Noro Virus Solutions???

[fastsneakers]

I have to congratulate Holland America (HAL), from my understanding they offered passengers a refund if they chose not to sail with the ship that was recently sick (the Veendam). When the Mariner of the Seas had a "code red" outbreak of the Norwalk Virus last week RCCL wasn't so gracious to my 87 year old Mom, she wanted to cancel as she is probably very susceptible to viruses but they refused to refund any of her fare and she HAD purchased insurance! Sorry RCCL we’ll be cruising HAL this year. If more cruisers supported HAL in this matter maybe we could get this “take the money and run” cancellation policy abolished.

 

I think all cruise lines need to take a lot more responsibility for these outbreaks. What are the cruise lines doing to help prevent this sickness other than installing mobile hand sanitizers? Personally I feel the industry may be headed for difficult times if something isn't done to control the outbreaks and prevent cruisers from losing their vacation to sickness. The percentage of sick passengers seems to be growing; I believe the latest outbreak effected over 20% of the ship. I'm sure the remaining 80% of the passengers were inconvenienced to say the least and probably paranoid to say the most. How much fun is that? I’ve heard reports that gamblers in the casino were given gloves to wear when handling the chips and cards and also passengers are bringing their own personal utensils such as tongs to take food selections from the buffet. Passengers are afraid to touch anything without washing their hands afterward. Again, this is the responsibility of the cruise line to handle these outbreaks. Holland America is the only line that has put their money where their mouth is and offered refunds. I say we support their efforts and voice our opinions.

 

I have a few suggestions for controlling these outbreaks, for what it’s worth here they are:

 

First, it seems the problem stems from passengers boarding with the virus, ok then the cruise line should refund the cruisers trip if canceling because of sickness, a doctors written confirmation could be required and the passenger is refunded, with or without insurance. The way it's designed now if you don't take the insurance you lose money...how many of us are willing to lose several thousands of dollars because we we're not feeling well...not many, I'm going on that cruise unless I'm on my death bed! They are actually forcing people to cruise when they are sick!! I'm not totally comfortable with the cancellation policies of the cruise lines anyway. What's up with the take the money and run attitude? What sort of customer service is that? Wouldn't it be better for us to at least have a "credit to cruise" for the next year? They still get their revenue and we still get to cruise. It seems pretty one sided now, in favor of the cruise line. We as consumers are allowing them to charge us for insurance and take our money if we cancel without it and take our money sometimes even when we do have insurance! Why should we have to spend more on insurance just to get our money back from a cruise we didn't take? At least give us a credit for a future cruise.

 

Second, how about a Doctors approval one week before boarding? I wouldn't have a issue with getting a doctors approval before cruising. I'd be happy to know that other cruisers didn't have something contagious prior to the cruise. Also...ditto for the cruise staff.... shouldn’t they be required to have regular health checks? Do they now? I'm not sure.

 

Does anyone agree with me on these issues? Any other ideas? Obviously we all love to cruise but don’t you think it’s time for a change here?