Karipatta

Has anyone stayed in a DA cabin on Deck 6?

Was it OK?

Cheers,

Karipatta

Hi Les,

Boarding went very smoothly - the transfer company picked us up late from our hotel, but had already warned us that would be the case. We embarked 4 1/2 hours before sailing and it seemed we were the only passengers getting on at the time. I had imagined crowds of people and long queues.

The hand wipes are a good idea, but don't rely on them - use only as an adjunct to good old-fashioned soap and water, several times a day - a good long scrub (20 seconds at least) and make sure you do your fingers and thumbs and back of hands, not just the palms. It is really important to wash your hands well before eating or drinking, brushing teeth, smoking or touching the face or eyes, after using the toilet (especially public ones), coughing or sneezing into the hands, shaking hands, touching common surfaces or using exercise equipment, and upon returning to the cabin.

If the Gemini still has the hand sanitizing gel outside of the restaurants, make sure you get a large blob - enough to stay 'wet' while you rub your hands all over for 20 seconds. Most passengers just rubbed their palms together for a couple of seconds - it achieves nothing!

Do I sound obsessive? Anyone would after being as sick as we were :eek:

But I do think we were just unlucky - your cruise will probably go without a hitch.

Cheers, and have a great cruise.

Hi Tracey and Les,

Thanks for the sympathetic comments :)

The Gemini Hong Kong to Singapore was our first cruise, so yeah, I was really disappointed that we all got sick, especially as I can't imagine having another opportunity to go on holiday with my Mum and Dad. We actually lost 6 days out of 10 with one or other of us being ill. I have written to Star Cruises - we will see if they reply. My next cruise is on MSC Orchestra - I've been reading mixed reviews about MSC so have my fingers crossed - a huge ship, quite the opposite to the Gemini.

Les, we started off eating in the Mariner's Buffet, but after a few days we changed to the Ocean Palace for dinner, and mostly for lunch as well. I do think it's better value, and more hygienic than self-serve.

Regarding excursions Hong Kong to Singapore, we loved Nha Trang. The excursion we went on included a visit to the Cham towers of Po Nagar, a 15 minute boat cruise, a coconut farm, a pottery business, a temple, a health care centre, an 'ancient house', and morning tea (fruit - we only ate that which we could peel ourselves). I also went on the Ha Long Bay excursion - it was a huge disappointment - 5 hours cruising in the bay became extremely monotonous with a tour guide who said nothing, and no refreshments offered except a bottle of water. The entire time we were given the hard sell by a women with necklaces, magnets etc. If you are young and fit I would recommend the cave option! Or go to Hanoi - my husband loved it!

For those of you who believe that Aqium gel will keep you safe from contracting norovirus gastroenteritis, don't be fooled. According to The Infection Control Team, St. George’s Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK, in their information leaflet: ‘Norovirus (Winter Vomiting Disease)’, (Oct 2005) “alcohol gel or rub must not be used (to contain an outbreak) as it does not kill Norovirus”

Furthermore, the Public Health Strategic Healthcare Group, a division of The United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs, claims in the September/October 2004 publication of their magazine, Vanguard, that “alcohol-based hand rubs do not kill certain infectious agents, including Norovirus and the bacterium Clostridium difficile.” It claims, “If these two are a problem in your facility, use antimicrobial soap, plenty of water, and lots of hand rubbing.”

The other important thing to know about Norovirus is that anyone who has had it remains infectious for 48 to 72 hours after resolution of vomiting and diarrhoea. Isolation of sick patients should be compulsory.

I was on the Hong Kong to Singapore leg of the recent Gemini cruise with the Norovirus outbreak. My entire family became sick and we had used Aqium gel constantly. We were disgusted that we were not warned before we embarked at Hong Kong, that there was a gastroenteritis outbreak onboard - 18 people were stiill being treated. My parents are 87. Not only did they contract the norovirus, they also became sick with influenza. My mother is still not well and we have been home two weeks. I can understand there can be outbreaks of sickness on a cruise ship, but we should have been given the option, before embarkation in Hong Kong, to cancel or defer.