nautihog

Well, I am now convinced that there is no hand sanitizer that kills the norovirus, although I will still us hand sanitizer as well as frequent washing. I will not sing all those idiotic songs while I wash, because I still have the ability to count. Alcohol based hand sanitizer is effective in killing germs responsible for colds and seasonal flu....I think.

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2015/ucm453717.htm

Well, here's what I read: Does Alcohol kill norovirus?

There are many different norovirus strains and some are more resistant to alcohol than others. Here is a research paper that tested many strains of human norovirus against ethanol and isopropanol. Ethanol worked better than isopropanol. Some strains of norovirus seemed sensitive to ethanol and some strains seemed resistant. These tests did NOT show that after treatment with ethanol, the norovirus could or could not infect a human cell. They were just looking at whether the viral capsid proteins were damaged. Companies that sell alcohol based hand sanitizers usually say that they add other ingredients to make the ethanol more effective. We hope that is true and not just a marketing gimmick. The norovirus surrogate Feline Calicivirus is more resistant to ethanol than the other commonly used surrogate, murine norovirus.

Clorox Hand Sanitizing Spray

Clorox Hand Sanitizer Spray was tested and shown to kill 99.3% of the norovirus surrogate Feline Calicivirus. That is pretty good since Feline Calicivirus is very resistant to alcohol. Here is a link to the test data that I received from Clorox about it. This is a liquid spray hand sanitizer with 71% ethanol. It does not contain bleach. It is not available in most stores. You can order it on amazon. I don't know if it kills the norovirus or not but I have read that it does. I also read this: " www.emetophobia.org › ... › General Discussion

"Nov 1, 2012 - Clorox Hand Sanitizing Spray kills norovirus. This is a liquid spray hand sanitizer with 71% ethanol. It does not contain bleach. It is not available in most stores. You may be able to find it at Staples and Office Depot. You can also order it on amazon. I'd suggest getting a this 3 pack of little 2 ounce bottles to ." .....................Whatever. I am going to use it and practice good hygiene. That along with mass quantities of consumable alcohol and FORGETABOUTIT !

Well, what I learned from the replies is what I have read on the internet. Differing opinions. I had already did some research and learned that the few hand sanitizers that were known to be somewhat effective against the norovirus contained benzethonium chloride. Clorox Bleach Free Hand Sanitizer has benzethonium chloride as it active ingredient and it claims to kill the norovirus. There are other hand sanitizers that have that ingredient. However, my question was, "Does Oasis of the Seas use a hand sanitizer that is effective against the norovirus? The reason I ask is that if they did, I would not need to purchase a type that was know to kill the norovirus. I think I'll just order some and be done with it. I have been on 8 ships in my 70 years and have never gotten the norovirus. I never really thought about it much, but I am older now. I did actually come down with the real influenza on one cruise and that pretty much wrecked the cruise for me. That made me aware that sihte happens. So, now I wash my hands more frequently (always after using the restroom) and avoid touching anything in the wash room after I wash my hands. I will also be using the Clorox. Sounds as if I am worried about this and I am not. If I do contract the norovirus it won't be becasue I didn't practice hygiene. I will be because sheet happens.

Does Oasis of the Seas use hand sanitizer that is effective against the norovirus. The reason I ask is I recall going on a cruise on another non-RCI ship that used Purell. I understand that Purell is not effective against the norovirus. Can someone inform me. I would think that if they were going to go through the trouble of having hand sanitizer available, it would be a type that is effective on killing the norovirus. Please no lectures on hand washing. That is a given....

Thanks for the info!

Thanks. I was not certain, as we have never embarked from Port Canaveral. Our last cruise was out of Port Everglades and we made reservations for Park n Cruise, which I thought was a pretty good way to do it if you drove in yourself.

Thanks..... I just read that. No more reservations, but still plenty of parking spaces available.

I will be parking our car at Royal Caribbean's Terminal at Cape Canaveral this coming February 2018. I prefer to park right at Royal Caribbean's own parking ramp although I know there are better deals nearby, but I have my reasons. Does anyone know if reservations are necessary to park Royal Caribbean's Terminal #1 on "B" side. I now believe they don't take reservations any longer, but I wonder if there is plenty of parking in their ramp.

I will be parking our car at Royal Caribbean's Terminal at Cape Canaveral this coming February 2018. I prefer to park right at Royal Caribbean's own parking ramp although I know there are better deals nearby, but I have my reasons. Does anyone know if reservations are necessary to park Royal Caribbean's Terminal #1 on "B" side.

I have been reading some pretty negative things here about Labadee. Having visited many Caribbean islands in past years, I have learned that there are definitely places to stay away from. This February 2018 we are going to be making a stop there on our cruise on the Oasis of the Seas. I thought it was a private area owned (leased) by Royal Caribbean. Are there areas that you don't have to worry about being constantly pestered by people trying to sell their stuff? Are there market places you can shop in the private RCI area that you won't be pestered?

My wife and I use lanyards. I am not at all concerned if it doesn't look "cool." It is convenient and that is important. It is so easy to tuck it under shirt or even attach it to a belt loop and keep the card in my pocket. Hardly noticeable and difficult to lose or forget. They would not make them if there was not a demand for them. I like the idea of the WOWbands. they are RFID bracelets (radio frequency Identification). We are going on the Oasis of the Seas in February of 2018, but to my knowledge they will not be available. Perhaps some women don't like them as they may detract from the bracelets that they usually wear, but for me, I would like to try them.

in the lower right corner of your pass you'll see DX ... that's the magic! If you buy onboard they put a DX sticker in same place.

 

If you make show reservations, those too are just 'on your card' ... no longer you you get paper tickets. They just scan your card when you enter the venue ....

 

dunno how they handle shore excursions or speciality rest's as did not partake.

 

With a drink package your 'freestyle' cups should be in your room. if you pre-buy a VOOM package you should find a small card with your 'access code' .... this is what you need to signon for internet/wifi access

 

we sailed O for Turkey week

Thanks

You may or may not get receipt, we did not get any on our cruise last week, except for some wines by the glass which were over the 12 limit, if you order a 14 dollar glass you will get a receipt for 2.36, all other drinks including some good over 12 year scotch were covered

That make sense. I just want to be sure that at the end of the cruise I don't get big beverage bill. I will bring proof of the online purchase of the beverage package. I just don't want to get home and start making phone calls and that sort of thing. I would guess that if beverage package was not showing up when you made a drink order, they would present you with a receipt to sign and I would know that something did not get processed when I made the beverage package purchase.

Now, if they have another reduction in the beverage package before we embark, I will cancel the current packages and purchase new ones. Nothing like trying to make things more complicated, but a penny here and a penny there.......Thanks for the info!

Bring your confirmation of purchase just in case.

Right, I will and thanks.

When you get your sea pass card at check in it will state you have a beverage package.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Thanks

OK. Now two more questions. Will the pass indicate that there is a beverage package paid. And will we get zero balance receipts after each drink. Sorry for so many question. Been on about 7 cruises on different ships, but never purchased a beverage package before.

I purchased a beverage package for the wife and I yesterday online. Where and how do I get the cards? On ship? Mailed? If on ship, where on ship? Thanks

You will get answers here but you might want to post your RCI questions on the RCI Board.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=83

 

Keith

Yesterday I purchased the Deluxe Beverage package for our cruise on Oasis of the Seas in February 2018 online. Can someone tell me how I get the beverage cards? Will I be mailed the cards or is there someplace on the ship I pick them up when we embark? Is this usually a long wait in line for them? Thanks......

I do the exact same thing, but dh doesn't like it when I go. He's afraid something will happen to me.

He is right to be somewhat concerned. Just do a Google search. Though rare, sexual assault and even murder occur late at night or early AM on cruise ships and often it is by a member of the crew against a passenger.

Yes, it is terrible, but it is the ways things are. Like the saying goes, "Nothing good (anymore) happens after midnight" at least at my age.

Then there was a time when a young lady on ship asked me if I had a lanyard in my pocket or was I just happy to see her.

On board ship it tags you as a newbie - off ship it targets you for possible terrorist attack. Put the thing in your pocket.

I want to look like a newbie. I wish I were a newbie. You can't be a member of the "Domain of the Golden Dragon" and be a newbie. It doesn't take a lanyard for them to spot you. They can smell you from a nautical mile away. (Should I say they can detect your lack of smell.) However, ashore the lanyard is just in your way. That's when I put them in my pocket.

A great way to describe people. We are all "people watchers."

Someone should make a film of how people are reacting to not getting on board as quick as they think they should.

Please be sure to blur out my face.

This tipping caca has gotten out of hand. It's not tipping anymore. If anyone thinks it's tipping then they are fooling themselves. I don't believe in the exceptional service crap either. All the service should be exceptional. (Of course then nothing would be exceptional then, but you get the point.)

I believe they all should be paid a good wage. The fact is they are. There is a long waiting list for those who want the job, because they make a lot more than the people make in the countries they are from. If no, they would not be in the profession.

Yet, I do understand that giving a bit more may be incentive to work hard, though it appears they have to share all the extra tips also, so that puts an end to the incentive concept.

I will pay the gratuities up front and at the end of the cruise I will give each that I deal with $10-15 in the envelope and be done with it. If I feel that some have done a really bad job, there will be no extra tip. We will be giving more than some passengers and less than others.