Cabin Fever

“Riveting… It’s an impressive example of narrative journalism…A worthy addition to the historical record.”—Associated Press

“The best nonfiction, in my mind, reads like a novel. It’s filled with compelling characters and takes you to a place you’d never otherwise experience. It tells a story that grabs you by the throat and won’t let you stop reading. Cabin Fever falls into that category…I couldn’t put [it] down.”—Star Tribune

“Cabin Fever is riveting, taut, and extensively researched. Smith and Franklin have written a page-turning adventure that will keep you reading late into the night.”—Martin Dugard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Taking Paris

“Cabin Fever reads like a terrific thriller; the fact that everything in it actually happened makes it even more of a page-turner. It’s a riveting book from start to finish.”—Dave Barry, New York Times bestselling author of Tricky Business and Insane City

“Cabin Fever is a gripping account of how an invisible stowaway—the Covid-19 virus—transformed a fun-filled luxury cruise into an unimaginable nightmare. Through in-depth interviews with passengers and crew, Smith and Franklin bring the reader on board the fated Zaandam, day-by-day and cabin-by-cabin, as one of the world’s preeminent cruise ships veered into devastating crisis.”—Sara Gay Forden, bestselling author of House of Gucci

“In this gripping work of narrative nonfiction, journalists Smith and Franklin share the stories of the passengers and crew of Holland America’s Zaandam… The authors skillfully capture the fear and claustrophobia that set in as increasing numbers of passengers and crew members began to fall victim to the then-mysterious illness, requiring quarantine, as well as the struggles they faced during their journey back home and beyond. A riveting real-life drama that may reawaken your Covid-19 fears.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Journalists Smith and Franklin report with vivid detail in this humanizing account of the voyage of anguish and isolation on Holland America’s virus-assaulted Zaandam, revealing the experiences of both crew and passengers…Though there’s much to explore pertaining to the pandemic and the cruise ship industry, Smith and Franklin chose to focus on the resourcefulness and altruism of the crew. The result is a well-written, fast-paced, real-life thriller highlighting people caught in a nightmare situation and their triumph over adversity.”—Booklist