NOROVIRUS on Solstice

Disagree , it's not bad housekeeping.

It's the persons on board not having decent hygiene for eg, not washing hands after toilet then touching surfaces throughout the ship. That is only 1 eg there are lots more. Each person should take their own responsibility re cleanliness to improve this current problem. You can't just blame housekeeping who work their butts off to make our cruise product clean and enjoyable.

I have not traveled on this trip, but know from publications that this ship has an ongoing problem with NORO VIRUS! the last few cruise had people with that virus on the ship! there seems to be no eradication of this bug , due to bad housekeeping! I am traveling on the ship Nov 25, I hope they can fix that infection! Can we get a confirmation that proper desinfecation will take place before we board! reports on the last 2 previous cruises all mention NOROVIRUS! what reassurances is celebrity going to give us, including a money back guaranty! The reputation of celebrity ships is going downhill very fast, there seems to be no care and attantion to hygene and public relations on any of the celebrity ships! This is not very nice ,when you know that you are likely to be exposed to virus infections on the ship! maybe somebody has the right connections to actually get through to celebrity. :eek:

Read the previous threads on the Solstice, they are doing the best they can. Your comments are just outrageous and lack any sense of reality. Just a hit job.

Housekeeping? It’s passengers that don’t utilize proper hygiene, or are in contact with the virus prior to embarkation.

Don’t blame the diligent crew for perpetuating the virus. They do everything to eradicate it.

This OP has this entirely wrong.

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Never understood why people worry about the Norm virus, Yes, it can ruin a cruise, but that is the chances one must take, ALL travel is not risk free.

Disagree , it's not bad housekeeping.

It's the persons on board not having decent hygiene for eg, not washing hands after toilet then touching surfaces throughout the ship. That is only 1 eg there are lots more. Each person should take their own responsibility re cleanliness to improve this current problem. You can't just blame housekeeping who work their butts off to make our cruise product clean and enjoyable.

but this is an ongoing problem, suggesting that the cleanup between trips is not good enough!

sofar at least 4 consecetive trips all have the novovirus problem! that is not usual!!!

the enforcement of handcleaning on entry and dining rooms is not well managed!

Yes there are pigs amongst guests they reach for the food with bare hands, especially unsupervised kids!!!!! It is not all the ships problem but it should be kept under control!

LOL, okay, where is Typhoid Mary???

OP will you find her and confine her to her cabin while sailing!

bon voyage

Not an easy virus to kill.

I am starting to lean towards it bring a crew issue. This is the 4th or 5th cruise where it has been detected. Maybe it’s jus5 bad luck that it’s being bought on each cruise.

It would normally run its course by now.

Several years ago we were on the last sailing of Constellation before she went to Hamburg for solsticization. I think, nearly the entire ship was renewed. We did not have Noro on our sailing. The first sailing after the refit and the next 4, I believe, had Noro. I can only conclude from that, that passengers can also bring the virus on board, maybe innocently.

I agree with others that hand washing is very important. I thought staff on our Equinox cruise, which we got off last Mon, were very diligent with the hand sanitizer. I remember one day getting the squirt 3 times in about 5 minutes.

Noro is horrible for everyone but I think when it is on a ship the crew work their butts off. Maybe it is time to stop the self service in the buffet.

but this is an ongoing problem, suggesting that the cleanup between trips is not good enough!

sofar at least 4 consecetive trips all have the novovirus problem! that is not usual!!!

the enforcement of handcleaning on entry and dining rooms is not well managed!

Yes there are pigs amongst guests they reach for the food with bare hands, especially unsupervised kids!!!!! It is not all the ships problem but it should be kept under control!

The pigs are mainly adults with disgusting personal habits and no common sense around food. People who come onboard and lie about recent health issues so they won't miss the cruise. I have seen he crew scrubbing endlessly , but all it takes is one selfish cruiser to ruin it . The crew can't follow every person with a disinfectant

but this is an ongoing problem, suggesting that the cleanup between trips is not good enough!

sofar at least 4 consecetive trips all have the novovirus problem! that is not usual!!!

the enforcement of handcleaning on entry and dining rooms is not well managed!

Yes there are pigs amongst guests they reach for the food with bare hands, especially unsupervised kids!!!!! It is not all the ships problem but it should be kept under control!

Yes there may be issues with passengers, but seems to me this is on ship and not removed before new passengers embark.

Why not contact Celebrity directly. I found googling for their CEO and then sending an email got answers.

I also find it horrendous that someone on here should simply write the virus off as a hazard of sailing, if that were true every ship would be infected every journey. No this has something to do with this ship and needs sortimg for future passengers.

Yes there may be issues with passengers, but seems to me this is on ship and not removed before new passengers embark.

 

Why not contact Celebrity directly. I found googling for their CEO and then sending an email got answers.

 

I also find it horrendous that someone on here should simply write the virus off as a hazard of sailing, if that were true every ship would be infected every journey. No this has something to do with this ship and needs sortimg for future passengers.

You obviously don't understand how viruses work. It is people. Always people.

Just got off the Solstice on Saturday. No noro among our group of 6. The crew is diligent!!! working 14 hour days to eradicate. Every possible precaution is in place. No salt, pepper, sugar, or bread on tables. The buffet is wrapped in plastic-all food, drinks, silverware are served to you. They spray every surface. Hand sanitizer is dispensed in and out of every shop, venue, everywhere.

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So, really, what more can they do?

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You obviously don't understand how viruses work. It is people. Always people.

Most individuals who take that tact obviously missed that day's lesson in biology or general science class...

If they pay closer attention here on CC they can learn quite a bit of good information in this realm...

Thanks for your post.

bon voyage

If you catch it, it's YOUR hygiene that was lacking.....well, maybe not totally, but NEVER, EVER touch your face (nose, mouth, or eyes) without washing your hands first. Having germs on your hands won't make you sick, unless you give them ENTRY into your body, via your mouth, nose or eyes.

Don't blame the ship...it has no germs/viruses/bacteria on it's own! It's humans who carry this! It's very contagious, as you can board the ship feeling perfectly fine...but the virus is already IN you...and you are contagious then...before you know you're even sick. Once you have it, you will not want to be "out and about"....you will want to be as close to your toilet as possible....it's a god-awful thing.

Most individuals who take that tact obviously missed that day's lesson in biology or general science class...

 

If they pay closer attention here on CC they can learn quite a bit of good information in this realm...

 

Thanks for your post.

 

 

bon voyage

If you are interested in how it is spread and what to do to prevent it then this is good reading from the NHS, best health service in the world.

It's not always possible to avoid getting norovirus, but following the advice below can help stop the virus spreading.

 

• Stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have passed. You should also avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time.
  
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food. Don't rely on alcohol hand gels, as they don't kill the virus.
  
• Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated. It's best to use a bleach-based household cleaner.
  
• Wash any items of clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated separately on a hot wash to ensure the virus is killed.
  
• Don't share towels and flannels.
  
• Flush away any infected poo or vomit in the toilet and clean the surrounding area.
  
• Avoid eating raw, unwashed produce and only eat oysters from a reliable source, as oysters can carry norovirus.

Note hand gels are USELESS

Note spread can be through contaminated food

Note the virus can live for several days on contaminated surfaces and I am sure that means in the drains, toilets, bathroom areas

Note that it can be spread by linen, wonder if they are washed well.

Now are you telling me that it is not possible for the virus to be on board and the staff have not eradicated it?

What are the odds of only THAT ship having back to back voyages with the virus and you tell me that it is not endemic in the ship? ROFLAO.

I am not an expert but I would guess that there are things that can be done. Some of these might work, some might not, I’m sure there are other practical ideas:

1. Allow people on these ships to cancel excursions up until the last minute without penalty. Buses are a hothouse for germs.

2. Disposable, single use menus in all venues. Watch them get ripped up, or do it yourself.

3. Extend main dining room hours for breakfast and lunch. Get people out of the buffet. Tablecloths have to be safer than bare tables “cleaned” with a multiple use rag.

4. Along with soap and shampoo, provide a small bottle of hand sanitizer per passenger. If people carry it around they would be more likely to use after they sit down in the theater, in the casino, etc. if this stuff doesn’t work, get rid of it at entrances to buffet - creates a false sense of safety.

When a ship has multiple cruises effected there is a systemic issue - the virus either remains on a surface not adequately cleaned, or the crew passes it to the next cruise. Attacking a poster who is scared of getting sick is unhelpful, in my opinion.

A friend that is currently onboard was told by a crew member that there are currently 2 cases. They are constantly cleaning and precautions still being taken.

OP - perhaps you have travel insurance with "cancel for any reason" provision. If not, I would suggest thoroughly cleaning your cabin each day after the "bad housekeeping". Celebrity delayed boarding for the departure on 11/11 to do a deep clean, its not the ship that is getting passengers sick. 🙄 Actually Solstice scored 100 on their most recent inspection

Also, if you have to fly to get to the ship beware, they have not disinfected the plane prior to boarding and you could catch Noro from the plane! 😷

Looks like it started in Australia as news reports in the fall reported BIG outbreak. Certainly then brought on board by local passengers.

Sailing in March so hope it is resolved by then. Know the crew works super hard to stop the spread.

As a current member of this cruise, the crew is very active in their cleaning, but honestly have no idea how to properly do it.

Half the staff is serving, the other half are wiping down tables, chairs, railings, ect. All those surfaces are left damp & sticky from the cleaner solution since no one is coming by for a dry-off. Some surfaces are slowly being damaged by cleaners

Crew has not been told not to refill cups & mugs at the cafeteria drink stations. They have created a barrier to keep ppl away & drink stations are staffed by 1-2 crew bumbling through filling drink orders. But they still take used mugs in their gloved hands to refill them & hand back.

The room started off bare, no tissues, no glasses, no notepads or booklets. Mirrors were sanitized, but not secondary windexed to remove residue. I would imagine their washing machines would have in line bleach & detergent with hot water & drying cycles.

There's no salt, pepper, sugar, nut snacks ect on the tables. Food is discouraged from being moved about the ship. (i.e. Grab a burger & go to the game room)

Crew is not taking seapasses to ring up your drinks/orders. They're writing orders down with the folio number/names & entering orders later.

If this doesn't cut it down, then the ship needs a true deep cleaning with a crew re-education on sanitation. Disassembly of all items, scrubbing with detergents, bleaching, & then rinse. The room bathrooms desperately need this done, as there are bits of mildew in crevices a wipe down won't find. Carpets & couches should be steamed & not just vacuumed.

I've worked 10 years in animal shelters. One thing that's ground into you is proper ways to clean!

Maybe they are getting the message that even when it is not the ship that bring the virus, it is the ships responsibility to keep the ship healthy, NOT MINE!

My responsibility is Not to bring it on Board, and that is every ones responsibility!

YES hand sanitiser they have are of NO use against this virus!

So wash hands frequently, the other thing that is important is to stay away from people coughing or spewing as it is an airborne virus! If you do get it quaranteen yourself and let the crew Know!

As a current member of this cruise, the crew is very active in their cleaning, but honestly have no idea how to properly do it.

 

Half the staff is serving, the other half are wiping down tables, chairs, railings, ect. All those surfaces are left damp & sticky from the cleaner solution since no one is coming by for a dry-off. Some surfaces are slowly being damaged by cleaners

 

Crew has not been told not to refill cups & mugs at the cafeteria drink stations. They have created a barrier to keep ppl away & drink stations are staffed by 1-2 crew bumbling through filling drink orders. But they still take used mugs in their gloved hands to refill them & hand back.

 

The room started off bare, no tissues, no glasses, no notepads or booklets. Mirrors were sanitized, but not secondary windexed to remove residue. I would imagine their washing machines would have in line bleach & detergent with hot water & drying cycles.

 

There's no salt, pepper, sugar, nut snacks ect on the tables. Food is discouraged from being moved about the ship. (i.e. Grab a burger & go to the game room)

 

Crew is not taking seapasses to ring up your drinks/orders. They're writing orders down with the folio number/names & entering orders later.

 

If this doesn't cut it down, then the ship needs a true deep cleaning with a crew re-education on sanitation. Disassembly of all items, scrubbing with detergents, bleaching, & then rinse. The room bathrooms desperately need this done, as there are bits of mildew in crevices a wipe down won't find. Carpets & couches should be steamed & not just vacuumed.

 

I've worked 10 years in animal shelters. One thing that's ground into you is proper ways to clean!

yes not hanling seapasses will reduce transfer of germs! that is one step in the right direction!

but handling used cups and then handling clean cups is NOT on even with gloves on! the gloves will be dirty the first time they do that!

scratching your hair with gloves on does not really do anything for health either!

I would like to enjoy my trip without getting the bug!

SO first thing you do when entering your cabin is to wash hands! EVERYTIME!

after you have been in a lift and touched the buttons or a wall wash your hands!

every time you have been anywhere and touched something Wash your hands!

If you have kids, be very definite about this!

and please No baies in Nappies in the pools! discusting, seen that on the last cruise and the crew did NOTHING!!!!!

YES hand sanitiser they have are of NO use against this virus!

While consumer grade, alcohol based hand cleaners are not completely effective against the Noro virus, the commercial grade hand sanitizers the ships use are indeed effective. The NHS "information" is to warn you against the consumer grade hand sanitizers available in the UK, not the commercial ones used internationally.

The brands tested and approved by the CDC (or the FDA, I forget which) include Clorox Hand Sanitizing Spray and Germstar Noro . Germstar is the one I see most often on cruise ships. You can buy Clorox and some others over the counter in America, but generally they are only available for commercial use.

Norovirus can live on surfaces for up to two weeks. This 2 page PDF file is a list of approved surface sanitizing agents. The ones from Clorox recommend leaving the surface wet at least 3 minutes with the solution.

About 1% of Noro outbreaks are on cruise ships. You are more likely to get it if you eat at restaurants on land, which are responsible for 70% of the outbreaks in the US. The incubation period is from 12 hours to 36 hours, so someone getting sick the day of embarkation has carried it aboard. Someone getting sick early the next morning has probably carried it aboard.

I was on the cruise that just ended. The crew has not had time off due to room attendants sanitizing the rooms twice a day. There is plastic wrap in front of the buffet so the passengers aren't touching anything. No dishes, salt, pepper, butter, sweetener, etc. are touched by passengers. The crew are wearing latex gloves and, in some cases, masks. Hand sanitizer is everywhere and forced on passengers, rightfully so. There is major protocol for this. No hand shaking with crew, etc. They even had a shipment of special cleaner shipped from the US since they weren't able to get it in Australia or New Zealand. But I saw passengers evade hand sanitizer at the entrances to restaurant and stores, no hand washing leaving the ladies room, etc. I do think it's passengers keeping this alive. Passengers who were ill also didn't report it because they were confined to their staterooms for 24 hours if they did and they didn't want to be cooped up. Celebrity is doing their best to get rid of it but they're not receiving full cooperation of the passengers. The majority of us adhered to the rules but there were some who didn't. I also noticed that we'd hear of 6 of a group of 50 or 3 of a family of 6 getting sick. Might be how it's shared. After hearing people complain about the "inconvenience" they experienced, I wonder who's carrying the virus. Also, the crew were much more fastidious about following the hygiene rules -- they'd like to get time off again. Another comment to the originator of this thread, there were very few children on our cruise.