Staying Well

[jandm]

Until now we have been fortunate to not have been on any ship which was infected with the Norovirus at the time of our cruise. We have some cruises planned for this summer and since the virus continues to be a problem, I would like to ask for some opinions on practices that others believe may help passengers avoid the virus. Frequent handwashing is a given. Does anyone who was on an infected ship believe they did other things that helped them avoid the virus? Does anyone who was sickened by the virus believe they did something that caused them to be infected? I know these responses may only be opinions, but I believe they might be helpful. This is not in any way a negative post. I am truly interested in obtaining information which might keep us healthy, since becoming ill is the only thing that will ruin our cruise. Thanks

[sue d. miller]

Don't touch rails, weel basically anything that anyone touches..... impossible. I constantly wash hands take anibacterial soap, and wipes that i keep in my tote. Then when I touch something I can wipe my hands immediately. If someone sneeses, duck. It is so hard, cause the virus is everywhere. Grocery sores, airports, hotels, schools, anywhere. So what are the chances of catching it on board? Anyone of the people that boarded may have come in contact in any one of these places. Just do the best you can.

 

Sue

7 days on Star Princess 10/24

 

GROWING OLD IS MANDATORY..... GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CruiseFever]

The first thing we do when we board is go to the cabin and "bomb" it with air sanitizer. Not Lysol but Ozuim air sanitizer. We'll do that from time to time throughout the voyage.

 

In the restroom, we don't touch the toilet or door handles. We even put a hand towel or toilet paper between us and the handle when flushing. This is THE biggest transfer area for the virus according to the CDC. Princess was really good about leaving the doors propped open on our Golden cruise just for that reason.

 

Although evidence is mixed on it's effectiveness we bring small, pocket sized vials of hand sanitizer (Purel or generic) as well as a large pump size bottle for in the cabins and use it all the time.

 

We've never been sick and I don't think we're just lucky. I take that back; based on my casino performances I KNOW we're not lucky so there must be something to taking precautions.

 

Here's more:

 

http://www.lifeiscruising.com/misconceptions

 

Also,when this is a problem or we suspect it is we stay far away from self service buffets.

 

Happy Cruising

 

Chris

 

www.LifeIsCruising.com

 

Next up:

Caribbean Princess 06/26/04

Star Princess 10/24/04

Diamond Princess 12/22/04

Sapphire Princess June '05

Caribbean Princess 09/17/05

Carnival Valor 10/30/05

 

[rxmurphy]

These are all precautions one should be taking ANYWHERE, not just on a cruise.

 

 till happy hour on Sapphire!

 

[BJS]

Local paper had an entire article about staying well when traveling. They included the fact that most people who become ill while traveling have caught the "bug" while on the airplane. The reason for this they said was because of the air circulation system - if someone who is ill sneezes in 28C someone in first class is just as likely to become ill as anyone else.

Suggestion made for the airplane were to use antibacterial wipes to wipe seat belts, tray tables and arm rests. Take Vitamin C before boarding. Bring water and fruit to have on the plane, drink 8 oz. water every hour, Purell to clean your hands before eating and put something like Boroleum under your nostrils to keep them moist. If someone near you is ill try to lean away but you will probably become ill.

 

Future cruises:

9/04 Star Princess-Med.x2 Venice to Barcelona/ Barcelona to Rome

11/04 Dawn Princess-Southern Caribbean

Jan. 05 Diamond Princess-Mexican Riviera

July 05 Star Princess-Baltics

Aug. 05 Star Princess-Baltics

Past cruises:

04 HAL-Amsterdam-Alaska

04 Dawn Princess- Southern Caribbean x2

03 Grand Princess-W.Caribbean

03 Sun Princess -Mexico

03-Tahitian Princess-Tahiti/ Cook Islands

03 Royal Princess-x2 British Isles & Norwegian Fjords/ Iceland

03 Island Princess-Panama Canal

01 HAL Ryndam x 2-S. America San Diego to Valpariso/ & around Cape Horn to Rio

00 Sky Princess-China/Orient

79 Sitmar's Fairwind- Caribbean/Panama Canal

[Italy52]

One place most people don't even think about is the casino. When I was on the Dawn in April I witnessed the most disgusting thing. This man sneezed all over his slot machine. He didn't even turn his head away. There were germs flying everywhere. Maybe that was his way of ensuring no one would use his machine. Sure kept me away.

[catdancers]

Chris:

What exactly is Ozium air sanitizer and where do you get it? Is it a hospital grade spray? Thanks!

 

Norway 8/83

Norway 11/85

Golden Princess 11/01

Golden Princess 3/02

Star Princess 11/02

Diamond Princess 4/04

Coral Princess 12/04

Caribbean Princess 9/05

[cruznliz]

As a "victim" in 2003 I'd like to add:

1. Stay out of the public restrooms. There's no reason why you can't make the time to go back to your own cabin.

2. As fun and fast as the buffet is, stay away at all costs. Being served in the dining room (breakfast, lunch and dinner)is the safest way to eat.

 

When my husband and I were ill last year the first questions the ship's doctor asked us was had we been in any public restrooms and where we had eaten.

 

Grand Princess Transatlantic - August 27, 2004

[jandm]

Thanks for the replies. I would also like more information about Ozium. Are spray cans permitted on airplanes?

[Sandy R]

I use Wet Ones antibacterial handiwipes to wipe down the arms of my airplane seat as well as the tray table and metal part of the seat belt... got my husband doing it too. I also put mentholatum under my nose, a hint I read on this board a few years ago. I'll have a small bottle of Purel in my purse, too. I like Purel better than Wet Ones on my hands... Wet Ones leave a sticky feeling. I intend to take Lysol with us on our August Alaska cruise and spray everything we'll be touching in our cabin as soon as we embark... including the hangers (that hint is also from the board). I'll be taking immodium and dramamine along in the event we do have symptoms. That said, we travel out of the U.S. a few times a year and usually for a month at a time so, I take along a pharmacy of items both prescription (especially an antibiotic) and over-the-counter. My husband thinks I'm somewhat over the edge with all the precautions I take but when we were in China and he got that pesky Beijing cough, he was relieved I had what he needed! I, too, would like to know what Ozium and Boroleum is.

 

Sandy

[AmyBeth68]

I carried packets of anti-bacterial gel in my purse. Before eating we santized our hands. Fortunately we all stayed noro-free on our past two cruises.

 

Also, as another post mentioned, we did not eat in the buffet once we heard that the virus was circulating on board.

 

We also tried to avoid the public area restrooms at all costs...but with two young girls it wasn't always an option to return to the cabin. We always used hot water,plenty of soap and the 20 second rule (count to 20 slowly) while washing. People looked as like we were crazy as we counted with our hands in the sink LOL...but it worked .

 

Good Luck!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call. Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall. You've seen it all, you've seen it all." Jimmy Buffett

 

Cruises:

RCCL Song of America May 1994

Grand Princess April 2003

Golden Princess April 2004

 

Next Cruise:

Diamond Princess April 2005

[Coral]

I am also one that avoids the buffets for this reason.

 

I am curious about the hand santizing gel they use at the buffets - I wonder if you can buy it? I had heard (not sure if it is true) that Purell won't protect you from norovirus though the hand santizers at the buffet say that they will.

[CruiseFever]

Ozium "Cleanses the air with glycolized action. Effectively reduces airborne bacteria and eliminates smoke and odors. Lighter-than-air particles are dispersed into the air where they remain suspended for 3-4 hours, sanitizing, deodorizing and leaving a fresh fragrance"

 

We've always packed it in our carryon luggage so we can hit the cabin right away rather than wait for our checked luggage to arrive.

 

Originally we used it just to freshen up the room but since the Norwalk issue has come up so much I find that it is commonly used in hospitals where sanitation is a must.

 

Actually I remember using it in my dads little airplane when I was a kid then later in the 60's when I was a pot-head.

 

My how how things change

 

Happy Cruising

 

Chris

 

www.LifeIsCruising.com

 

Next up:

Caribbean Princess 06/26/04

Star Princess 10/24/04

Diamond Princess 12/22/04

Sapphire Princess June '05

Caribbean Princess 09/17/05

Carnival Valor 10/30/05

 

[Suncat]

Chris:

 

Where can you buy Ozium?

 

Thanks!

 

Can't wait to sail on the Caribbean Princess!

 

[DDJ]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Suncat:

Chris:

 

Where can you buy Ozium?

 

Thanks!

 

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;7;31;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500

Can't wait to sail on the Caribbean Princess!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

 

 

I was going to ask the same question. Where do you buy Ozium?

 

RCCL-Sovereign of the Seas-9/91- Caribbean- 7 days

RCCL-Majesty of the Seas-11/92 - Caribbean-7 days

RCCL-Legend of the Seas-11/95-Panama Canal-11 days

 

Grand Princess - 11/98 - Caribbean-7 days

Dawn Princess - 10/2000-Caribbean-7 days

Star Princess - 5/18/02 - Alaska cruisetour-12 days

 

Celebrity - Galaxy 12/13/02 - Western Caribbean-10 days

 

Island Princess - 11/26/03 - Panama Canal-10 days

 

 

Southern Caribbean - Golden Princess - 9/12/04

 

 

Hawaii - Island Princess - 2/3/05

[SA Traveler]

We found it yesterday at Walgreen's. We'll be on the Island on 7/3 so we decided to give it a try. Lou

 

'til Alaska on the Island Princess

[spongerob]

We've made the decision to avoid eating in the Horizon Court area entirely. I've seen far too many people leave the restroom without washing and head directly for the food line. Ewww!

 

Completed:

Sea Princess, Royal Princess, Grand Princess (3X), Caribbean Princess, Golden Princess

 

[DDJ]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SA Traveler:

We found it yesterday at Walgreen's. We'll be on the Island on 7/3 so we decided to give it a try. Lou

 

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

 

 

Is the Ozium in an aerosol can or just a pump? Just wondering if we will be able to take it on the airplane? Thanks, Jean

 

RCCL-Sovereign of the Seas-9/91- Caribbean- 7 days

RCCL-Majesty of the Seas-11/92 - Caribbean-7 days

RCCL-Legend of the Seas-11/95-Panama Canal-11 days

 

Grand Princess - 11/98 - Caribbean-7 days

Dawn Princess - 10/2000-Caribbean-7 days

Star Princess - 5/18/02 - Alaska cruisetour-12 days

 

Celebrity - Galaxy 12/13/02 - Western Caribbean-10 days

 

Island Princess - 11/26/03 - Panama Canal-10 days

 

 

Southern Caribbean - Golden Princess - 9/12/04

 

 

Hawaii - Island Princess - 2/3/05

[Mezzaluna]

I found it here.

 

I always carry Purell; I use paper towel (when available) on the handles of the water faucet in the restrooms. I NEVER touch the handle of the bathroom on the way out with bare skin! I also do not touch the handrails on escalators, the buttons on elevators, or pens at service counters; if I forget, I always use the sanitizer.

 

Seeing that I work in a viral soup, A/K/A a middle school, I'm a bit less frantic about some of these problems. I keep a pump bottle of sanitizer on my desk at all times and instruct my students to use it when they cough, sneeze or whatever (). They seem to like to handle the soles of their shoes a lot- why, I can't imagine- but they are sent to the Purell pump when I manage to catch them. They are also to use it when they return from the bathroom so I don't have to worry about how thoroughly they've washed their hands!

 

Use common sense and you should be okay!

 

Stella Solaris '80

Carnival Celebration '92

RCCL Majesty of the Seas '01

Coral Princess '04

[Guest]

Originally posted by SA Traveler:

We found it yesterday at Walgreen's. We'll be on the Island on 7/3 so we decided to give it a try. Lou

 

see ya on the 3rd...

 

Rhonda

[charli]

You might try this handwashing routine. My young students all hum "Happy Birthday" twice during handwashing. We all leave the bathroom with cleaner hands and a happier heart.

[Xteechr]

Having just experienced a bout with this virus I have a few suggestions for 'staying well'. The secret is to keep it out your body and it seems that the route in is through the mouth. It would be great if you never touched anything (or anyone) for the entire cruise (impossible) but its always good to be aware of places where the virus can be transferred to you (bannisters, washrooms, shared utensils, even shaking hands). However the most important thing is to get into the habit of avoiding putting the hands over (or into) your mouth as so many of us do unconsciously. Sharing finger food is a definite no-no and avoid drinking beverages out of the bottle or can. Always pour the liquid into a clean glass or cup. An if you are in your cabin, don't handle the ice cubes with your hands. You should always wash your hand just before you eat as that will get rid of anything which may be planning on making its way into your mouth.

Finally, if you do get the virus follow the doctor's (and CDC) quarantine orders. You will likely be contagious for at least 48 hours and it is your responsibility to avoid passing the virus on. The hygiene precautions do work. With two of us ill in the cabin, my wife stayed with us for the quarantine period and did not become ill!!

[98Charlie]

I haven't seen Ozium. However, if it states that it is and that it is effective against airborne bacteria, it probably does nothing to combat Norovirus. Virus are different from bacteria. Virus need a host to reproduce and do not generally survive long on surfaces.

 

From what I understand the best prevention for a virus is proper handwashing. I am in no way suggesting that anyone abandon any procedure to reduce the risk of becoming ill. We use hand sanitizer and follow good and frequent handwashing policies.

[Shelli]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I haven't seen Ozium. However, if it states that it is and that it is effective against airborne bacteria, it probably does nothing to combat Norovirus. Virus are different from bacteria. Virus need a host to reproduce and do not generally survive long on surfaces. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

It's possible to catch the virus from touching a surface someone with it has touched, so obviously it survives long enough! For what it's worth, Lysol spray *does* kill viruses (as well as bacteria) on surfaces. Haven't read the label on Ozium, so I don't know if it does the same thing.

 

The Ultimate Cruise Kit

 

Coming up: Caribbean Princess - September 2004

 

[98Charlie]

Shelli - You are correct that virus do have a life span on surfaces. The Ozium comment regarding bacteria came from Chris' previous post. Lysol or household bleach diluted to 10% can be used to kill virus on surfaces.

 

From Centers for Disease Control, the main infection routes for Norwalk Virus and Norwalk Like Virus are Foodborne, Waterborne, and Person-to-Person Transmissions. Proper handwashing on the part of everyone (including crew and other passengers) is the first line of defense.

 

For more info: CDC

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> From My Previous Post

I am in no way suggesting that anyone abandon any procedure to reduce the risk of becoming ill.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>