Sun Princess

[Cruisemagpie]

Sun Princess still having norovirus problems a month after our cruise and at least 3 whole ship sanitations previous to our cruise.

Perhaps the problem is partly due to the cleaning practices, poor food handling practices in the buffet (letting food cool) and the dual use of some pay restaurants where they are used by guests for socialising during the day. These areas were not cleaned before evening use. Whatever the case the seriousness of the outbreaks appears to have been understated by Princess Lines as up to 70 cabins a night were infected on our cruise and the medical centre overwhelmed according to cruise staff.

[Colo Cruiser]

Sun Princess still having norovirus problems a month after our cruise and at least 3 whole ship sanitations previous to our cruise.

Perhaps the problem is partly due to the cleaning practices, poor food handling practices in the buffet (letting food cool) and the dual use of some pay restaurants where they are used by guests for socialising during the day. These areas were not cleaned before evening use. Whatever the case the seriousness of the outbreaks appears to have been understated by Princess Lines as up to 70 cabins a night were infected on our cruise and the medical centre overwhelmed according to cruise staff.

 

Noro is everywhere and Princess does an excellent job mitigating.

What good would it do to alarm the passengers onboard with the news of all outbreaks?

How do you know there were 70 cabins? Assuming is not good.

 

Your first post on CC? No mention/review of your cruise before?

You can thank your fellow non hand washing passengers for some of the issues as well as those that board sick. :(

Edited February 3, 2017 by Colo Cruiser

[Gwendy]

2000 passengers, approx 200 ill. That's 90% who are not affected. Until all people practice good hygiene in this confined atmosphere there will be Noro.

People don't wash hands after toilet, touch buffet items with those same hands, fill water bottles they have been drinking out of at the water cooler. Yuk.

Wash your hands frequently and often, use utensils provided at buffet, fill a cup with water and pour it into your water bottle, you are not at home you are sharing facilities with lots and lots of other people.

A woman next to me on one cruise dropped the serving tongs on the floor, said oops no one saw that did they? And replaced them in the food container.

Rant over.

[sfaaa]

Nothing Princess can do if passengers refuse to sanitize their hands or have poor personal hygiene.

[fishywood]

Perhaps the problem is partly due to the cleaning practices, poor food handling practices in the buffet (letting food cool) and the dual use of some pay restaurants where they are used by guests for socialising during the day. These areas were not cleaned before evening use.

 

Though technically Norovirus is classified as food-borne, that is almost never how it is actually acquired on a cruise ship. Passengers give it to themselves by touching an unclean surface and then eating, drinking, smoking, rubbing their eyes, blowing their nose or using the toilet without washing their hands first. Crew food handling and/or food temperature is rarely a relevant factor for Noro. (Now if the illness was found to be salmonella or another bacterial infection, then you can blame the food)

 

 

...p to 70 cabins a night were infected on our cruise

 

Cabins--or any other inanimate objects--do not get infections. People do. And what they had were viruses in the first place.

[easyboy]

Sun Princess still having norovirus problems a month after our cruise and at least 3 whole ship sanitations previous to our cruise.

I wonder where that doubtful info came from.

[Aus Traveller]

Sun Princess still having norovirus problems a month after our cruise and at least 3 whole ship sanitations previous to our cruise.

Perhaps the problem is partly due to the cleaning practices, poor food handling practices in the buffet (letting food cool) and the dual use of some pay restaurants where they are used by guests for socialising during the day. These areas were not cleaned before evening use. Whatever the case the seriousness of the outbreaks appears to have been understated by Princess Lines as up to 70 cabins a night were infected on our cruise and the medical centre overwhelmed according to cruise staff.

Noro is a very unpleasant virus to contract. But, food going cold in the buffet will not cause it although it could cause food poisoning. I have noticed that whenever noro occurs on board, the level of sanitising goes up several notches. It wouldn't matter that the steakhouse is in a section of the buffet that was used the the day as the buffet - it would be extremely well sanitized as soon as noro is detected. The staff work their butts off.

[OzKiwiJJ]

There was a noro outbreak on the first cruise we did, on Sun Princess in December 2014. I was very impressed by the efforts of the crew to keep the ship as clean as possible. As well they did a deep cleanse at one of our ports stops, mid-cruise.

 

However it was obvious that some passengers were not reporting their illness and were continuing to move around the ship while sick. Dinner tablemates reported a child vomiting in the Horizon Court - apparently the crew swooped in with obviously well-practised decontamination procedures. But we heard that the child's parents didn't like being told to take him to their cabin and keep him confined. :eek:

[Kalleroo]

SUN PRINCESS is the only Princess vessel we have sailed on.

The first time was in 2007 and we had no problems with the back to back cruise we had. Did not even hear of the virus that is a problem the last few years with this vessel.

I have cruised now for many many years and am an Elite member.

The first time we had issues was back in 2010 in a Mini Suite we could smell the stench of sewerage. Then we were told some cabins on the lower decks were having toilet problems, [besides the blockages] the toilets were over flowing onto the carpets.

This last cruise on the SUN PRINCESS we were on Deck 10 and could smell sewerage, we could smell the kitchen fumes too. Yes we did close the door to the balcony. I became sick for the first time when we arrived at Burnie. I stayed in my cabin for over 24 hours and my husband became sick 5 days later. We disembarked on 18th Dec, and heard the following Christmas Cruise had the same issues. Now we read the same issues are on the boat in Queensland.

We ALWAYS take with us liquid sanitizer and liquid soap.

YES WE USE THEM.

My first belief was it was the passengers, but this has been going on for so very long I think it is a situation of a Asymptomatic carrier. They show no signs of the problem but can carry the virus on them all the time. Until Princess flush out their crew, this ship will never be clean. I would never go back on her if you paid me. Sad to say. When on the top deck we also noticed that one of the funnels was damaged, we also noticed that thick black smoke was being omitted out of the same funnel every 15 minutes exactly. I timed it with my watch. Sad to see a vessel with such a wonderful history find itself in this situation. I think she has had so much cosmetic surgery it is high time she had a serious refit in the Engine Room and perhaps the Galley.

Don't you think it strange that no other cruise ship sailing in Australian waters doesn't have the very same issues?

We been on HAL, P & O and Royal Caribbean the last decade and have not had problems with them. Indeed sailing with my late parents in the 1950s prior to air conditioning on these boats we had to suffer the smells of ship skins down in the hold. Not even then did we have this virus. Princess needs to get serious about this problem with the oldest vessel in their fleet.

[Colo Cruiser]

SUN PRINCESS is the only Princess vessel we have sailed on.

The first time was in 2007 and we had no problems with the back to back cruise we had. Did not even hear of the virus that is a problem the last few years with this vessel.

I have cruised now for many many years and am an Elite member.

The first time we had issues was back in 2010 in a Mini Suite we could smell the stench of sewerage. Then we were told some cabins on the lower decks were having toilet problems, [besides the blockages] the toilets were over flowing onto the carpets.

This last cruise on the SUN PRINCESS we were on Deck 10 and could smell sewerage, we could smell the kitchen fumes too. Yes we did close the door to the balcony. I became sick for the first time when we arrived at Burnie. I stayed in my cabin for over 24 hours and my husband became sick 5 days later. We disembarked on 18th Dec, and heard the following Christmas Cruise had the same issues. Now we read the same issues are on the boat in Queensland.

We ALWAYS take with us liquid sanitizer and liquid soap.

YES WE USE THEM.

My first belief was it was the passengers, but this has been going on for so very long I think it is a situation of a Asymptomatic carrier. They show no signs of the problem but can carry the virus on them all the time. Until Princess flush out their crew, this ship will never be clean. I would never go back on her if you paid me. Sad to say. When on the top deck we also noticed that one of the funnels was damaged, we also noticed that thick black smoke was being omitted out of the same funnel every 15 minutes exactly. I timed it with my watch. Sad to see a vessel with such a wonderful history find itself in this situation. I think she has had so much cosmetic surgery it is high time she had a serious refit in the Engine Room and perhaps the Galley.

Don't you think it strange that no other cruise ship sailing in Australian waters doesn't have the very same issues?

We been on HAL, P & O and Royal Caribbean the last decade and have not had problems with them. Indeed sailing with my late parents in the 1950s prior to air conditioning on these boats we had to suffer the smells of ship skins down in the hold. Not even then did we have this virus. Princess needs to get serious about this problem with the oldest vessel in their fleet.

 

 

 

They are very serious about it already.

You will find this happening with any cruise line.

It happens in hotels/resorts/buses/trains/airlines and on and on.

The reason why it sounds like the cruise lines have an issue is they are the only ones required to keep detailed records and reporting to the CDC.

It's no worse than anywhere else one travels.

[floridalover5623]

A woman next to me on one cruise dropped the serving tongs on the floor, said oops no one saw that did they? And replaced them in the food container.

Rant over.

 

You should have asked her if she does the same thing at home.

[Kalleroo]

They are very serious about it already.

You will find this happening with any cruise line.

It happens in hotels/resorts/buses/trains/airlines and on and on.

The reason why it sounds like the cruise lines have an issue is they are the only ones required to keep detailed records and reporting to the CDC.

It's no worse than anywhere else one travels.

 

What is the upsetting and worrying thing is the frequency it happens on

the SUN PRINCESS. Yes it happens sometimes on other vessels but

not with the frequency it happens on the SUN PRINCESS.

[fishfire]

I've never sailed on the Sun Princess, but I have contracted Noro virus on 3 different cruises. I took steps to ensure I don't get it again. I carry my own sanitizer to use after holding handrails (I have balance issues and need the rails). I also quit eating at the buffet except when it first opens because it is impossible to monitor all passenger behavior. I haven't had it since taking these steps. It is important for people who are sick to seek treatment and keep to themselves while contagious.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Colo Cruiser]

What is the upsetting and worrying thing is the frequency it happens on

the SUN PRINCESS. Yes it happens sometimes on other vessels but

not with the frequency it happens on the SUN PRINCESS.

 

 

I am afraid it does.

The Crown had the same issues in the past.

Every cruise was a deep clean for several cruises.

[Cruisemagpie]

The ship was unsuccessfully sanitised a number of times before we boarded. The trend to blame the passengers is not helpful in solving the on going norovirus problem on the Sun Princess. We all seemed to survive shopping, trains, airports, supermarkets, eating out etc before boarding and did not pick up the virus but 2 days into the cruise passengers became ill despite all the precautions put in place. People were becoming ill who would not even use the lift and avoided touching surfaces and were washing their hands regularly. Something is definitely not right on the ship.

The cleaning practices and food handling procedures we found to be not satisfactory. Wiping tables and chairs in the buffet with the same damp cloth was questionable. ( this practice improved to using soapy water as the problem escalated). Food cooling in the buffet, scaping scraps from one platter onto fresh platters in the buffet is not acceptable and against health guidelines for buffets. The norovirus can also be spread through food if food handling procedures fail. We would not sail on the Sun again as the illness placed staff and passengers under stress and interfered with the cruise experience. The crew we spoke to said they had never seen anything like what was happening in many years at sea. Some think we are new to cruising because we do not list ships we have sailed on suggesting that the original comment on the problem were irrelevant but we have cruised over 45 years and just about seen it all and had a few rounds with the norovirus despite all efforts to stay out of it's way.

[Cruisemagpie]

Well the crew members we spoke to could be lying. But the captain kept telling us each day that more cases were reported over night and the running totals were of interest to the crew we chatted to. As to our cruise experience and what that has to do with reporting on your adventure remains unclear to us but for the record, 45 years of regular cruising covering most cruise lines with cruises from 2 weeks to 3 months. Also taught ballroom on Princess and other lines. Reports of Sun Princess norovirus problems are on Google and reported in the press so no secret.

[Cruisemagpie]

Thanks for reading and commenting. The point made was that some food and cleaning practices were questionable on the ship bringing into the discussion the issue of whether or not other health practices were satisfactory. The norovirus can be transmitted by food if there is failure in the food handling and safety procedures. As for the reported "cabins infected" each day the crew we spoke to would well say things like "60 more cabins reported ill last night" so must be in house expression for the Sun Princess as the captain talked about cabins and disinfecting them during the crisis. Actual people infected would be a guess as it was unclear if one or more in each cabin became ill. But certainly the Sun Princess has been hit hard by the norovirus for an extended period of time and it may be simplistic to blame new passengers each cruise.

[AngieRossini]

Has anyone got any up to date information on the Sun Princess re: the norovirus - we heard the 16th Feb. 2017 in Brisbane had 140 people infected and also the 26th Feb still had cases and a deep clean was done ?? We are scheduled to sail on 5th march 2017 and would like more info.

Thanks

[Kalleroo]

No updates.... only what we read in the media...our argument is if people that got sick are so filthy dirty by being sick with this virus, [ if you listen to the passengers that don't get the virus and the crew ] how come they don't get the same sickness at home! We travel with Dettol hand wash and sanitizers and for the first time ever got this virus on the cruise last December prior to Christmas. That is having been cruising for donkey's years.

[Credit 00]

The Sun Princess is the only cruise ship I've been sick on, 2015 Vanuatu south pacific. It was only for a day but it was bad.

[caribill]

In the USA, per the CDC, norovirus is the 2nd most prevalent illness with the common copld being number one. Over 20 million cases a year.

 

The norovirus also affects many people outside of the USA.

 

It is possible that each new sailing brings new passengers on board who have the norovirus and do not know it. Also, it can be contracted by passengers when in a port.

[AngieRossini]

That sounds like a bit of a stretch to me - but thanks for the replies.

I wonder why it is so hard to get current information from the ship??

[Kalleroo]

The Sun Princess is the only cruise ship I've been sick on, 2015 Vanuatu south pacific. It was only for a day but it was bad.

 

 

:D

Same here, it is the only cruise ship we have been sick on also.

We liked the crew they were very pleasant.

Personally I think this all started back in 2010. Prior to that we had been on the Sun and did not hear of any sickness.

In the 2010 cruise ex Fremantle up to Asia and back, a 26 day cruise, was very nice. But the lower deck passengers were telling us of horrific stories of their toilets flooding all over the carpets!! Now even if you rip up the carpets months later, the liquid will have got into the metal seams of the structure and the germs are imbedded into the vessel.

This in turn could have got into the air conditioning system. The ship always smells now of sewerage we feel.

Husband being a civil engineer thinks it is in the air conditioning system in some areas.

Whether it is or not, Princess took a long time to fix the issues, they must have some idea of what the problem is, it cannot be that the passengers are bringing it on. If that were the case we would all be sick at home on a regular basis. Why aren't all the other cruise vessels also having the same problem on a regular basis?

I know we will never return to the Sun whether we try another vessel remains to be seen. I don't want to be sick again and feel weak for five days after. it is not just the time one is kept in the cabin vomiting it is also the time after feeling weak.

[Kalleroo]

2000 passengers, approx 200 ill. That's 90% who are not affected. Until all people practice good hygiene in this confined atmosphere there will be Noro.

People don't wash hands after toilet, touch buffet items with those same hands, fill water bottles they have been drinking out of at the water cooler. Yuk.

Wash your hands frequently and often, use utensils provided at buffet, fill a cup with water and pour it into your water bottle, you are not at home you are sharing facilities with lots and lots of other people.

A woman next to me on one cruise dropped the serving tongs on the floor, said oops no one saw that did they? And replaced them in the food container.

Rant over.

 

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/news/princess-cruises-fined-for-dumping-oil-waste/

 

 

Also Princess have managed to keep this news item quiet, we found out about it the day before we boarded the Sun Princess in the December cruise.:mad:

[Kalleroo]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/news/princess-cruises-fined-for-dumping-oil-waste/

 

 

Also Princess have managed to keep this news item quiet, we found out about it the day before we boarded the Sun Princess in the December cruise.:mad:

 

Gwendy you are being na?ve I am sorry to say.

We take Sanitizer and Dettol hand wash with us and use it.

Have cruised for many years since with my late parents as a child, not in all those times have we been sick.

You saying we were sick because we do not wash our hands having been to the toilet I take offence to. That simple is not true. I am an Elite member too.

The last cruise was on the Sun and the only time in all those years have we been sick.

The only difference in this cruise to the last cruises was I used tap water to clean my teeth, I usually use the bottle water to clean my teeth.