cementhands Posted December 31, 2019 #1 Share Posted December 31, 2019 Going on the Bliss in February and we’ve been seeing Facebook post recently about buffet service by staff only. Many think this translates to a norovirus outbreak. Anyone currently onboard the Bliss know for sure? We’ve been on other cruises that removed the salt and pepper shakers from MDR. That and crew cleaning more than ever seemed to be tell tale signs. I remember many more washy washy crew with the hand sanitizer that same cruise. Just concerned about this because of wife’s compromised immune system she’s very careful avoiding hot tub and pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallux Posted December 31, 2019 #2 Share Posted December 31, 2019 There were some health issues during the Panama Canal transit from LA to NY, don't think anything has been said about issues on that ship since then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katsumom Posted December 31, 2019 #3 Share Posted December 31, 2019 There was some talk of a respiratory issue on the last sailing so they delayed the NY departure for the current cruise by a few hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKR2011 Posted December 31, 2019 #4 Share Posted December 31, 2019 I've heard it was more flu like symptoms than noro, and I also heard from someone on board that they stopped having the staff serve, so I guess it's blown over a bit. Right now the flu symptoms are skyrocketing all over the country, so that's not a surprse. Hopefully by February, the flu will die down a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoniMommy Posted December 31, 2019 #5 Share Posted December 31, 2019 I wish the crew would do the buffet service all the time. It seems like it would prevent noro outbreaks. Or at least have someone preventing people from refilling personal bottles at the drink stations. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megalyn Posted December 31, 2019 #6 Share Posted December 31, 2019 11 minutes ago, MoniMommy said: I wish the crew would do the buffet service all the time. It seems like it would prevent noro outbreaks. Or at least have someone preventing people from refilling personal bottles at the drink stations. Or just make some dang water bottle refill stations like the airport where the size accommodates a tall bottle without touching anything!! Using the tiny cups from the buffet area to refill a 32 oz water bottle is not good for anyone. /end rant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoniMommy Posted December 31, 2019 #7 Share Posted December 31, 2019 3 minutes ago, Megalyn said: Or just make some dang water bottle refill stations like the airport where the size accommodates a tall bottle without touching anything!! Using the tiny cups from the buffet area to refill a 32 oz water bottle is not good for anyone. /end rant Amen! Instead of trying to rid ship of Noro why not prevent it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallux Posted December 31, 2019 #8 Share Posted December 31, 2019 2 hours ago, Megalyn said: Using the tiny cups from the buffet area to refill a 32 oz water bottle I had no trouble filling mine using the sink in a balcony room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoniMommy Posted December 31, 2019 #9 Share Posted December 31, 2019 4 minutes ago, hallux said: I had no trouble filling mine using the sink in a balcony room. Unfortunately, many passengers refil at the buffet which is not sanitary. They put their bottle directly under the drink dispenser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VideoTech Posted December 31, 2019 #10 Share Posted December 31, 2019 2 hours ago, MoniMommy said: Amen! Instead of trying to rid ship of Noro why not prevent it. And that comes right back to the passengers. If everyone would practice good sanitary procedures, there would be far fewer outbreaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted December 31, 2019 #11 Share Posted December 31, 2019 5 hours ago, cementhands said: Going on the Bliss in February and we’ve been seeing Facebook post recently about buffet service by staff only. Many think this translates to a norovirus outbreak. Anyone currently onboard the Bliss know for sure? We’ve been on other cruises that removed the salt and pepper shakers from MDR. That and crew cleaning more than ever seemed to be tell tale signs. I remember many more washy washy crew with the hand sanitizer that same cruise. Just concerned about this because of wife’s compromised immune system she’s very careful avoiding hot tub and pool. There was an outbreak of the flu or similar upper respiratory illness last week. The ship’s departure this week was delayed for additional cleaning between cruises. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cementhands Posted December 31, 2019 Author #12 Share Posted December 31, 2019 People onboard now are stating it was a flu outbreak. Even some performers were sick. These things happen with all the different people coming onboard. Fill a clean cup with ice and water then pour into your drink bottles . Washing hands constantly. Avoid touching your face with hands. Drink water to flush out the toxins. Avoid hot tub. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted December 31, 2019 #13 Share Posted December 31, 2019 2 hours ago, MoniMommy said: I wish the crew would do the buffet service all the time. It seems like it would prevent noro outbreaks. Or at least have someone preventing people from refilling personal bottles at the drink stations. It would not prevent noro. Many more people touch elevator buttons, railing, chair arm rest, condiments in all restaurants, menus. The most germ ridden thing in any room is the TV remote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted December 31, 2019 #14 Share Posted December 31, 2019 If a ship has a Noro outbreak on board I think you can be assured that the crew will do everything in their power to minimize the affect. We were on board where there was an outbreak late last year and the crew were brilliant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoniMommy Posted December 31, 2019 #15 Share Posted December 31, 2019 Yes, but I dont eat after touching those things. In the buffet even if you wash your hands just before entering, you have ty o touch utensils that have been touched by others who may not have washed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyinpa Posted January 2, 2020 #16 Share Posted January 2, 2020 On 12/31/2019 at 1:20 PM, MoniMommy said: Yes, but I dont eat after touching those things. In the buffet even if you wash your hands just before entering, you have ty o touch utensils that have been touched by others who may not have washed. doesnt matter if they washed. they still sample food while in line, pick their nose or come out of the buffet bathroom while not washing the hands. u just have to assume every single surface is a mine field and you will be safe...maybe....then they touch the tables and plates that may have been touched and returned to position. thats being said, i was in the buffet last week at least 4x and didnt get sick. we should be given tasers so when we see people in the bathroom leave without washing we can tase them. i always wanted to ask them, do YOU care if i dont wash my hands then touch you? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob brown Posted January 2, 2020 #17 Share Posted January 2, 2020 On 12/31/2019 at 12:25 PM, MoniMommy said: Unfortunately, many passengers refil at the buffet which is not sanitary. They put their bottle directly under the drink dispenser. This practice amuses me... these folks must think the tap water from there is “cleaner” than the tap water in their cabin...AFAIK, it is all the same... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ziggyuk Posted January 2, 2020 #18 Share Posted January 2, 2020 48 minutes ago, bob brown said: This practice amuses me... these folks must think the tap water from there is “cleaner” than the tap water in their cabin...AFAIK, it is all the same... My understanding is it's filtered in the restaurant, hence no chlorine taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Greenpea2 Posted January 2, 2020 #19 Share Posted January 2, 2020 My friends are on board now and say all is fine. There was a deep cleaning, but everything good now. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cementhands Posted January 2, 2020 Author #20 Share Posted January 2, 2020 30 minutes ago, Greenpea2 said: My friends are on board now and say all is fine. There was a deep cleaning, but everything good now. Thanks for sharing your information. Looking forward to boarding soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKR2011 Posted January 2, 2020 #21 Share Posted January 2, 2020 57 minutes ago, ziggyuk said: My understanding is it's filtered in the restaurant, hence no chlorine taste. It absolutely tastes better at the buffet. Just to brush teeth on The Escape, we used our free bottle of water. We learned on the very first day that the cabin water is nasty! I always pack a big 40oz hydroflask myself, but honestly I find it easiest if I ask a bartender to fill it. I just have to hold the lid and the straw. That way I'm not clogging up the beverage station in the buffet. I do wish they had those nice water fountains with bottle fillers. Now that would be awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aceparty Posted January 2, 2020 #22 Share Posted January 2, 2020 1 hour ago, Greenpea2 said: My friends are on board now and say all is fine. There was a deep cleaning, but everything good now. That's good we get on sunday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob brown Posted January 2, 2020 #23 Share Posted January 2, 2020 3 hours ago, ziggyuk said: My understanding is it's filtered in the restaurant, hence no chlorine taste. 2 hours ago, AKR2011 said: It absolutely tastes better at the buffet. Just to brush teeth on The Escape, we used our free bottle of water. We learned on the very first day that the cabin water is nasty! I always pack a big 40oz hydroflask myself, but honestly I find it easiest if I ask a bartender to fill it. I just have to hold the lid and the straw. That way I'm not clogging up the beverage station in the buffet. I do wish they had those nice water fountains with bottle fillers. Now that would be awesome! I was not aware of that...I’ll confirm it with the Chief Engineer when I am on the Gem next week... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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