To use or not to use public toilets on board.

[chabad]

Having a random family discussion and would love to hear everyone's thoughts on would you or would you not use public toilets based off of what's going on with this coronavirus?

[Steelers0854]

I’m much more worried about the norovirus than the coronavirus.  As long as you wash your hands as recommended and use a towel to open the door I don’t have any concerns using a public bathroom. 

[Peachypooh]

You have to do what you think makes you comfortable. I venture to say that the public toilets

are usually very clean  as they clean them continuously. That said I would use a towel to open the door and

make sure I wash my hands thoroughly.

[KevintheIrishDJ]

We avoid them as much as possible.  

[kywildcatfanone]

I avoid them when at all possible, would absolutely prefer to go back to my cabin.

[Essiesmom]

I have never had a qualm about using public toilet.  EM

[birdiebill]

We use the toilet in our stateroom and avoid public toilets as much as possible to reduce the possibility of exposure to norovirus.

[BigGuy25]

I have no problems with them. And, I agree norovirus is a much bigger concern on ship’s at this time.

[Coral]

I also try to avoid them. One can't always but I always try to make it back to my room.

[susancruzs]

I rarely use them, figure I can go to my cabin, get some extra steps for my daily walk!  It doesn't concern me using them, but heading back to my cabin isn't a problem.

[CineGraphic]

I plan on not going to the bathroom at all during our next cruise.

I shouldn't be hard to find, I'll be the one with the funny walk.

[Jeter02]

Just now, CineGraphic said:

I plan on not going to the bathroom at all during our next cruise.

I shouldn't be hard to find, I'll be the one with the funny walk.

Depends is a person's best friend 😬

[weedpindle]

Be adult. Make up your own mind.

 

[gatour]

I have no qualms about using public toilets.  If I returned to my cabin every time I needed to use the facilities, it would seriously cut into my drinking time.  🙂

 

Serious though, I am religious about washing my hands, and if the door is not automated, using a paper towel to open the door upon leaving.

[billco]

The public toilets are just one part of a public ship. I would be more concerned about using a public elevator.

[pris993]

we avoid public restrooms - wash our hands constantly, never use the chemicals in the buffet... we have learned to set the cabin temperature at the lowest setting for heat before going to bed, so we don't have the cold air from the air conditioning blowing on us all night while sleeping... we avoid shaking hands with others as well.  Helps to keep us healthy when traveling

[5:00_Somewhere]

I have no qualms about using the public restrooms on cruise ships. As others have said, they are typically very clean and are cleaned constantly.  

 

That said, no matter where I go, I always make sure to wash my hands thoroughly and repeatedly, especially before eating; and I try to avoid touching my mouth (though I am not obsessive about it).

 

One thing I can say about using a public restroom is that it is highly (and disturbingly) educational with respect to other passengers' hand-washing habits. In my experience, the vast majority of passengers I see "washing their hands" in public restrooms do no more than stick their hands under the water for a second, dry them and leave. This does absolutely nothing to actually clean their hands; and if that's how they "wash their hands" when they think others might be watching, just imagine what they do (or don't do) in the privacy of their own cabins.

 

Regardless of where you choose to "relieve yourself", I highly recommend being conscious of your own "sanitation". That's the best way to help assure you will not become ill on a cruise.

 

We have more than 30 cruises under our belts, have always used the public restrooms regularly, and have never once gotten Norovirus (knock wood), even on ships that were on alert because it was present.

 

I don't know if that's helpful, but it's my 2¢.

 

Happy cruising.

[Mabbiesmum]

I always take the stairs if I possibly can, need the exercise, and avoid using the handrail if possible. If I do use the lift I use a knuckle to press the buttons and again don't hold the handrails. Followed by a handwash as soon as possible afterwards. 

[Hlitner]

Using public toilets should be OK as long as one practices good hygiene.   Do not touch your face, scrub your hands with warm soapy water, and do not touch any surfaces including the door or door handle.  Similar to another post, we have managed to avoid Noro despite having spent far more then 1000 days on cruise ships.  Our secret is to simply wash our hands, often, and minimize touching our face, eyes, nose, and mouth.

 

Hank

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

3 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

I have never had a qualm about using public toilet.  EM

Agree. They are kept clean. 

[mcrcruiser]

Wash Wash Wash your hands is the answer  before meals & after every bathroom use whether private or public to stay healthy any where .The Noro virus  can be any where there are people 

[waltd]

I have seen Princess recommend using your own cabin bathroom when ever possible especially during flu season.   But when you have to go you have to go.   

[jwattle]

1 hour ago, pris993 said:

we avoid public restrooms - wash our hands constantly, never use the chemicals in the buffet... we have learned to set the cabin temperature at the lowest setting for heat before going to bed, so we don't have the cold air from the air conditioning blowing on us all night while sleeping... we avoid shaking hands with others as well.  Helps to keep us healthy when traveling

"Chemicals in the buffet"?

[chabad]

what chemicals are in the buffet?

 

[summer slope]

Maybe they mean the Purell  stands.