Live from the Crown; 'Norovirus' precautions in full swing

[paul929207]

Thanks for the report.

 

Stay healthy and have a great time

[DrivesLikeMario]

..."Mystery". Princess has scaled back on soap. I was surprised to see the one ounce bars and not the larger round soap bars with the seawitch logo. Also I need to chase down my stateroom steward as my soap is only a sliver and its not replenished. No fresh soap everyday. Perhaps its just my steward but I find this odd. I will now note to pack my own bar soap on future cruises...

 

"hmmm".. and who was taken off the ship in handcuffs in San Diego? Walking down the gang plank. What could they have done.. obviously they could not 'escape completely' but perhaps they will 'come back new'. :)

 

The soap bars have been like that at least since last December. I totally agree with you - they are ridiculous. Having to ask for another one is a pain. Be careful if you pack your own bar of soap because it may not fit in the little shower soap cubicle. They're pretty small.

 

The second paragraph you wrote is hysterical!!!!!! :D

[cr8tiv1]

I appreciate your humor in trying to lighten up a difficult situation. I was close to booking this cruise and am so grateful that other activities got in the way.

 

Cruise Critic is very interesting to read. There are so many different writing styles (yours ranks right up there). Most everyone does an excellent job in personalizing their threads.

[#1Nanna]

You most definitely made me smile!!!

[redtogo]

I take my Irish Spring with me. Pack it in my checked bag in case TSA doesn't allow it in a carryon.

[rdsqrl]

It's going to be interesting to see how this develops, because as I posted back on Sunday evening (in the thread labeled "Problems on the Crown Princess") they were apparently aware of a potential norovirus issue before they sailed. (There was a lengthy delay in boarding caused by the time needed for thorough cleaning and sanitation.)

I see nothing "interesting" in this at all. What do you think is going to "develop"? It's a shame that the stomach flu is everywhere and can strike at any time, but I'm not sure what else you want Princess to do besides thorough cleaning and sanitation. They should cancel the cruise just because 39 people were sick? That means that 3061 people were not sick and were looking forward to a great time on a long-awaited vacation. Let's dial down the hysteria, shall we.

[RNGALNG]

Love that your cup is half full - all the time! Good for you! Hope the rest of your cruise is as wonderful! Can't wait to hear the rest!

[Salacia]

I see nothing "interesting" in this at all. What do you think is going to "develop"? It's a shame that the stomach flu is everywhere and can strike at any time, but I'm not sure what else you want Princess to do besides thorough cleaning and sanitation. They should cancel the cruise just because 39 people were sick? That means that 3061 people were not sick and were looking forward to a great time on a long-awaited vacation. Let's dial down the hysteria, shall we.

 

Sorry but it's not "just" 39 people that reported symptoms. See post #44

 

No hysteria, just the facts.

 

Best wishes to all concerned,

Salacia

Edited April 10, 2014 by Salacia

[luv2cruisin]

Here is an article from Santa Barbara Independent. We too were on the 49 day cruise and disembarked last Saturday. We had two outbreaks, but the last one was just prior to arriving in LA. Fortunately, we didn't get the norovirus, and we used our lysol wipes to clean down everything on first day there, as well as when anyone entered the room other than us. Pretty scary waiting to see if you'll get it right before you're due to see an amazing port. http://www.independent.com/news/2014/apr/09/cruise-ship-passengers-and-crew-sick-stomach-flu/#commenttoggle

 

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[caribill]

we used our lysol wipes to clean down everything on first day there, as well as when anyone entered the room other than us.

 

Good point.

 

Anytime a cabin steward, room service, maintenance person, etc. enters your room, there is always a chance of contamination if that person is coming down with noro but does not know it yet.

[Momma Mojito]

Good point.

 

Anytime a cabin steward, room service, maintenance person, etc. enters your room, there is always a chance of contamination if that person is coming down with noro but does not know it yet.

 

Or the person that does not stay in his cabin when affected!!!

[BridgeMates]

The soap bars have been like that at least since last December. I totally agree with you - they are ridiculous. Having to ask for another one is a pain. Be careful if you pack your own bar of soap because it may not fit in the little shower soap cubicle. They're pretty small.

 

We always take our own. You can get the smaller sizes of Dove soap in the Sample/Travel bins at WalMart and other stores. They fit in the soap holder ok.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info ..

[lady_cruiser]

Hello Cruisers,

I am currently on the Crown Princess sailing the California Coastal. First I would like to applaud Princess crewmembers who are continually hard at work taking all precautions that this outbreak of the Norovirus is combated. My posting at this time, is a reflection of what has come across my journeys on this ship, now day three.

 

Embarkation was delayed for extensive cleaning. We new something was up though I will say that 'Norovirus' was not mentioned nor 'code Red alert' but here we are in both situations.

 

Horizon Court; full service. I tend to enjoy this myself and the lines do seem to go by quicker, especially at breakfast. What this means is, at every station a Princess employee is selection your portion, and placing this on the plate. Right from pouring the milk on your oatmeal, to picking the perfect slice of bacon.:)

 

Dining Room; no bread on the table, but your Jr Waitier will come around with the breadbasket then come around with butter. Same wih the salt and pepper, everything sprinkle is done for you. This may be the reason for the very large delays with dining. We have 2nd seating and the 8:00pm dining has turned to entering the dining room around 8:30.

 

We (hubby and I) made the error of ordering room service. We should have taken heed of the announcement by the Captain that one day two again more cases have been reported. We finally cancelled our room service order of sandwiches and coffee, as it was well over an hour and headed to the Int'l Cafe.

 

Room attendants are wearing masks, or the ones that I have come across and gloves while cleaning.

 

When you are at the bar the table is immediatly wiped off and sanitized before you sit down. I actually had bubbles on my table that I thought was an elaborate piece of marble until the waiter wiped it all away. :-)

 

In short, the crew is working harder than ever, and I recognize this and applaud and appreciate them. The passengers around me are keeping upbeat and practicing cleaninlyness. I myself carry around wipes as I must use the handrails with my arthritic knee.

 

the casino is a mystery though, I don't see sanitation practice going on there (as in no hand wipes seen), and I am thankful I packed my own.

 

This is my 15th Princess cruise, and my first on a Noro outbreak ship. I will now add a few 'must-haves' to my packing list. Handwipes one of them.

 

Thank you. I've never sailed with Princess but am looking at the possibility of doing so Mid to Late 2015. It is good to hear how diligent they are in preventing a further outbreak. Although as of this morning the numbers of people sick have gone and the ship is back in port.

[greenie082756]

I appreciate your humor in trying to lighten up a difficult situation. I was close to booking this cruise and am so grateful that other activities got in the way.

 

Cruise Critic is very interesting to read. There are so many different writing styles (yours ranks right up there). Most everyone does an excellent job in personalizing their threads.

 

Agreed! ;)

[Scrapchick]

Update on the number reporting symptoms:

 

"SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Officials say the number of passengers believed to be sick with the highly contagious norovirus has nearly doubled aboard a cruise ship sailing to ports in California.

 

Princess Cruises spokeswoman Karen Candy said on Wednesday that 66 passengers and 17 crew members were sick and had to be isolated to their cabins aboard the Crown Princess. That's up from about 37 passengers who reported being sick while the ship was in San Francisco on Monday..." copied from http://www.theindependent.com/news/national/more-illnesses-aboard-princess-cruise-ship/article_af9c10d7-5845-5621-9bef-1f03d74a2e09.html

 

Wishing a speedy recovery to those who are ill. Best wishes to the hard working crew. -Salacia

 

We're on the ship... Pity they don't tell us, the passengers caught in the middle, how many people are actually sick... We were told numbers have stabilized as of yesterday... We have never been told how many people are affected and are getting that info from CC and media reports.

[24639]

I just overheard a ships officer saying that three more cabins are disembarking this morning. I wonder if it is due to illness or if they are in transits from the SA itinerary.

 

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[PescadoAmarillo]

Thanks for your report. So clever!

 

"hmmm".. and who was taken off the ship in handcuffs in San Diego? Walking down the gang plank. What could they have done.. obviously they could not 'escape completely' but perhaps they will 'come back new'. :)

We had this on the Emerald Princess in December. I found out later it was a Dutch citizen who had an old DUI on record in the US from which he had fled. He was led off in handcuffs on Day 1 of a B2B cruise, and on Day 1 of the second cruise, Came Back New and enjoyed the second half of his vacation. Luckily, by then, most of the people on the ship had no idea what had gone done just 10 days earlier, but I can tell you it's a bit of a surprise to see someone led off in handcuffs one day, and lounging by the pool another.

[Colo Cruiser]

We're on the ship... Pity they don't tell us, the passengers caught in the middle, how many people are actually sick... We were told numbers have stabilized as of yesterday... We have never been told how many people are affected and are getting that info from CC and media reports.

 

 

Does it really matter how many?

I don't think I would trust the media reports anyway. :eek:

[DrivesLikeMario]

We always take our own. You can get the smaller sizes of Dove soap in the Sample/Travel bins at WalMart and other stores. They fit in the soap holder ok.

 

Good to know! I didn't think the full-sized soaps would fit. :)

[whatcruiseisnext]

Good to know! I didn't think the full-sized soaps would fit. :)

 

 

Full sized soaps DO fit. We take our own soap on every cruise. Never had a problem not fitting.

[Salacia]

We're on the ship... Pity they don't tell us, the passengers caught in the middle, how many people are actually sick... We were told numbers have stabilized as of yesterday... We have never been told how many people are affected and are getting that info from CC and media reports.

 

Scrapchick, yes, I experienced the same thing last September when there was a noro outbreak on the ship we were on (not a Princess ship). I don't understand why cruise lines don't keep passengers informed - it would certainly avoid a lot of speculation.

 

Anyway, I'm sorry to tell you that Princess has reported another increase to the media:

 

"Karen Candy, a representative of Princess Cruises, released this statement:

"Onboard the current sailing of Crown Princess, there has been an increase in the number of cases of gastrointestinal illness among passengers. We believe the cause to be the common virus called Norovirus which is extremely contagious and easily transmitted from person-to-person. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports widespread Norovirus activity throughout North America that has affected people in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, childcare centers, as well as cruise ships this season."

 

All individuals who are ill (currently 94 passengers and 23 crew members), have been isolated in their cabins until they are not contagious.." -copied from http://www.cbs8.com/story/25212848/cruise-ship-with-sick-passengers-returns-to-san-diego

 

Best wishes, -Salacia

Edited April 10, 2014 by Salacia

[lady_cruiser]

We're on the ship... Pity they don't tell us, the passengers caught in the middle, how many people are actually sick... We were told numbers have stabilized as of yesterday... We have never been told how many people are affected and are getting that info from CC and media reports.

 

You are right about keeping informed. We were on a B2B, December 2012, on Royal Caribbean when the ship experienced a huge outbreak (over 200 people) the week before us. When we finally boarded the Captain kept us informed; 13 came down with the N-virus the first week we were on-board. As the numbers went down the Captain would come on the public over-head speaks and let us know; we're down to 10, 6, etc.

 

The second week the Captain still kept us informed. I think we only had one sick that week.

 

So yes, it is nice to be informed and I wish all cruise lines did this.

Edited April 10, 2014 by lady_cruiser

[Scrapchick]

Yes, it does matter how many people, when the captain is telling us the numbers are not increasing and Princess is giving information to the media to the contrary! Yes, to us on on board the ship, it would be nice to be given some solid information, seeing as it is freely available to the general public. The lack of transparency and open communication is key, especially as we're being lectured daily on personal hygiene because "we're all in this together."

[Scrapchick]

Melodyina, would love to meet up with you on the ship for a chat! You write very well and my Hubby and I were dying laughing over someone being led off in handcuffs! Did you see all the media vans lined up in front of the Crown and Grand this morning??

 

I'm in C515 if you fancy a chat and a coffee.