Our Zuiderdam Code Red experience

[olefin32]

We boarded the Zuiderdam for our third time (and last time) this past April 20th. It was on code yellow, (no self serving in the Lido). We had never been on a ship that was code yellow or red. A Lido server told us that it was only a precaution in case someone came onboard with the gastro illness that caused diarrhea. But we liked the food being put on the plates, seems much cleaner. Code yellow was lifted in a few days.

 

It started out as another great cruise as all has been in the past. Our SA Deluxe suite was excellent like it is every time. The service and food was also great as before. We had been to the Panama Canal once before on the Zuiderdam but didn't go out the other end. We had been looking forward to doing "the whole thing". We were feeling great, I was down on deck 3 every morning at 7AM for 10 laps around the deck in 45 minutes. Made it every morning until I became sick.

 

Wife and I have always been double careful about washing hands, using hand sanitizer and not touching anything we didn't have to. In fact, we each, carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer. We always use it after handling the menus in the main dining room. Always use it after getting our food at the Lido or Terrace grill. We never used the Lido except on the day we boarded. We did get some snacks in the Neptune Lounge a few times.

 

On the first day we got hamburgers at the Terrace Grill. Didn't notice until we had eaten almost a third that the meat was undercooked. Reported this to the Lido supervisor, he collected a sample of the meat and our suite number. He apologized and agreed it was unsafe to serve undercooked hamburger meat, said that would be corrected immediately. We ate breakfast at the Pinnacle Grill one morning, we usually have room service for breakfast. All other meals were in the main dinning room.

 

We never got off the ship until Mexico and then only to the dock area at a couple ports. We didn't eat or drink anything off ship.

 

After a few days we had a letter in our suite from the Captain about the ship going to full code red. No self service allowed on the ship... even in the Neptune Lounge. Also removed all magazines and flowers from the Neptune lounge. We don't go to the Casino, but heard they were passing out plastic gloves to play the slots. Everything was removed from the dining room tables. Bread was passed out from the servers, salt and pepper were in packets. But after all this precaution they still handed out the menus. We used our hand sanitizer after touching the menus. We also noticed the servers were picking up dirty plates while they passed out the dessert menu.

 

About the 10th day of the cruise we both started having diarrhea. I've had only one other case of acute diarrhea in my life time and that was caused from being on antibiotics for so long after heart valve surgery. The ships nurse said the diarrhea would last 24 to 48 hours and for us to stay in our suite. Since I'm on blood thinner I asked if the diarrhea would have effect on the blood thinner. The nurse checked with the doctor said it wouldn't. I knew he was incorrect but went online with our laptop and found it could cause the blood thinner to get dangerously high. I have my own monitor, I checked my blood thinner level and found I was already too high. I stopped taking all blood thinner for 2 days. Then started back at reduced dosage. Our family doctor had recommended Imodium pills for diarrhea so we both started taking them. I took them for 2 days, still no relief and not suppose to take them longer than 2 days. Went on a light diet of clear beef broth, bananas, toast and jello, with lots of apple juice and plenty water. What a way to spent a cruise! I usually gain at least 7 pounds on a cruise but lost 3 pounds on this one.

 

We heard from a crew there were 80 cabins and suites quarantined. I would guess there were at least that many or more that never reported they were sick. Same crew member said the Zuiderdam had been having an illness problem for the last 4 months.

 

After 4 days we were some better but took over a week to get back to feeling normal. Thank God our cruise ended in San Diego and we could get off that ship. We had planned three days in San Diego but didn't feel like doing much but hanging close to the hotel waiting on our flight to good old home!

 

Conclusion... we did everything possible to protect our self, other than not eating but still became infected.

 

Wish everyone good luck on your cruise and that you never have the illness.

[SwissMyst]

There was a Peace Corp study that found Pepto-Bismol worked as well as anti-biotics for gastro-intestinal distress, but with fewer side effects. I have heard of people taking Pepto-Bismol preventively.

 

Need to look into this as we have a trip on the Zuiderdam coming up in a month. Thanks for the warning and so sorry you had to have a first hand experience with this because it does ruin not only your appetite but the vacation as well. But I am really glad you reported this to help the rest of us.

 

The problem with Imodium (an opiate) from my understanding is all it does it slow things down and make the situation more manageable, but does not cure anything. Just keeps it inside longer, if you get my drift. It is best when you know you will not be having ready access to facilities, like on an excursion. But cure comes when you get it out of the system in time, or give it a good thunking with an anti-biotic (careful not to ever over-use any anti-biotic) or as it now appears PeptoBismol.

 

The concern I am sure is whether the bugs are getting stronger than all the precautions. But I remember back in the 1970s having a ship full of distress after a two day excursion to Cairo for all those who took the extra trip and we ate nothing outside the hotel which had very boring British food. At that time I don't think anyone thought it was a "ship" problem back then; but one of the travails of travel to far away places with strange sounding names.

 

Again, thanks for the warning. I have some homework to do about Pepto-Bismol and the CDC travel warning suggestions page.

[SwissMyst]

Center for Disease Control: Travelers Diarrhea information

 

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/travelersdiarrhea_g.htm

[LVSue]

Olefin, what a terrible experience—thank goodness you knew how to monitor your blood thinner. What I am most impressed with is your matter-of-fact attitude and lack of whining. What most bothers me is that you were so careful and still managed to get the bug. I don't know what else you could have done. Code Red is a scary thing.

[Arwen]

I think that gastrointestinal illnesses will continue to haunt HAL....and other cruise lines.

 

1. Far too many port destinations do not have appropriate hand washing facilities or just really dirty restrooms. I always carry wet wipes but many passengers do not have these along with them for shore excursions. What is the point of sanitizing everyone before they return on ship when pax are not even able to sanitize or wash their hands before a meal while in port?

 

2. Last cruise, I noticed lapses in the area of refrigeration when we were in the Lido. We were on the Rotterdam back in January/Feb and several times I ended up with pats of creme cheese that were curdled. I wish I had reported it, but the Lido was always a zoo and it was an effort a lot of times to just find a table at lunch (dinner was always better)...and that was especially true when we were out at sea for five days at a time. Other times, I noticed the cartons of milk stored "on ice" were a little too warm, though not sour. I hope HAL reads this and can pay special attention to their food storage/refrigeration practices and diligently watch their refrigeration temps.

 

3. There is another bug that can cause havoc called Cryptosporidium. It is a protozoan infection that comes usually from contaminated water. The South Pacific,for example, while having gorgeous crystal clear salt water....is a source, if you are unlucky to swallow some salt water (snorkeling, etc.) and are susceptible. And yes, it is contageous. But, "C" is also spread by undercooked food or through food/water contaminated by feces. It is also a short term infection for most, unless someone is immune compromised.

 

Hopefully, HAL and the other cruise lines don't have "tunnel vision" when it comes to preventing these outbreaks. They need to think outside the box to come up with ways to prevent or limit the GI outbreaks.:(

[mymickstar]

We too were sick on this cruise. This is the first time out of 9 cruises that we became ill. And it hung on forever!! I still have loose stools after almost two weeks.

 

It is nauseating to realize how you get infected! I worry that they have staff that continue to spread the virus even though they no longer have symptoms--this can happen up to 2 weeks after symptoms resolve. I know they quarantined staff that were sick--but they were back on duty within a couple days.

 

I know that it is a risk whenever you gather large amounts of people in one area for an extended period of time! But I do think that there is a false sense of 'cleanliness' with the sanitizers everywhere--I think people use them instead of washing well--and the sanitizers are not enough people must wash!

[SwissMyst]

SOME CHAT FROM THE NET ABOUT HAND SANITIZERS AND GOOD OLD HAND WASHING:

 

11/01/2010 22:13:14 »

Hand Sanitizers work a little differently than most people think.

 

Hand Sanitizers kill 99.9% of the bacteria on your hands. The remaining 0.1% are the strongest, most developed bacteria. So, basically you're left with the strongest (worst) possable bacteria on your hands. These few strong bacteria that survive the hand sanitizer multiply until your hands are once again, covered in bacteria, except this bacteria cannot be destroyed by the current hand sanitizer. So, the hand sanitizer developers have to go and create a stronger hand sanitizer...and a stronger one....and a stronger one...etc.

 

Thus, hand sanitizers (in the long term) make the bacteria situation worse.

 

Link to this post 298542

08/02/2010 02:27:35 »

 

I learnt that a good 'rule of thumb' as we say in Sweden is to assume that you by washing your hands with soap and water will get rid of approximately nienty percent of the germs and bacteria etc. If you then wash them again you will be down to only one percent left, assuming that you air dry them. And that percent won't be the 'meanest ones' as it will be in the example with Hand Sanitizers.

 

Also i would like to remind you all that as long as you're not doing surgical procedures germs and bacteria is a way to strengthen your immune system. To let your kids play in the dirt and even eat some earth (or other things:) won't kill them, in fact it seems to have the opposite effect, it will protect them as they grow up. There are several studies pointing to that assumption. You need to differ between a sterile environment as a 'operating theater' and what you meet outside it. Soap and water will work every time, and air dry them if you're going to do something 'sensitive'. It's quite enough.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for your report. So sorry that you both got so sick.

 

When a ship is in Code Red (and we have been on quite a few that were) -- one thing I think they should do -- throw out the menus after a person touches them.

[PennyAgain]

There are still some people who don't wash their hands after using the toilet!

 

We've had an awful time with elderly members of our family getting eye infections from their need to use handrails and to hold on to things as they walk. Can't get them to understand what is happening. They use a handrail and then rub their eyes!

 

I agree that the menus need to be printed on plain paper and thrown out after 1 use.

 

One reason HAL got rid of the trays was an issue with fear of bacteria and viruses on the trays that were used over and over again without cleaning.

[foodsvcmgr]

I always observed that the (former) trays were hot and wet from the dishwasher, never saw them constantly being reused unwashed.

 

As for people using handrails, yes they may pass on germs, but better

than breaking bones trying to navigate a moving ship unaided IMO.

[Coolcruise02]

There was a Peace Corp study that found Pepto-Bismol worked as well as anti-biotics for gastro-intestinal distress, but with fewer side effects. I have heard of people taking Pepto-Bismol preventively.

 

I have done this since our first cruise when a doctor suggested it. I chew a little tablet 3 times a day, starting the day before we travel. It has worked for me for all our travels. DH didn't like the taste and thought I was over doing it. Then he got hit with the stomack issues on a cruise and now he is a believer!!

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

I'm sorry that you were sick. We were on the Zuiderdam's 10-day Panama Canal cruise that departed from Ft. Lauderdale on Dec. 13, 2009. During the first half of the cruise, the sanitary standards did not seem very strict. The ship suddenly changed to Code Red during the second half of the cruise. Fortunately, we did not get sick, but Code Red certainly detracts from the cruise. In particular, dining in the Lido Restaurant was a hassle. We had to wait in long lines to get everything, including a glass of water.

 

I am always careful to wash my hands and use hand sanitizer before entering the dining room. However, I usually pull out my own chair at the table and then touch the menu. Of course, this defeats my precaution of washing my hands. Being careful reduces your odds of getting sick, but there is no way to completely prevent it.

 

Chuck

[lastlook]

I was one of few people who swam in the pool at Costa Maya when the Ryndam stopped there on our cruise this past February, and soon after I had the D problem. DH and I had two drinks and some nachos from the bar there, and he did not have a problem, and I had to wonder afterward how they keep a saltwater pool clean? (It is difficult when you swim, not to get water in your mouth, and so I came to the conclusion that it might have been the saltwater pool?) The pool was incredibly warm as well, so probably a prime breeding ground for bacteria? If you are familiar with how these pools are maintained, I welcome your advice for future reference.

[SwissMyst]

I was one of few people who swam in the pool at Costa Maya when the Ryndam stopped there on our cruise this past February, and soon after I had the D problem. DH and I had two drinks and some nachos from the bar there, and he did not have a problem, and I had to wonder afterward how they keep a saltwater pool clean? (It is difficult when you swim, not to get water in your mouth, and so I came to the conclusion that it might have been the saltwater pool?) The pool was incredibly warm as well, so probably a prime breeding ground for bacteria? If you are familiar with how these pools are maintained, I welcome your advice for future reference.

 

Swimming in any of these waters (in pools, lakes or oceans) is always subject to the quality of effluence and sewage treatment standards of that country.

 

And how would we know ahead of time about their sewage treatment standards? I think swimming experiences play a lot in later GI problems, in pools or otherwise. Probably best to assume it is contaminated. (Ouch)

 

Best to not swallow anything at all when swimming anywhere, and find a clean water shower as soon as possible when you get out, rinse out your mouth carefully (hey, alcohol may be the best medicine here but you have to spit it out) but even then you don't know the source of the shower water or ice cubes. It could be gray water.

 

Makes one paranoid, doesn't it. Because so many travel posters beckon us with the sight (but maybe not the reality) of pristine beaches and crystalline waters. But it also takes us back to the early European travel days when one also assumed all public water was contaminated and acted preventively upon that fact.

 

Clean water is a global concern.

[canukcruiser13]

It is very difficult to keep salt water or chlorine pools clean from bacteria, the hotter it is outside the quicker the chemicals get used up. Plus, a lot of people go into pools/hot tubs only a couple of days after having "stomach flu" symptoms when you should really wait at least a week.

[askworldtraveler]

We took the Zuiderdam from San Diego to Vancouver - the ship was in Code Red when we left - 2 days out there was 'one' case left... and by the final day - the code red was lifted and all was normal again on board for the last 24 hours..... We too have been on several ships when this happens - I know HAL takes this very seriously -

 

We will be on the Zuiderdam in Alaska July 3 - with my fingers crossed as we're traveling with an age range from 2 to 95 yikes....

[sevenseasnomad]

We boarded the Zuiderdam for our third time (and last time) this past April 20th. It was on code yellow, (no self serving in the Lido). We had never been on a ship that was code yellow or red. A Lido server told us that it was only a precaution in case someone came onboard with the gastro illness that caused diarrhea. But we liked the food being put on the plates, seems much cleaner. Code yellow was lifted in a few days.

 

Wife and I have always been double careful about washing hands, using hand sanitizer and not touching anything we didn't have to. In fact, we each, carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer. We always use it after handling the menus in the main dining room. Always use it after getting our food at the Lido or Terrace grill. We never used the Lido except on the day we boarded. We did get some snacks in the Neptune Lounge a few times.

 

On the first day we got hamburgers at the Terrace Grill. Didn't notice until we had eaten almost a third that the meat was undercooked. Reported this to the Lido supervisor, he collected a sample of the meat and our suite number. He apologized and agreed it was unsafe to serve undercooked hamburger meat, said that would be corrected immediately. We ate breakfast at the Pinnacle Grill one morning, we usually have room service for breakfast. All other meals were in the main dinning room.

 

We never got off the ship until Mexico and then only to the dock area at a couple ports. We didn't eat or drink anything off ship.

 

After a few days we had a letter in our suite from the Captain about the ship going to full code red. No self service allowed on the ship... even in the Neptune Lounge. Also removed all magazines and flowers from the Neptune lounge. We don't go to the Casino, but heard they were passing out plastic gloves to play the slots. Everything was removed from the dining room tables. Bread was passed out from the servers, salt and pepper were in packets. But after all this precaution they still handed out the menus. We used our hand sanitizer after touching the menus. We also noticed the servers were picking up dirty plates while they passed out the dessert menu.

 

About the 10th day of the cruise we both started having diarrhea. I've had only one other case of acute diarrhea in my life time and that was caused from being on antibiotics for so long after heart valve surgery. The ships nurse said the diarrhea would last 24 to 48 hours and for us to stay in our suite. Since I'm on blood thinner I asked if the diarrhea would have effect on the blood thinner. The nurse checked with the doctor said it wouldn't. I knew he was incorrect but went online with our laptop and found it could cause the blood thinner to get dangerously high. I have my own monitor, I checked my blood thinner level and found I was already too high. I stopped taking all blood thinner for 2 days. Then started back at reduced dosage. Our family doctor had recommended Imodium pills for diarrhea so we both started taking them. I took them for 2 days, still no relief and not suppose to take them longer than 2 days. Went on a light diet of clear beef broth, bananas, toast and jello, with lots of apple juice and plenty water. What a way to spent a cruise! I usually gain at least 7 pounds on a cruise but lost 3 pounds on this one.

 

We heard from a crew there were 80 cabins and suites quarantined. I would guess there were at least that many or more that never reported they were sick. Same crew member said the Zuiderdam had been having an illness problem for the last 4 months.

 

After 4 days we were some better but took over a week to get back to feeling normal. Thank God our cruise ended in San Diego and we could get off that ship. We had planned three days in San Diego but didn't feel like doing much but hanging close to the hotel waiting on our flight to good old home!

 

Conclusion... we did everything possible to protect our self, other than not eating but still became infected.

 

Wish everyone good luck on your cruise and that you never have the illness.

 

So sorry you & other passengers suffered from Noro/intestinal infection. Getting sick can truly wreck a cruise that a passenger has anticipated for months. Thank heavens you were on top of your medication situation, or you could have been in more serious trouble.

 

A few observations though. I worked with two gastrointerologists for over 12 years. The last thing they would recommend to anyone having diarrhea would be any fruit juices, especially apple juice. Apple juice is a natural laxative. Jell-o, bland toast, weak tea & greasless broth was the diet after severe diarrhea/vomitting.

 

Also those hand sanitizers do not remove some of the more harmful bacteria and do not kill Noro at all. After washing hands in hot water with soap, it is imperative that you touch NOTHING. Carry a paper towel (or several) around if you have to. If you touch anything, such as a menu or even the arms of your chair before eating, dash out to the restroom to wash hands. I know---a real pain---but it works.

 

All of the above, however, flies out the window if your server is sick, has just been sick and/or is less than meticulous about keeping his hands clean. I sometimes wonder how well the cruise lines instruct their wait-staff/servers as to the importance of nearly germ-free hands.

 

We're set to cruise on Zuiderdam in December (the start of Norovirus season where we live), so am hoping they have this problem under better control.

 

Again sorry for anyone who goes through being ill on a cruise. Hope this experience doesn't put you off cruising with HAL in the future.

[cruisecrasy]

There are still some people who don't wash their hands after using the toilet!

 

We've had an awful time with elderly members of our family getting eye infections from their need to use handrails and to hold on to things as they walk. Can't get them to understand what is happening. They use a handrail and then rub their eyes!

 

I agree that the menus need to be printed on plain paper and thrown out after 1 use.

 

One reason HAL got rid of the trays was an issue with fear of bacteria and viruses on the trays that were used over and over again without cleaning.

 

U are correct re: folks forgetting to or deliberately not washing their hands :( and the elderly can be a problem also with forgetting.. I so agree menus sld be discarded after 1 use but that wld increase costs for HAL and they are loath to do so (thereby necessitating increasing cruise fares)..:(

 

As far as the trays, sorry I do not agree with your comments..

IMO the reason HAL 'did away with' the trays - was simply $$$...as it eliminated costs to purchase & clean them..and yes...they were cleaned after each use..Rarely picked one up that wasn't still wet & or warm from the dishwasher..!

 

Have happy cruisin'..

[olefin32]

 

All of the above, however, flies out the window if your server is sick, has just been sick and/or is less than meticulous about keeping his hands clean. I sometimes wonder how well the cruise lines instruct their wait-staff/servers as to the importance of nearly germ-free hands.

 

Wish you good luck on your upcoming cruise.

 

I feel that is the problem for the fact a crew member told us the Zuiderdam had been having a sickness problem for 4 months. Passengers are new every 2 weeks but with the same crew. When a crew member has BO, tells me he doesn't bath regular... if he doesn't bath, how well does he wash his hands?

 

There was a Peace Corp study that found Pepto-Bismol worked as well as anti-biotics for gastro-intestinal distress, but with fewer side effects. I have heard of people taking Pepto-Bismol preventively.

 

Thanks, that might work for some people but a BIG problem for me.

I take the blood thinner, warfarin. Not advised to take Pepto-Bismol and warfarin. For it could cause a bleeding problem.

 

Our doctors were the ones that got us started cruising with HAL. Can't wait to tell them our experience.

Thanks to all that has posted.

[mymickstar]

I don't think being sick is going to put me off sailing with HAL in particular--but it will put me off sailing anybody for a while. I was really sick!! Thanks for the diet advise--but that was one of the complaints when I was ill on the ship. It was a real effort to get diet we could eat delivered to the room. When I requested broth I received it about half of the time--I requested a peanut butter sandwich and was told they could not make one. I finally did get some toast and a cup of peanut butter delivered to the room. I do think HAL needs to re-think their policy on feeding those that get ill on their ships. (I would have paid good money for a bowl of chicken noodle soup!)

Cherie

[SwissMyst]

When I am feeling a bit under the weather on a ship, I always seem to want a club sandwich. Don't know why, but this is my own classic comfort food.

 

PS: Thanks for the reminder about Pepto-Bismol and precautions with blood thinners. Not ever intended to be medical advice, just advisory from the Center of Disease Control. I know doctors who prescribe blood thinners are very, very careful educating their patients. Glad you brought this up.

[Essiesmom]

There was a Peace Corp study that found Pepto-Bismol worked as well as anti-biotics for gastro-intestinal distress, but with fewer side effects. I have heard of people taking Pepto-Bismol preventively.

 

Need to look into this as we have a trip on the Zuiderdam coming up in a month. Thanks for the warning and so sorry you had to have a first hand experience with this because it does ruin not only your appetite but the vacation as well. But I am really glad you reported this to help the rest of us.

 

The problem with Imodium (an opiate) from my understanding is all it does it slow things down and make the situation more manageable, but does not cure anything. Just keeps it inside longer, if you get my drift. It is best when you know you will not be having ready access to facilities, like on an excursion. But cure comes when you get it out of the system in time, or give it a good thunking with an anti-biotic (careful not to ever over-use any anti-biotic) or as it now appears PeptoBismol.

 

The concern I am sure is whether the bugs are getting stronger than all the precautions. But I remember back in the 1970s having a ship full of distress after a two day excursion to Cairo for all those who took the extra trip and we ate nothing outside the hotel which had very boring British food. At that time I don't think anyone thought it was a "ship" problem back then; but one of the travails of travel to far away places with strange sounding names.

 

Again, thanks for the warning. I have some homework to do about Pepto-Bismol and the CDC travel warning suggestions page.

Immodium is not an opiate. If it was, you would not be able to buy it OTC.

If you develop diarrhea, you should not take an anti-diarrheal right away. Getting diarrhea means that you have ingested bad bugs. You don't want those bugs to stay inside you, you want them OUT! I would wait six hours before taking anything.

Diarrhea that lasts more than a couple of days is 'starvation diarrhea', which means that the bad bugs took the good bugs (that digest your food) with them when they left your body. You need to put them back, and the easiest way is by eating yogurt. If you have a milk allergy or are lactose intolerant, you can get pills from any pharmacy (lactinase). You have to ask for them, because they need to be refridgerated. EM

[SwissMyst]

Immodium is not an opiate. If it was, you would not be able to buy it OTC.

....... EM

 

I grant you there are far more credible resources out there than wikipedia, but it is a good place to start.

 

Immodium is an opiate. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loperamide

[pearliemae]

Quote: "I so agree menus sld be discarded after 1 use but that wld increase costs for HAL and they are loath to do so (thereby necessitating increasing cruise fares)"

 

Elimination of the multitude printed sales advertisements and promotions delivered to each cabin daily could easily offset the added cost of single use menus.

[olefin32]

SOME CHAT FROM THE NET ABOUT HAND SANITIZERS AND GOOD OLD HAND WASHING:

Thus, hand sanitizers (in the long term) make the bacteria situation worse.

 

I don't agree that hand sanitizers make the situation worse.

I don't think HAL would be pushing hand sanitizers or going to that expense if that was true.

I do agree the main thing is washing hands thoroughly.

 

The first time we were on RCL Voyager of the Seas, there were no hand sanitizer stations. I had been use to seeing them on HAL so I asked why? RCL said they used the recommendation from the Center for Disease Control and that recommendation was to thoroughly wash hands after using the bathroom and again before eating.

A few months later I took another cruise on RCL Voyager, hand sanitizer stations had been installed and usage were being recommended. ;)

 

We too were sick on this cruise. This is the first time out of 9 cruises that we became ill. And it hung on forever!! I still have loose stools after almost two weeks.

 

It is nauseating to realize how you get infected! I worry that they have staff that continue to spread the virus even though they no longer have symptoms--this can happen up to 2 weeks after symptoms resolve. I know they quarantined staff that were sick--but they were back on duty within a couple days.

 

Hope you are better for now. If not you should see a doctor for a test to see what kind of diarrhea you may have. Some has to be treated with antibiotics. We also had antibiotics that our doctor had prescribed if we started having fever with the diarrhea.

 

I don't think being sick is going to put me off sailing with HAL in particular--but it will put me off sailing anybody for a while. I was really sick!! Thanks for the diet advise--but that was one of the complaints when I was ill on the ship. It was a real effort to get diet we could eat delivered to the room. When I requested broth I received it about half of the time--I requested a peanut butter sandwich and was told they could not make one. I finally did get some toast and a cup of peanut butter delivered to the room. I do think HAL needs to re-think their policy on feeding those that get ill on their ships. (I would have paid good money for a bowl of chicken noodle soup!)

Cherie

 

We had the same problem with getting the correct diet. Seems HAL tries to blame the passengers, while I feel the real problem make be coming from the crew. Like I said before... we heard the ship has had the problem for months.. new passengers, same crew.

 

After we got off the Zuiderdam we were going to cancel our next cruise but now our feelings are slowly changing. Our next cruise is Canada and New England... we know that is a much safer area than Mexico or the Caribbean.