Norovirus on Ryndam?

[cruiserchuck]

We are booked on the December 11 Ryndam cruise, and noticed that several people who were on the last Ryndam cruise have mentioned that there was a norovirus outbreak and a code red. Does anyone know if there are any problems on the current cruise?

[RuthC]

Noro comes, and noro goes. There's no telling just when it's going to rear itself.

Just because the ship is free of it this week does not mean it won't have it next. And just because it has it this week, doesn't mean everything won't run smoothly next week.

All you can do is take precautions and wash your hands. Then wash again.

[CaliforniaAC]

I agree with Ruth. It comes and goes.

 

Here's some things you can do: Wash your hands at least 30 seconds. Bring a few sanitizing wipers from home with you, and wipe down articles in your room such as handles and the telephone. Take hand sanitizer with you, and use it when you've been in public areas (ie: elevators and stair rails).

 

These things won't guarantee a Noro free trip. Also there are other illnesses that mimic Noro.

 

Not much use worrying about it. Have a wonderful time and enjoy!

[lka1012]

We boarded under Code red. In fact, boarding was delayed until 2 pm to "clean" the ship. The first few days were Code Red. No hot tubs, no self service, etc. But as of today, NO CODE RED. We will do our best to keep it that way for you. I will post towards the end to let you know how we are doing.

[CowPrincess]

But as of today, NO CODE RED

 

Yippee! What a relief that must be for the passengers and crew!

[Randyk47]

A couple of years ago we got off the Volendam without any problems during our cruise. The very next sailing got hammered with norovirus. Point is that there are no guarantees.

[Nancyquilts]

Nice to be off the code red. Salt and pepper and butter on the tables this morning.:D Now I'm looking forward to getting back on board and seeing the books in the library up close and personal. It's been really frustrating to see the books through a grill and not able to check whether they had already been read by picking them out and looking at the inside book cover. I haven't checked Cruise Junkie yet, but we heard there were over 30 ill on the last cruise, and one early this cruise. Obviously everyone has been washing their hands well. We even had wipes in the public bathrooms to use to open the door. We plan to leave the ship nice and clean for the Dec. 11th cruise. Nancy

[cruiserchuck]

Thanks for the update. It is good to hear that things seem to be back to normal. I understand your concern about the library. On our last HAL cruise, they also were on Code Red at the start of the cruise, and shut down the library. They did manage to keep the casino open, though. I guess since the library is not a profit center, there was no incentive to try to keep it open.

[Copper10-8]

Noro can strike anytime on any ship. Wash your hands and wash them often. Some of the HAL captains recommend washing them as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday Song" to yourself. Lots of birthday songs coming out of the public restrooms;) Have a great cruise on Ryndam!

[STEVENJAN]

Travelors Hot TipWhen traveling in areas of poor sanitation, or warmer climates where bacteria can quickly grow on exposed food, saavy travelors carry a bottle of grapefruit seed extract(GSE) and squeeze a few drops in water consumed with each meal, to combat the gastro-intestinal effects of exposure to food contamination. There is no vaccine against norovirus, and antibiotics are useless since they attack bacteria and not viruses.

www.hawaiihealthguide.com/healthtalk/display.htm?id=618

 

My wife and I used grapefruit seed extract and seem to be in good health after getting off the Ryndam. We also took precautions to wash thoroughly used tissue to open common restrooms and railings etc.

 

I have traveled to Mexico a number of times and I have used GSE each time. While others became ill, I did not.

 

www.diagnose-me.com/treat/T223917.html

Don't take my word for it, research it. I do not wish you to be ignorant brethren.

 

I hope everyone stays well. S.O.C. is so wonderful I don't want you to miss it.

[MadManOfBethesda]

We also took precautions to wash thoroughly used tissue to open common restrooms and railings etc.

 

The first time I read this I wondered to myself why anyone would wash a thoroughly used tissue to open a restroom door (or for any other purpose). I read it again and I still didn't get it.

 

Then finally, I had my "A HA" moment.

 

You took precautions to wash thoroughly - - comma - - used tissue to open common restrooms and (on) railings, etc.

 

This reminded me of the book by Lynne Truss: Eats, Shoots & Leaves.

 

Okay. I'm going to go get some more coffee now. :D

[STEVENJAN]

Sorry, i'm more used to texting than posting.

[BruceMuzz]

Just like it's cousin the flu, Norwalk Virus has a "season", when the chances of encountering it and catching it are far higher.

 

As luck would have it, the "Norwalk Season" occurs roughly at the same time as the "Flu Season".

 

You can catch either virus just about any time of the year, but if you want to increase your chances of suffering with either one, pack yourself into a crowded airplane, crowded hotel, crowded shopping mall, or crowded cruise ship this month and next.

[NevadaHiRoller]

I've been fortunate out of many, many cruises to never encounter the NV. I am always worried that one day my number is going to be up. It's the biggest thing that concerns me when I cruise. :eek:

[mamadot]

We had Code Red for several days on Ryndam in October but we were not affected by it in any way. There was a large group on board who seemed to be passing it around. The worst part was there were no chocolates in Explorer Lounge!

[Nancyquilts]

Greetings fromn La Paz, where the internet in the bus terminal is 15 pesos, less for an hour than two minutes on Ryndam.

The books have been freed, and I found two I hadn´t read (only finished one so far). Would have posted from Loreto yesterday, but the internet places were all closed on Sunday morning.

I came down with a cold (beats Noro) in Topolobampo, but dh took both free buses - one to Los Mochis and one to the beach. He enjoyed both.

Loreto is charming. We took a taxi for half an hour for $10, and saw some of the yankee enclave. It was interesting in that many of the homes had both a normal sized garage, and one that was very high. Seems it was for their boat, which was a good thing as there are as many pelicans as I have ever seen in one place, and the boats in the harbor are covered with ----.

We`ve had great weather. Today was another free bus trip - only cost was a tip to the driver. I probably will take a sea day at Cabo, as we´ve been there many times, but hope we keep the ship clean for the next cruisers. Nancy

[Paulchili]

Nancy,

Thanks for the update. We are all set to get on the Ryndam on the 11th.

Paul

[Copper10-8]

Greetings fromn La Paz, where the internet in the bus terminal is 15 pesos, less for an hour than two minutes on Ryndam.

The books have been freed, and I found two I hadn´t read (only finished one so far). Would have posted from Loreto yesterday, but the internet places were all closed on Sunday morning.

I came down with a cold (beats Noro) in Topolobampo, but dh took both free buses - one to Los Mochis and one to the beach. He enjoyed both.

Loreto is charming. We took a taxi for half an hour for $10, and saw some of the yankee enclave. It was interesting in that many of the homes had both a normal sized garage, and one that was very high. Seems it was for their boat, which was a good thing as there are as many pelicans as I have ever seen in one place, and the boats in the harbor are covered with ----.

We`ve had great weather. Today was another free bus trip - only cost was a tip to the driver. I probably will take a sea day at Cabo, as we´ve been there many times, but hope we keep the ship clean for the next cruisers. Nancy

 

 

Nancy, thanks for posting! Just a heads up in case you've never been there, consider a trip to Todos Santos, about an hour's drive north of Cabo. Definitely an interesting place with lots of arts stores (if you're into that kinda thing) and, of course, the Hotel California