Norovirus on Sapphire

[CruiserDoc]

We are sailing on the 12 night Auckland-Sydney 2/23 departure. There are apparently several passengers sick with "the virus"-they can't confirm that it's Norovirus, but the Captain made an announcement after we left Wellington yesterday, warning everyone. They have crew members stationed at the buffet, serving food to every passenger. Suggestions for future travelers: bring some of the antibacterial gel along to use frequently. And don't touch the handrails. They seem to be trying to nip it in the bud, so hopefully it works!!

[Jeepers385]

Hope everyone stays well, remember washing the hands helps alot. What a good idea about serving to passengers at the buffet.

Debbie

[judynorth]

I heard on TV that the antibacterial gel does not work on Norovirus. Just wash those hands regularly and don't touch the handrails.

[GottoCruise]

I'm really nervous---will be on the Sapphire the 23 April....will bring masks, plastic gloves and be very aware! I hope it subsides - but when it gets on a ship it's really hard to get it off!!!

[mii]

Like Debbie said above (Hi Debbie) wash, wash and wash those hands. Hey Debbie some good memories on the Sapphire huh. Renee you are going to love the Sapphire. We had a dandy time on her.

marilyn

[Crowsie]

That's just great ...we're on board next.

Huge bummer. Feel sorry for the folks already on board...hope it's not too widespread.

[Joyfredsblondecruiser]

I am so sorry to hear about the virus on the Saphire. I always bring packets of alcohol and moistened towelettes. I agree washing is important. I think I will bring some liquid antibiotic soap in a small bottle. I agree washing hands is very important. Renee you idea of masks is a good idea too and gloves too. I hope they are able to nip this in the bud. Happy Sailing, Joy

[Crowsie]

Just came back from Target...
Got the hand sanitzer gel...will need it when on shore..even if it doesn't work on the virus.
Also stocked up on the alcohol wipes.

[chione]

We recently did the land & sea with Sapphire Australia / New Zealand(1/27/05 to 2/11/05) and I caught a bug and was able to kick it however my wife came down with it and has seen our doctor 3 times this week.I generaly don't ever catch anything and was puzzeled,now I see this Norovirus....WOW.Makes me wonder if that is the root of our problem.Good luck crossing the Tasman sea we had 25 to 30 ft waves with water coming by our balcony on the 9th deck it was the first time in 13 cruises that I got seasick.One crew member broke her wrist being knocked down from all the turblance.

[S&D]

Hi there to you all,

We are about to board the Sapphire for the 3 week trip thru Asia..with a group of around 50 happy cruisers from our roll call. A few of us have had various ailments this week and are just starting to get better now.. ...we definately don't want to be catching that virus...

We will take anti bacterial wipes/gel/spray...we also have anti sickness and diarrohea meds, but I suppose they will only be of use if we actually are unlucky enough to get the Noro.

Any other suggestions out there???

Chione.......we are not crossing that same area which has the big seas...we have often heard about it though, it is well known to be quite rough sometimes on the Aust/NZ crossings.

Happy cruising to everyone who reads these boards, you have all made our trip so much better by the great information that is exchanged on here. Thanks to all you Princess Cruisers out there..

Regards, best wishes,
S&D

[CruiserDoc]

The Captain reported today after sailing from Christchurch that there are less number of cases reported today than yesterday, but that we all need to keep on top of things. One of the crew members told me there are over 50 passengers that have come down with it. Captain seems to think if we all pay good attention, we'll be able to squench the virus--I sure hope so!!

[S&D]

Cruiserdoc,

Thanks for the update, much appreciated, let's hope it will be controlled pretty soon.

S&D

[totallynewtocruising]

Chione, I'm not a doctor but I had the unfortunate experience of catching the norovirus from a restaurant. I know because my friend who ate there with me got it at exactly the same time, one day later. There was nothing we could have done to prevent this as this was a very popular (non-chain) restaurant. I then - even though we tried to be careful - managed to give it to my DH (it gets in the air). If you are sharing a bathroom with an infected person you are very likely to get it. What I want to say is that if you have this, you know it. It's not like getting some cold or flu bug. It is very specific - think Linda Blair in Exorcist. (sorry, but I'm trying to be clear). So my guess is you could have caught a cold or something else on your trip.

The good thing about Norovirus is the worst is over with very quickly - typically in 15-24 hours (although it will feel like the longest 24 hours of your life). The body is often weak for a few days later. Still, as horrid as it is, it will not linger for weeks the way some colds or flus can.

Just stay healthy...

[Johanna7]

We were on the Jan. 18 - 30 crossing of the Sapphire and we did hear a rumor that there were 17 cases of the norovirus on board. We did not catch it nor did our tablemates.

As for not touching the handrails, hard to do sometimes, especially on the outside stairs when you go from deck to deck.

As for our crossing of the Tasman sea, it was so calm, it didn't even seem we were on a ship. This was most unusual from what we understood. We had perfect weather the whole cruise.

We found the Horizon Court difficult as there were no defined lines and everyone just went every which way. Like keystone cops. The food was good but hard to get at it at times. On sea days it was so crowded, it was difficult to get a seat anywhere near the Horizon Court.

I feel really bad for someone who has their vacation spoiled by that awful disease. We did get it once in 1999 on a cruise run by an English company in the Caribbean. We not only had the usual symptons but severe headaches as well. It was the worst night of my life. It is true that you do get over it fast but you never forget it. There were no quarantines then.

[mountainhouse]

As mentioned, use the sanitizer only when hand washing is unavailable, or in addition to hand washing. Some good info at this link:
http://www.colostate.edu/Orgs/safefo...R/v8n3s06.html
Lots of info here, for those that have not read it:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/.../norovirus.htm

[mik]

I watched an American program the other night which I found disturbing. Reporters boarded ships from four cruiselines including Princess. They used a device which would detect dirt and various bodily substances (I'll let you use your imagination!). Anyway, what they found was that on all four cruise ships, the cabins consistently were not being properly sanitized or cleaned. Substances found were on doors, blankets and bedspreads, desktops, handles. I am upset because I tend to be a bit of a freak about germs and uncleanliness; especially in light of so many viruses floating around these days. I love cruising but realize that I am bound to run into this problem. In addition to hand-washing, I plan to take my own means of sanitizing various surfaces in the cabin. What do you think?

[strawberryblonde]

We were just on the Sapphire 1/30 - 2/11 with two young children. Imagine telling them not to touch the walls or handrails . I did try, but they really needed the rails on the stairs.


We would wash our hands with soap and warm water before leaving our cabin to go to meals. Then we used the gel at the buffet. They would wash their hands with soap and water at the little sink in the Kid's Club before leaving. Other than that, we didn't do anything else. No alcohol wipes or Lysol spray. We didn't even catch a sniffle! None of the other children in the club came down with anything either, I think that was the key. If one child had gotton ill, they all would have caught it I think. I would remind my kids daily, not to touch their faces. That helped to keep them mindful.

I feel badly for those getting sick on the Sapphire. We enjoyed the ship so much and want for others to have a great experience. We are still all well, we didn't catch a thing on the Sapphire.

[S&D]

Hi there,

Any updates on the situation today,?? Hope all are recovering well, and they are getting it under control...

S&D

[Crowsie]

Bumping...hoping someone on board can update us..

[cherylandtk]

MIK, After the Novovirus reports started a few years back I began to take a container of those Clorox wipes on our cruises and first thing I do is wipe down all surfaces and handles in our cabin. TV remote, drawers, vanity, bathroom. I am not sure if it does much, but it makes me feel better and I don't fret about what might have been left there during the previous cruise. And no, we have not caught anything so far (3 cruises).