Marina: Lima to Papeete...let’s get real

so, our 13th cruise with Oceania was this Lima to Papeete run. Overall, we have some 30 cruises with predominantly 3 cruise lines.

Let’s get real about this situation on Marina during our Lima to Papeete cruise: PASSENGERS did NOT wash their hands after using the restroom, even after they KNEW we had a problem onboard. I observed this while onboard. It’s disgusting.

True story: AFTER the passengers were aware of the outbreak on this cruise, some guy walks up to the pool bar, sees that the bartender went back behind the door to fetch some glasses, and proceeds (I kid you not) to reach over counter, open the jar of olives, STICKS HIS HAND IN, grabs a handful of olives and has the gall when questioned by a fellow passenger, simply says, “oh it won’t hurt anything”. How do you know you aren’t transmitting the germs? Jesus God, man, give me a break...

Let’s face some basic truths:

Yes, passengers are the MAIN problem with outbreaks. I’ve seen it time and time again.

I am APPALLED at those who blame the cruise line.

Wake up folks: YOU bring the “cooties onb oard, YOU refuse to wash your hands after using the restroom, YOU transmit the virus.

Grow up. Own the situation as much as the cruise line does.

That behavior is on Seabourn. I gave up the buffet for lunch after observing 3 ladies leave the toilets on their way to lunch WITHOUT washing their hands. Needless to say they avoided me for the rest of the cruise which was just fine.

When I stated my observation on the mid-cruise comment card, the Food and Bev Manager, the head of Housekeeping and the GM called us to acknowledge the situation and to apologize....not their fault of course but we appreciated their calls. They also expressed their frustration as we were not the only passengers who complained....on this cruise and other cruises as well. . The next day and every day following, a notice regarding hand hygiene was in the daily bulletin. They didn't heed the suggestion of staff serving at the buffet though.

I stopped using the public toilets and will only use the one in our cabin.

DISGUSTING is correct!!! Disgustingly Amazing.....

No doubt that too many passengers have a disgusting lack of personal hygiene habits, but the response of ship's management to the outbreak was clueless. Why does one cancel trivia but keep the casino open? The casino is probably most filthy and germ-ridden place on the ship. Think about all those fingers and hands that have touched the slot machines. You know why you keep the casino open and drop trivia? Pretty simple...the casino is a high revenue-generating profit center. Trivia generates $0 income.

:)

No doubt that too many passengers have a disgusting lack of personal hygiene habits, but the response of ship's management to the outbreak was clueless. Why does one cancel trivia but keep the casino open? The casino is probably most filthy and germ-ridden place on the ship. Think about all those fingers and hands that have touched the slot machines. You know why you keep the casino open and drop trivia? Pretty simple...the casino is a high revenue-generating profit center. Trivia generates $0 income.

Exactly. Bingo open too.🧐

I also wonder that so many people think it is the sole fault of the cruise line. Many passengers insist on shaking hands and grabbing food from the buffet, like bread, with their hands. I was also surprised to read that some cruisers ask for compensation from the cruise line when they get sick with gastrointestinal problems and get confined to their room to protect others.

Ivi

No doubt that too many passengers have a disgusting lack of personal hygiene habits, but the response of ship's management to the outbreak was clueless. Why does one cancel trivia but keep the casino open? The casino is probably most filthy and germ-ridden place on the ship. Think about all those fingers and hands that have touched the slot machines. You know why you keep the casino open and drop trivia? Pretty simple...the casino is a high revenue-generating profit center. Trivia generates $0 income.

The reason they didn't have trivia is because the cruise director conducts it and he was sick for 5 or 6 days from what I'm reading.

It seems that quite a few of the crew might have been sick on this trip also from things I've seen posted.

blame it on a socially permissive society and people thinking only about I and me..... You are un important its all about them, you see it every day call it rude or entitled the end result is the same. Its what our culture in the western world has fostered.... As Walt Kelly said" we have met the enemy and he is us"

The reason they didn't have trivia is because the cruise director conducts it and he was sick for 5 or 6 days from what I'm reading.

 

It seems that quite a few of the crew might have been sick on this trip also from things I've seen posted.

He was out for 4 days max out of 10 and we had an assistant cruise director anyway.The reason we were told was pens!

Have no idea how many staff were out I haven’t seen anyone post even an average figure.Although they had extra work regard code red,they also had a lot less work.

blame it on a socially permissive society and people thinking only about I and me..... You are un important its all about them, you see it every day call it rude or entitled the end result is the same.

You're right. It's also because these people are likely doing the same thing at home.....not washing their hands at home, in restaurants or anywhere else in public. I don't care how educated or wealthy they are....some people just have poor hygiene habits.

I'm a nurse (therefore a bit of a germaphobe) and work in a hospital. I see the most disgusting habits from patients and visitors. Obviously their parents didn't train them up properly.

Have no idea how many staff were out I haven’t seen anyone post even an average figure.Although they had extra work regard code red,they also had a lot less work.

I don't understand this statement. How is it that they had a lot less work? If Oceania handles things during code red anything like I saw on HAL then the entire staff and crew put in a tremendous amount of work. In addition to the extra cleaning around the entire ship, there are extra shifts that need to be covered for sick people by these same people. There did not appear to be any level of employee not putting in long hours and extra effort. Was this not the case for the Oceania employees?

He was out for 4 days max out of 10 and we had an assistant cruise director anyway.The reason we were told was pens!

Have no idea how many staff were out I haven’t seen anyone post even an average figure.Although they had extra work regard code red,they also had a lot less work.

I don't understand what you mean by 10 since the itinerary was 19 days. Paul was out for at least 6 days. He disappeared day two at Easter Island and the assistant director (John?) took over. DW keeps detailed notes so I'll check to get the exact count.

Oceania absolutely, positively knew there was something going on well before their announcement. At least three representatives from CDC boarded at Easter Island. They wore blue polo-type shirts with CDC logos. Representatives from French Polynesian quarantine organization also boarded at Easter Island. They wore green polo-type shirts with quarantine and French Polynesia logos. This was also when two representatives from French Polynesian immigration boarded to do paperwork and process our passports.

I don't understand what you mean by 10 since the itinerary was 19 days. Paul was out for at least 6 days. He disappeared day two at Easter Island and the assistant director (John?) took over. DW keeps detailed notes so I'll check to get the exact count.

 

Oceania absolutely, positively knew there was something going on well before their announcement. At least three representative from CDC boarded at Easter Island. They wore blue polo-type shirts with CDC logos. Representatives from French Polynesian quarantine organization also boarded at Easter Island. They wore green polo-type shirts with quarantine and French Polynesia logos. This was also when two representatives from French Polynesian immigration boarded to do paperwork and process our passports.

I was referring to the last 10 days when all the precautions started.

I don't understand this statement. How is it that they had a lot less work? If Oceania handles things during code red anything like I saw on HAL then the entire staff and crew put in a tremendous amount of work. In addition to the extra cleaning around the entire ship, there are extra shifts that need to be covered for sick people by these same people. There did not appear to be any level of employee not putting in long hours and extra effort. Was this not the case for the Oceania employees?

Employees in the Grand Dining Room did extra work due to fewer waiters and having to do each table setup when passengers were seated. The cabin attendants seemed to work non-stop. There was a heavy smell of bleach in the bathroom that was not there previously. Besides the extra attention to the cabins, an attendant wiped the hallway top to bottom then started over again. They looked exhausted. Crew cleaned countertops, tables and chairs continuously. A sticky anti-noro spray was applied and the crew left signs stating "Cleaning in progress. Return in five minutes".

Employees in the Grand Dining Room did extra work due to fewer waiters and having to do each table setup when passengers were seated. The cabin attendants seemed to work non-stop. There was a heavy smell of bleach in the bathroom that was not there previously. Besides the extra attention to the cabins, an attendant wiped the hallway top to bottom then started over again. They looked exhausted. Crew cleaned countertops, tables and chairs continuously. A sticky anti-noro spray was applied and the crew left signs stating "Cleaning in progress. Return in five minutes".

Thank you. That is how I remember our cruise.