Crown princess steaming home!

[ONT-CA]

My question, have you ever signed one saying your had any symptoms of being sick? I have not and know of no one that has. That's my 2 cents.

 

There has been a posting where the passenger has retained blank forms and indicates "no" and signs it even before they get to the ship, regardless of his/her condition.

[nymshowdown]

But it was clean for about three weeks in Jan when we went. This is a new infection.

 

I had noro on Grand Princess back in 2004. 2 days of hell in my cabin that I'll never forget.

 

I was on the Jan 7th voyage of the Crown, no signs of Noro anywhere. Honestly, it was one of the best cruises we've done. Such a shame this is happening to the passengers now, wish them the best.

 

But, time for the reality check.

 

1) If passengers are still going to refuse doing basic things like wash their hands, trying to clorox all surfaces and putting things in baggies is going to do nothing but suck the fun out of your trip. Sure, your cabin might be as sterile as anything, but are you going to stay in your cabin all cruise? Are you going to sterilize every space you go to? Doesn't matter how careful you are, its the other passengers who could care less that are still going to cause the issues. Just like going to school, the mall, etc. It's life. Every step and breath you take is a risk. Enjoy it.

 

2) The crew members on ANY ship, not just the Crown, are already overworked and underpaid. I agree additional steps should be taken in making EXCELLENT hygiene practices mandatory for all crew (none of this grabbing glasses by the top, etc). However, you have to realize that sanitizing the ship daily, to pristine condition, is next to impossible. Many crew members must be working extended hours as it is attempting to cover for ill co-workers, let alone trying to clean an entire 900 foot long, 18 deck tall mega ship. Maybe the key here is hiring more cleaning staff per ship? I just don't know.

 

3) Financials. It's really easy for anyone here to say "they should have canceled this cruise before they left" or "put the ship in dock for 2 weeks." Get real people. This world we live in revolves around MONEY. Canceling a cruise easily costs Princess millions. The CDC cleared the ship, so why not take a shot at sailing? It may not be the moral decision to chose, but business wise they wanted to sail. Even the refund/future credit stuff they're offering MAY be better than what they would have got for canceling in the first place (still get 5 days of bar, casino, and tipping revenue to POSSIBLY offset the 25% credits, I don't know the exact numbers). In addition, can you imagine the cost of all this cleaning? Or putting crew up in hotels for a week of deep, no person on-board cleaning? Princess took the risk, it didn't work out, and now they'll sadly pay for it, both out of pocket and PR wise. Most unfortunately, the passengers ended up having to deal with this whole situation.

 

It's been a sad month for Carnival Corp. Lives lost, hundreds sick, and millions and millions of dollars evaporating as we speak. Here's to better times!

[lovevacadays]

Crazy reading this thread. Lots of opinions and statistics. I'm sorry to hear about the passengers who are on this cruise and have to experience it ending early. Obviously, a good decision by Princess but sad for those that plan their vacation and have it end like this.

[geocruiser]

Below is from Princess's web site.

We sincerely regret having to cut short our passengers' cruise vacations because of this highly-unusual situation. We will, of course, be refunding their cruise fare, arranging flights home, including covering change fees if air was not booked through Princess, providing hotel accommodation if necessary, and offering a 25% future cruise credit.

 

What I would like to know will Princess be paying the parking fee for people who drove there. I believe it is $15. per day.

[PhotoPete]

My wife was sick with what I presume was noro last weekend. We went shopping and had lunch Friday afternoon. By dinner time she was sick. She stayed in bed and I slept on the couch for a few nights so I would lessen my chances of catching it. She didn't eat all weekend and drank a little gatoraid. I would wash my hands after bringing her the drink. Never did catch it so I guess that is the way to avoid it.

[Mr XFT]

What I would like to know will Princess be paying the parking fee for people who drove there. I believe it is $15. per day.

 

Probably not. They are refunding the entire cruise fare and covering the change fees for changing flights to Thursday instead of Saturday. They aren't paying for the airfare itself, so I don't see them paying for any expenses related to driving yourself to the port. It should actually be cheaper, parking for fewer days. (unless you prepaid at Park and Go, then I think you're out of luck)

[lakegirl16]

I've browsed the various threads on Noro. Seems every day someone starts a new one :). Lots of opinions, lots of statistics.

 

I just googled Noro and find lots of reports in schools, hospitals, towns, etc. right now. So certainly it's everywhere not just on Princess. The one question, though, I find myself asking is why only Princess ships? I haven't seen any reports of Noro on other ships. I love Princess, so I am not being critical, just wondering!

[5326jan]

I've browsed the various threads on Noro. Seems every day someone starts a new one :). Lots of opinions, lots of statistics.

 

I just googled Noro and find lots of reports in schools, hospitals, towns, etc. right now. So certainly it's everywhere not just on Princess. The one question, though, I find myself asking is why only Princess ships? I haven't seen any reports of Noro on other ships. I love Princess, so I am not being critical, just wondering!

 

RCCL has also had a sick ship in the last couple weeks. It was out of New Orleans. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57371705/virus-strikes-cruise-ship-out-of-new-orleans/

 

Princess has only had 2 ships, however Ruby seems to be fine this week. (KNOCK WOOD!) It has nothing to do with the line, but the passengers that board either knowing they are sick or not yet showing symptoms. As you said, the virus is very active in the country. It only stands to reason that people will be bringing the virus on.

 

Most can be prevented by proper hand washing!:cool:

[cruisingallover]

The ship will be totally clean and safe, the people embarking however are the ones bringing the noro....so no place is truly safe, hope all stay well and enjoy your first cruise....warning.....cruising is additive........just completed our 115th.....

 

we carry lysol spray and spray our pillows (after removing pillow cases ) and the top part of the mattress.......we have never gotten sick when doing this.....

 

yes and no

 

many staff are sick and some refuse to stay in their cabin....no work, no pay after so many sick days taken :(

[missymerv]

Reading everyone's thoughts, concerns, complaints even kudos about the Crown coming home early is so sad. Both my cruises on the Crown were great. We had no issue on Dec 3 sail. Now this morning I see her sitting alongside the pier waiting to be disinfected and sanitized. :( Hope all the pax and crew get better soon.

[Cruzin-K]

http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/09/world/americas/mexico-food-poisoning/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

 

See, it doesn't just happen on cruise ships. 700 get "food poisoning" after a rally in Mexico.

[jodi58]

I've browsed the various threads on Noro. Seems every day someone starts a new one :). Lots of opinions, lots of statistics.

 

I just googled Noro and find lots of reports in schools, hospitals, towns, etc. right now. So certainly it's everywhere not just on Princess. The one question, though, I find myself asking is why only Princess ships? I haven't seen any reports of Noro on other ships. I love Princess, so I am not being critical, just wondering!

 

 

seems to be on the Silhouette also.

[VikingRob]

seems to be on the Silhouette also.

 

Measles at the superbowl!:eek:

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Probably not. They are refunding the entire cruise fare and covering the change fees for changing flights to Thursday instead of Saturday. They aren't paying for the airfare itself, so I don't see them paying for any expenses related to driving yourself to the port. It should actually be cheaper, parking for fewer days. (unless you prepaid at Park and Go, then I think you're out of luck)

 

Princess paid for our flights, not a change fee.

 

We were originally booked on Southwest and the bought us flights on USair.

 

In the bus waiting to leave for the airport.

 

In our case anyway Princess handled everything very professionally.

 

Bill

 

 

 

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

[jodi58]

Measles at the superbowl!:eek:

 

 

:confused:

[cruzinchris]

Safe onward travels for those disembarking the Crown today.

 

The latest update from Princess:

 

News Article

 

2/9/2012

 

Update on Crown Princess

 

Due to the increased incidence of gastrointestinal illness that occurred during the previous two Crown Princess cruises, the ship returned two days early to Fort Lauderdale this morning to undergo an extensive two-day sanitization.

 

In consultation with the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), who has informed us that there are widespread outbreaks of Norovirus occurring in the US, it was agreed that this was the best course of action to stop the spread of the illness. The cause has been confirmed to be Norovirus, which is extremely contagious and easily transmitted from person-to-person...

 

http://www.princess.com/news/article.jsp?newsArticleId=na1210

[flipflopfun]

Just wondering what everyone thinks of this product . . .

Gold Bond Ultimate Hand Sanitizer Moisturizer

Contains Benzethonium Cloride 0.2%

It is a really nice product, hands feel good after.

 

Here is a quote on Benzethonium Cloride:

Benzethonium chloride is a synthetic quaternary ammonium salt. This compound is an odorless white solid; soluble in water. It has surfactant, antiseptic, and anti-infective properties, and it is used as a topical antimicrobial agent in first aid antiseptics. It is also found in cosmetics and toiletries such as mouthwashes, anti-itch ointments, and antibacterial moist towelettes. Benzethonium chloride is also used in the food industry as a hard surface disinfectant.[1]

Benzethonium chloride exhibits a broad spectrum of microbiocidal activity against bacteria, fungi, mold and viruses. Independent testing shows that benzethonium chloride is highly effective against such pathogens as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Clostridium difficile, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus.

 

 

 

 

Again, according to the CDC, nothing is better than handwashing PROPERLY, but to add this, might be effective too.

[cantwaitfornextcruise]

yes and no

 

many staff are sick and some refuse to stay in their cabin....no work, no pay after so many sick days taken :(

 

Really on a ship, they have to work if they are sick :confused:

[H82seaUgo]

I've browsed the various threads on Noro. Seems every day someone starts a new one :). Lots of opinions, lots of statistics.

 

I just googled Noro and find lots of reports in schools, hospitals, towns, etc. right now. So certainly it's everywhere not just on Princess. The one question, though, I find myself asking is why only Princess ships? I haven't seen any reports of Noro on other ships. I love Princess, so I am not being critical, just wondering!

 

it all depends if an infected person boards a ship and contaminates others. ships don't "have" norovirus.

 

and yes, the voyager of the seas also has an outbreak.

[skippyy]

Odd thought....All these people with novo....big news when ships come home early for a scrub down....but consider those with novo flying to and from ships on tightly confined aircraft....never heard of Delta sanitizing a plane ? No reporting data for novo post flight ? I'm thinking some folks fly to ship with novo and then it spreads and ship (and crew) take the heat.

[martyap]

I have read about all sorts of sanitizing products/precautions on this board......clorox germicidal, PDI bleach wipes, Alpert D-2, wet ones, latex gloves. The germicidal wipes do not seem to be available in regular retail outlets and are $$ online when you add in shipping.

 

Walmart sells a Great Value All Purpose Cleaner w/Bleach (1.9%). If the purpose is simply to clean some stateroom hard surfaces such as door knobs and remotes, wouldn't packing a small 3oz spray bottle of this cleaner suffice. I use it at home all the time and it's about $2.00 for the quart.

[Galley Slave]

Does anyone know which Marriott the passengers are being taking to in Orlando? We have plans to be there in the near future. Hope everyone has a speedy recovery.

[Keel Haul]

I've browsed the various threads on Noro. Seems every day someone starts a new one :). Lots of opinions, lots of statistics.

 

I just googled Noro and find lots of reports in schools, hospitals, towns, etc. right now. So certainly it's everywhere not just on Princess. The one question, though, I find myself asking is why only Princess ships? I haven't seen any reports of Noro on other ships. I love Princess, so I am not being critical, just wondering!

This is the best place to check, on the left the cruise ship scores and information is interesting. http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/gilist.htm

[HazyDavy]

Does anyone know which Marriott the passengers are being taking to in Orlando? We have plans to be there in the near future. Hope everyone has a speedy recovery.

 

 

I think the first reported was that it was going to be the Marriott World Center in Orlando. Nice property but fairly isolated. They probably have transportation options to get to Disney though.

[wdrl]

3 or 3.5 oz is the limit for your carry-on. I suppose if you wanted to put a bottle of bleach in your suitcase, it would be OK. After all, you can ship alcohol home that way. Why not bleach?

 

. . . .

 

Just in case anybody thinks it's a good idea, don't try to bring a bottle of bleach on board a plane (checked or carry on luggage). It's considered a prohibited item.

 

Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items Carry-on Checked

Chlorine for Pools and Spas No No

Small compressed gas cartridges

(Up to 2 in life vests and 2 spares. The spares must accompany the life vests and presented as one unit) Yes Yes

Fire extinguishers and other compressed gas cylinders No No

Liquid Bleach No No

Spillable Batteries - except those in wheelchairs No No

Spray Paint No No

Tear Gas - Self Defense Sprays containing more than 2% by mass of Tear Gas (CS or CN). No No

Vehicle Airbags No No

NOTE: There are other hazardous materials that are regulated by the FAA. This information is summarized at http://www.faa.gov.