in international waters? LadBible shares that “Cruise ships are often registered in countries like Panama, the Bahamas, or Liberia- known as ‘flags of convenience’- to avoid taxes, safety regulations, and labor laws.” Additionally, they share that “the ship operates under the laws of the country where it’s registered and not necessarily where it sails.”

While crime on cruise ships is low, it does happen. Cruise ship security acts similarly to police in the sense that they will intervene and handle the individuals causing said crime. However, unlike police officers, security does not have the authority to arrest anyone. Instead, they just detain them. In regard to detaining, this could mean being confined to their room, having their room card blocked, or being prohibited from making additional purchases.

If the cruise is smaller, these disgruntled individuals may be confined to their rooms. However, larger ships may offer “brig-like” spaces or secure rooms to detain passengers, causing issues. At the end of the day, it is the captain of the ship who has the final say in how to deal with any crime that arises onboard.

Several renowned Houston hotels and resorts were just declared the best in the world by Travel + Leisure readers, according to the publication’s annual World’s Best Awards.

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa was honored as the No. 1 best resort in Texas, while the prestigious Post Oak Hotel ranked as the No. 7 best hotel in the nation. Among T+L’s list of the 15 best hotels in Texas, four more distinguished Houston properties made the cut.

Every year, Travel + Leisure surveys its readers to determine the ultimate travel experiences around the world, which include the top hotels, resorts, travel destinations, and more. The 2025 survey had more than 180,000 responses from T+L readers with over 657,000 votes across 8,700 accommodations, cruise lines, and other properties.

The Houstonian Hotel reclaimed the top spot for 2025 after previously slipping into No. 4 in 2024. The publication celebrated this “serene sanctuary” for its numerous sports and fitness activities, plus its rejuvenating 26,500-square-foot spa, pool, and jacuzzi. The resort’s location next to Memorial Park also provides guests with the feeling that they’ve escaped the hustle and bustle of the city.

The full list of best Texas resorts, in order, are:

• The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, Houston
• Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa, Frisco
• JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio
• Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin
• Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine