We were on this sailing and my spouse got sick. We generally consider ourselves to be very communicable-disease aware since COVID (hand sanitizer, masking in crowded spaces, using elbows to push buttons, etc.) however I thought I would share some things we have learned during our experience over the last few days.
Things we would prepare for next time:
- Norovirus is not killed by usual alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Surfaces (including fabrics) can still harbor the virus for up to 2 weeks. Microban sanitizing spray specifically mention killing norovirus on their label.
- Next time we will store toiletries outside of the bathroom. Once my spouse got sick I considered anything in the bathroom contaminated with airborne particles. My tiny Lysol travel spray was not enough for what was out. I threw away our toothbrushes and bought new ones at the "gift shop." Everything else was put in a Ziplock back for sanitation once we got home.
- In retrospect, we should have reconsidered or cancelled our shore excursions when they notified us of an outbreak. The tour operators seemed to operate as usual including snorkeling and self-serve buffets. When we asked, the operators said items were sanitized but now we are questioning that.
- I'm not sure what medical was issuing for vomiting, but we were given generic imodium for diarrhea and were charged quite a bit for it. We usually bring it, but they dropped it off before we realized what it was. I was also grateful Pedialyte packets are also on our usual packing list. They came in handy.
- We were required to fill out a food/drink/activity survey for the 5 days prior to symptoms. We will try to take pictures next time in case we need to document it again.
Other items to note:
- Early on we observed there was not much in the way of ongoing sanitization (wiping down surfaces) compared to other cruises we have been on. Even towards the end of the sailing there seemed to be medium effort.
- One staff member we interacted with regularly that got sick and had only a few hours off (current OSHA guidelines say return to work after 48 hours of no symptoms). This person was handing us menus, serving food and drinks, etc. We might not have even known they was sick if we hadn't interacted with them several times up until that point and noticed their absence and asked.
- Once we notified medical of the illness, a cleaning team arrived hours that sanitized the bathroom, replaced towels, and wiped down a few walls. I did not have any symptoms and was not offered any alternative arrangements to use another bathroom or otherwise protect me from getting it.
- Communication with the staff about our instructions for disembarkation was delayed and inconsistent. I would think 3 years since COVID this type of thing would be somewhat more organized.
- We were some of the very last people to get off the ship and were escorted by medical personnel and in very small groups. By then all shuttles, taxi's, ubers, etc. were long gone. We had to wait a while for something to finally come, but there were others who had earlier flights that were panicking.
We have another cruise scheduled for later this summer, but this experience has put a big damper on our enthusiasm to book again.
