A lawsuit was filed against Holland America Line last week after dozens of passengers aboard the cruise liner Amsterdam contracted a Norwalk-like virus (inflammation of the lining membrane of the stomach and intestines) during a Caribbean cruise earlier this month. Over 160 of the Amsterdam's 1,900 passengers became sick during the 10-day cruise, which returned to Ft. Lauderdale on November 10. Spread through food and water as well as human touch, the virus causes vomiting and diarrhea for up to 48 hours. The lawsuit is seeking class-action status.

On November 11, the Amsterdam set sail for another Caribbean cruise after it was supposedly disinfected with a chlorine-based solution. Nearly 50 passengers contracted the same illness within the first four days of the trip. Four hundred and ninety-four passengers have reportedly contracted the virus on the Amsterdam's last four voyages.