Camp Carnival Cleanliness

[BarbMatt]

Hi,
With all this hype about H1N1, as well as the constant noro virus on ships, how clean are the kids clubs? Do they clean toys and so on? Just wondering if anyone knows of any policies or if they've encountered anything good or bad from the camp carnival in terms of cleanliness.

THanks
: )

[crusinmama06]

They seem to be about as clean as a regular school. You know how the schools wipe everything down but they aren't exactly eradicating every germ? That is how I would explain camp carnival. There are some rather large toys in the camp (like a play kitchen) that I am betting they can't get 100% clean. But there was nothing that caused any concern for me.

And actually, thinking back on it now, I don't remember my kids getting even a minor cold after our Carnival cruises. But they did after our Disney cruises. Not saying one is dirtier than the other, it was just the luck of the draw

When Noro hits a ship, everything is bleached, re-bleached and then bleached again.

[A&Jfamily]

Originally Posted by BarbMatt

Hi,
With all this hype about H1N1, as well as the constant noro virus on ships, how clean are the kids clubs? Do they clean toys and so on? Just wondering if anyone knows of any policies or if they've encountered anything good or bad from the camp carnival in terms of cleanliness.

THanks
: )

They do clean the toys and appear to be very aware of germ transmission - the first thing every kid does each time he comes into camp is wash hands at the direction of the counselors.

Like Cruisinmama, my kids have never gotten sick after a cruise.

[lifeguardjen]

I was watching Dr Oz yesterday and it was about traveling and all the germs that are spread around. One of the big tips he said was to give American Ginseng to everyone which somehow prevents people from getting viruses. We always get sick on every cruise we on, so we're def going to try this next time.

[sharktums]

On Royal Caribbean (Liberty and Navigator) for the Under 3 programs they were CRAZY with the purell and clorox wipes. Made all of the children wash up before and after, and were constantly wiping down toys.

On our Transatlantic, the Europeans were just laughing about all of this. Blaming the crazy germophobe Americans for all of this!

It was actually kind of overkill and funny.

[jam82]

Camp Carnival seems VERY clean for a kids play area. Germs can be an issue anywhere. I'm more concerned about my son touching the handrail on the stairs and the spoons on the buffet, than the toys at Camp Carnival. I've seen the staff wiping down the handrails and changing out spoons, but since Camp Carnival is used by less people than the handrails and the spoons, I feel it is safer.

[addie19]

Originally Posted by sharktums

On our Transatlantic, the Europeans were just laughing about all of this. Blaming the crazy germophobe Americans for all of this!

It was actually kind of overkill and funny.

I think it's quite interesting that they were laughing about the germophobe Americans. The only cruises that either me and my husband or my parents have ever sailed on AND gotten sick were a Europe river cruise and a transatlantic cruise! "Norwalk" virus is no picnic!

Has anyone considered getting vaccinated for H1N1 because they were cruising to Mexico? I wasn't going to but now I'm wondering if it might at least be beneficial for my son. I also don't want to go through the hassle of locating any....

[larronry]

Because of my son's asthma I'm always paranoid and especially with H1N1. Last year I remember the first thing they had him do when he entered was wash his hands. Although I'm always worried it's not to the extent that I wouldn't send him, after all he goes to preschool and was already exposed to H1N1 (before Thanksgiving so not worried about it coming out on the cruise).

I did ask my TA and so far, knock on wood, no outbreaks or issues on the ships. My son, who has gotten sick after going to Disney and various business trips with me (just once I want to go to sea world with my son instead of attending a lecture all day) has never gotten sick after a cruise.

Thanks for the ginseng tip was going to run and get some to use for seasickness but now I have another great use. I have to locate that Dr. Oz ep now. lol

[jam82]

Originally Posted by addie19

I think it's quite interesting that they were laughing about the germophobe Americans. The only cruises that either me and my husband or my parents have ever sailed on AND gotten sick were a Europe river cruise and a transatlantic cruise! "Norwalk" virus is no picnic!

Has anyone considered getting vaccinated for H1N1 because they were cruising to Mexico? I wasn't going to but now I'm wondering if it might at least be beneficial for my son. I also don't want to go through the hassle of locating any....

Yes, we did the H1N1 vacine and yes, we were cruising to Mexico. However, there is a much better chance of my son getting the virus here at home: pre-school, store, activities, parks and birthday parties than there is him getting it in Mexico. Mexico got a bad rap for H1N1.

[imsulin]

Originally Posted by jam82

Yes, we did the H1N1 vacine and yes, we were cruising to Mexico. However, there is a much better chance of my son getting the virus here at home: pre-school, store, activities, parks and birthday parties than there is him getting it in Mexico. Mexico got a bad rap for H1N1.

Agree with you!!

The other thing I love is the "anti-bacterial" usage, like Purell. H1N1 is a VIRAL infection. Hmmmm - bacteria/virus. Big difference.

Washing your hands is still the best way.

[Julienatul]

We just bring hand sanitizer and wash hands frequently. My DD has been on 8 cruises and has never gotten sick on or after any of them. She is in daycare and gets exposed to everything. Bring along kids meds (tylenol/motrin/benadryl) etc just in case. H1N1 hasnt been any worse than the regular flu. I am a pediatric nurse practitioner and have diagnosed hundreds of kids with it. Not one has even had to go to the hospital with it, all have recovered perfectly fine even with underlying conditions and without tamiflu. Not saying it cant happen just giving you some reassurance. I was informed all ships carry Tamiflu and testing and the ships doctors are well trained in treating it.