Where can I find the cabin cleaning specs??

[ccxnola]

Yes, we have sailed on several different ships and only in our past two cruises has there been any concern - mostly based on new awareness of our ignorance and lack of understanding on our part. We have always 'assumed' that there is a complete cleaning of the cabin and replacement of the linens between cruises - with appropriate changes of the bed and shower items as needed during the cruise.

 

But recently (within the past year or so) there have been several posts on CC of cabins not properly (basic) cleaned, dirty cabin glasses, showers, etc. and poor housekeeping by some cabin staff. (I do limit it to 'some' as the complaints are likely less than 1% of the total guests.) However, what if you get one of those (at least to you) unsatisfactory cabins?? Call housekeeping? SURE!! But what is a 'reasonable' expectation?? OR - where can I find the specifications that are the 'standard' for the ship?? I have tried the RCCL and Celebrity web sites - with no results.

 

I'm thinking beyond the obvious of clean sheets, towels,glasses and shower!! What about unknown stains on the bed spread?? How about the mattress cover under the clean sheets?? Has anyone experienced the 'bed bug' problem on a ship?? There seem to be NO posts about it happening - in Cruise Critic posts I read!!

 

We (most of us) are aware of the potential of the dreaded 'NORO' and take steps to minimize the possibilitiy of getting it - but do I need to 'sanitize' my cabin with personal wipes & spray (like I have done in the past) or does the cabin staff sanitize the sofa, chair, telephone, tv remote, balcony door handle, etc??

 

If I can find out what the cabin staff are supposed to do, then I can make my personal decisions about what I want to do in addition to stay as safe as possible!! What do they 'train' the cabin staff to do and how is 'quality control' ensured??

 

Any ideas??

[Cruise Arizona]

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:eSMsd8SuBcEJ:www.wetrainhotels.com/library/resources/Guest%2520Room%2520Cleaning%2520Checklist%2520Template.doc+hotel+room+cleaning+checklist&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

 

It is for a hotel but it looks like it should be pretty much an industry standard.

[mapsmith]

I think the solution to any potential bedbug problem would be to limit the people coming from regions that are currently undergoing a bedbug infestation. i.e. New York, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, and DC.

 

:) :) :)

 

Leaves more room for those of us in Bed Bug Free locales.

 

 

Seriously, I expect the BedSpreads, or Mattress Pads are cleaned more frequently than in most 5 star hotels. Probably on a schedule of about once a month for the BedSpreads and Blankets, Probably less often for a Mattress Pad.

 

 

As to the Telephone, Remote, etc. If you are concerned, just keep sanitizing.

 

We are located in the town with Dr. Gerba of the University of Arizona (aka Dr. Germ) His latest Germ laden items.

1. DVDs from NetFlix or Red Box.

2. Touch Screens for Groceries (I would expect the same for Casino Slots and Playing Cards)

2b. Surprisingly the Touch Screens for Groceries were much more contaminated than the Touch Screens in places like Home Depot, or Lowe's. So those filthy Construction Workers may actually have cleaner hands than originally thought. (Big Smiles!)

 

I personally think that you can overdo the Purell thing. If your immune system is weak, be sure to see your doctor. I can understand how someone with a weakened immune system may do the Purell thing. But if you have a robust Immune system, it should take care of minor germs, including Noro.

 

 

If you have concerns, ask the Cabin Steward to change them out for you. I am sure that clean ones are available.

[CathyCruises]

How on earth would you 'sanitize' the chair and sofa every week in every cabin with 2 hours between debarkation and embarkation? I think your expectations are a bit high. If you are worried about it, bring some wipes for the phone and door knobs--or else consider it a good way to build up your immunities!

[txsloth]

 

Any ideas??

 

 

Valium? :p

[Nonna and Papa]

I think that if we all expected that all public facilities be as clean as we keep our homes, we'd never go out.:) Of course no one will take as much care as we each do, but given the numbers of rooms in any hotel, or cabins on any ship that each housekeeper has to clean and maintain, chances are very good that only minimal service is done on a consistent basis.

 

I also bring wipes for the phone, remote and some surfaces, but I have to say that I've actually gotten away from being too vigilant. I do wash my hands often and us hand sanitizer on excursions.

 

As for bedbugs, unfortunately that is a growing concern. Check the mattress edges, around the roping, for signs of infestation. Look for groups of black specks or actual bugs. That's where I'm told they like to nest. If you don't see any, chances are that you'll be alright.

 

Mary

[Hypo]

What about airplane seats? From the condition of some that I have seen, I doubt if they are cleaned frequently (if ever).

[msrizzo]

What about airplane seats? From the condition of some that I have seen, I doubt if they are cleaned frequently (if ever).

 

 

That's certainly a possibility. I know I got bitten by bedbugs on a trip several months ago. I started itching in the Amtrak station while sitting on their "upholstered" chairs. And I itched and scratched all the way back home to Baltimore. I had welts on my neck, ankles, and forearms. At first I thought it was an allergic reaction. Was diagnosed as probable bed bugs. I thought it might be the hotel room but after staying there 5 days I didn't have any bites until I got to the Amtrak station. I probably unknowingly infested the seat I sat in on the train too. There's nothing you can do about that, I guess but I'm checking every mattress I sleep on that is not my own for the rest of my life!

[algorithmannie]

Very interesting issue. Thanks to the OP for bringing it up for discussion. I also fall into the category of people that bring Clorox wipes to disinfect hotel rooms. I pull back the bed spread and decorative pillows, and don't use the provided drinking glasses. I consider these actions to be appropriate and preventative, but try not to get overly concerned. After reading about the bed bugs, I may do a quick check for those too!

 

I doubt we'll ever really know how clean the rooms are. We were probably better off before seeing all the youtube videos that expose dirty, germy hotel rooms. Do what you think is reasonable, ask for anything to be changed that doesn't seem right, and then enjoy your cruise!

[RKD]

You can also get little travel sized cans of Lysol disinfectant spray. Small enough for purses, too! Now if I could just remember to use them more often!:rolleyes:

 

About half the traveling we do is in our motorhome. (And we travel quite a bit) One thing I like about that is....even if it would happen to get "dirty", at least it's OUR dirt!! :)

[msrizzo]

My philosophy is, if it worries you enough to potentially ruin your vacation then by all means address the issue.

[cb at sea]

The cabin should LOOK clean....however, it's not ever going to be "sterile"...if you expect that, then you probably shouldn't leave home. No place is germ-free, and that's good for our immune systems! If our bodies never had anything to 'fight off', the 1st germ we came in contact with would kill us.

 

If you see something amiss, call housekeeping and have it rectified....easy! If your attendant isn't doing anything in your room, call housekeeping and complain again. It's doubtful you'll need to, but you certainly can.

[JanineM]

Just be sensible ... I figure the ships cleaner than my sister's guest room, and I certainly don't run about there with Lysol and bleach. I NEVER spend any time on bedspreads in hotels or on ships. I also wear slippers, sandals or socks on carpets in hotels and on ships.

 

If you're going to wipe stuff then focus on the tv remote, the telephone pad, the keypad on the safe and other similar places. You need to sanitize those items at your house and office as well.

 

I have yet to encounter dirty drinking glasses on a ship, but if you're concerned, don't use them. Get glasses from the buffet.

 

And truly, the best thing you can do to protect yourself from Noro (or other viruses) is to wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.

[dkjretired]

Just be sensible ... I figure the ships cleaner than my sister's guest room, and I certainly don't run about there with Lysol and bleach. I NEVER spend any time on bedspreads in hotels or on ships. I also wear slippers, sandals or socks on carpets in hotels and on ships.

 

If you're going to wipe stuff then focus on the tv remote, the telephone pad, the keypad on the safe and other similar places. You need to sanitize those items at your house and office as well.

 

I have yet to encounter dirty drinking glasses on a ship, but if you're concerned, don't use them. Get glasses from the buffet.

 

And truly, the best thing you can do to protect yourself from Noro (or other viruses) is to wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.

 

Keep everything in perspective, something like 4000 people a year get noro on cruise ships, about 35 million in the general population... As the previous poster said, wash your hands...I am not going to spend my cruise sanitizing my room, much better things to do...

[JeffCoud]

Valium? :p

 

I was thinking the same thing, lol... sorry I know that's bad of me!