Norovirus on eclipse - delayed sailing tonight

[cpj]

Oh no, if couldn't have been any English-speaking people....we are All so sanitary. It must have been 'those' people speaking excellent English, kind of like me when I'm trying to remember how to say thankyou in a local language. That's the trouble with going on cruises....all those 'foreigners' in the ports and they aren't as sanitary as 'we' are. I guess it must have been all 'those Mediterranean people' cruising on the Mercury out if Charleston who caused all that norovirus last year.

 

After reading these very informative posts, I guess the most sanitary and non-viral people were in the US, in the 60's with AB blood type. You learn such great stuff every day.

 

By the way, why do these noro-threads get so weird?

 

Den

Everybody has different opinions on keeping yourself clean. I just wish they would not tell people to use the santizers because it send the wrong message. Wash your hands, wash your hands especially after going to the bathroom, then use the sanitizers. Some people keep themselves clean and some dont, not much you can do about but your able to protect yourself better if you keep clean your hands clean and keep them away from your face. In my opinion they need to serve you in the buffet and not have it self serve. I think that would eliminate some of the problems.

[hylasgirl]

After my recent experience where most of the passengers came from Mediterranian countries, I saw that many of them did not use the sanitary sprays. Many countries don't have the same sanitary habits that the english speaking countries do.

 

 

I wouldn't say just "english speaking" but I do agree to some extent. I think many Europeans (at least) have a better immune system because of the lack of sanitary habits though. (I'm not meaning crazy stuff... just the basic obsession with keeping everything clean and sanitized) My husband and I always say we are giving our immune system a boost every time we travel outside the USA. I'm not saying it's better or worse... just different. But, on the other hand, I'm amazed constantly by people that I know who live here and their hygiene. As a caregiver of my daughter that just went through a Bone Marrow Transplant, the things I notice are amazing. The diligence of staying sanitary is exhausting. But things like washing hands and using hand sanitizer where offered go a LONG way in stopping the spreading of many different things. Including Noro.

 

I just wish people wouldn't fight it onboard. It's not a big deal to use the sanitary gel and spray.... it's a small thing everyone can do. I wonder if positioning staff in the restrooms has helped at all? It would be too funny if they started stopping people at the door and say "Ummm no no no... I saw you didn't wash."

 

And why on earth does asking anyone to use the sanitizer send the wrong message? That is just crazy. I agree that enforcement is key when boarding the ship. I couldn't care less who likes it or agrees.

 

I really feel bad for those effected by the outbreak. I know how much work, time and money go into planning some of these trips.

[dave9898]

Disembarked on 28th after l6 day cruise, struck down by virus on day 13th, despite always washing hands and using sanitisers. I was fascinated to read how people could put a number on the passengers affected, as I found it difficult to find out any information. Was impressed with the way Celebrity dealt with the situation i.e confined to stateroom for 24 hours, all bedding changed, cushions removed, bathrobes removed. Cabin sanitised twice in 12 hours. Unfortunately had purchased drinks package, and did not really drink for 3 days so lost out on that. Would like to point out that DH reported on several occasions men using the rest room but then walking straight out without washing hands. Never saw this happen in the ladies.

[dzcruisers]

The thing that I saw on our cruise this month was people sneezing and coughing into their hands. Then they wiped their hands on their clothes or touched the hand rails, etc.

 

They teach in nursery school now to sneeze into your elbow if you don't have a handkerchief. I think coughing and sneezing habits spread things like Noro as much as not washing hands.

 

The problem that I've seen with using hands instead of tongs is that people seem to touch more than the item they are taking. I watched a woman pick up and handle at least six rolls before she found the one she wanted. The ideal way to go through the buffet and touch tongs would be with the thin plastic gloves. That is not practical. I've also seen people sneeze into their hands and use the computer key boards. I've also seen them cough or sneeze on the computer key boards. There are lots of ways things get spread.

[Grandma Gilly]

I remember one time telling a lady in front of me not to touch every roll in the bread basket as other people had to eat them and was rewarded with an earful of verbal abuse.

[unixgeek]

I would not suggest that you remind people to use the hand gel, there are many people out there including medical professionals who are not in favor of using them....Just passing this on....

 

I remember right before taking our cruise last fall being amused that Purell had commissioned a study on the effectiveness of hand sanitizers, and released the results anyway, despite the report saying they were basically useless. (Wish I could find a link to that story now, though).

 

It just made my wife and I chuckle every time we saw one of the Purell dispensers on Century.

[dkjretired]

I remember one time telling a lady in front of me not to touch every roll in the bread basket as other people had to eat them and was rewarded with an earful of verbal abuse.

 

I think this is a case of a generational gap. Many in the older generations do not understand the medical advice and research that has been done in the past few years on these issues. They are very stuck in their ways and will not change. You want to really get annoyed go to a land based casino and their buffets and you will see things you cannot believe. Finally, don't say anything or you are liable for verbal and physcial abuse.

[dkjretired]

I remember right before taking our cruise last fall being amused that Purell had commissioned a study on the effectiveness of hand sanitizers, and released the results anyway, despite the report saying they were basically useless. (Wish I could find a link to that story now, though).

 

It just made my wife and I chuckle every time we saw one of the Purell dispensers on Century.

 

I agree, I chuckle whenever I see one of these threads and usually don't even get involved. I believe the sanitizers are a feel good measure and are not better than washing your hands which is a good thing. I remember reading one time where someone said that those who don't use them should be thrown off the ship. The opinions are really harsh sometimes over something that has little effect.

[ghstudio]

Unfortunately, buffets are essentially unhealthy places. We have local buffets where I live and it seems to be accepted as normal that little kids take something, try it and then put it back if they don't like it. Of course the parents are no where to be found.

 

The best solution is probably to eat things that are only touched by the server....stir fry, sandwich, pasta or use the main dining room. If you have used tongs or public serving utensils, use some hand sanitizer before you touch anything you are going to eat.

 

Finally, always travel with cipro

[neverenoughtime]

Any news on the status of the Eclipse and the noro virus??

[Schplinky]

Any news on the status of the Eclipse and the noro virus??

 

 

Hopefully, nobody posting anything in three weeks meant there was nothing to post.

[librarylady19]

Hi Lee,

I hope you and Mike have an awesome TA. Can't wait to read more on yiur fantastic website. We will be on Eclipse in 7 weeks.

sandi

[Redtravel]

On cleaner ships and restaurants, buffet lines are served by servers with gloves. The guests hold their dishes and the server places the food on the dish. Handling the serving utensils from other people is a sure way to spread germs. I hate open self serve buffets for this reason. I for one, if I have to touch the utensils wash my hands before I touch my utensils or any food. I may be a bit OCD, but I haven't gotten sick . Unfortunately, it takes the cooperation of everyone to contain the problems. Wash hands and use purifying lotion...for everyone's safety.

[Norfolk Brit]

No problems on our cruise, which was the one after the norovirus outbreak; buffet reverted to self service after four days.

 

Mary

[BMT]

After my recent experience where most of the passengers came from Mediterranian countries, I saw that many of them did not use the sanitary sprays. Many countries don't have the same sanitary habits that the english speaking countries do.

 

We were on this cruise - fortunately, didn't catch it!! However, there were few non-English speaking passengers on board - apart from Americans:D -and not very many of those!! On our second day on board, we met an English man who wasn't well and when we said he ought to see the Doctor, he refused as otherwise they would put him in quarantine!!

 

The Indie has had many instances of noro and its mainly passengers from the UK. Usually lots of kids on board and its the kids who get the blame.

[jackdiamond]

What happens if you answer postive to the medical inquiries on the pre-boarding document?

[Schplinky]

What happens if you answer postive to the medical inquiries on the pre-boarding document?

 

You are denied boarding.

 

We were on this cruise - fortunately, didn't catch it!! However, there were few non-English speaking passengers on board - apart from Americans:D -and not very many of those!! On our second day on board, we met an English man who wasn't well and when we said he ought to see the Doctor, he refused as otherwise they would put him in quarantine!!

 

The Indie has had many instances of noro and its mainly passengers from the UK. Usually lots of kids on board and its the kids who get the blame.

 

 

We saw a survey the other day by, I think, the International Hygiene Council, which identified Germans, the French and Brazilians as having the best hygiene habits in the study. I think those who blame non-English speakers for such problems are not well informed.

[snow bunny]

January 2010 the Equinox suffered a bad case of Noro. While waiting for the ship to be sanitized I used the washroom in the holding area. A woman came out of a stall and left the restroom without venturing anywhere near the sink. Needless to say the bread was only out the first night of our 10 day cruise as after that we were served in the MDR and the buffet area for the remainder of the trip. Pretty sure the woman was able to read the signs that indicated that there was an issue with noro and to please use appropriate measures to limit the spread!

 

Snow bunny

[lizzy68]

I have one comment. Celebrity design fabulous ships. Why then, in public restrooms do they not have automatic sensor flushes which mean you dont have to handle seats or flush switches!!! I work in a state of the art UK hospital where our washrooms are better designed.:)