Marina now

To Cruiser Jane

 

 

 

Regarding your Norovirus infection

 

 

 

Was a US port involved? If so, your comments should have been reported to the CDC.

 

 

 

If not your comments should have, and may have been, reported to Oceania corporate along with the name of the ship's doctor. Report even now, as that doctor may still be on an Oceana ship.

 

 

 

Did you have Trip insurance? Did it cover this problem?

 

 

 

My wife got sick (on an Oceania Caribbean cruise) and I was quarantined (never got sick). She was convinced that it was food poisoning. With a Miami stop, the CDC investigated ( was supposedly on board) and confirmed many cases of norovirus. I later went to their website and read their report.

 

 

 

Does any reader know if ginger ale or the stronger ginger candy helps with the stomach issues once you get the norovirus? We use it for rough seas motion issues.

 

 

 

One other tip, after washing you hands in the public bathrooms, use the little papers which are dispensed by the door so you do not have to directly touch the door handle AFTER washing your hands. From what is have directly observed, most men on board do not do this.

 

 

 

Lets cross our fingers as we are on a May 2018 Oceania cruise together.

On my Transatlantic cruise last November/December, I noticed and used the little papers from the dispensers by the door to cover the door handle when exiting the public bathroom aboard. I did not remember seeing them when I cruised in 2015.

You are correct that very few men use any type of protection when opening bathroom doors after washing or not washing hands.

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On my Transatlantic cruise last November/December, I noticed and used the little papers from the dispensers by the door to cover the door handle when exiting the public bathroom aboard. I did not remember seeing them when I cruised in 2015.

 

You are correct that very few men use any type of protection when opening bathroom doors after washing or not washing hands.

 

 

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Always avoid public restrooms! Especially on a ship where flu or Norovirus are present.

 

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Luckily, as far as I know, my cruise did not include any Norovirus, and yes, I try to avoid public restrooms, but sometimes you just have to avail yourself of the facilities.

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I always use paper towels to open restroom doors, even on land when I’m not cruising. I’ve taught my 4 year old granddaughter to do the same.

Also turn off the water faucets with the back of your hands. If you touch them with your full hand you could be recontaminating yourself as they are touched before people wash their hands!

Yes ORV the experience has worn us down.

Their handling and lack of information is inexcusable.

Just got talking to a matre de from one of the specialist restaurants.He handed in his notice just before we embarked.He was booking a flight home even though he has not finished his notice.He was not allowed to leave today but has.He left because he is appalled at the hygiene.He said the last 10 days that we have suffered,they have just put on a show.It has not been appropriately done.I can say I believe him

Today,we were the last ones to leave Terrace.The manager came out and told the staff to put all clean cutlery and crockery in the cupboards as the restaurant was being sanitised.We watched the same staff who took away all the dirty cutlery and crockery, not wash their hands but pick up the clean stuff,presumably to be used for the next cruise.Heaven help the next cruise...

Jane,

We were on Marina a few years ago during a similar onslaught, but it was not nearly as bad as you have reported. Yes, the crew was constantly washing down everything in sight. Some people were in quarantine. But I don't recall condiments being removed from the tables, and they definitely did not have us sit down to a bare table.

Even so, it was not as pleasurable as the usual cruise. And your report does sound very depressing. Not at all the way you want to spend your time on an expensive cruise.

Mura

Jane,

 

We were on Marina a few years ago during a similar onslaught, but it was not nearly as bad as you have reported. Yes, the crew was constantly washing down everything in sight. Some people were in quarantine. But I don't recall condiments being removed from the tables, and they definitely did not have us sit down to a bare table.

 

Even so, it was not as pleasurable as the usual cruise. And your report does sound very depressing. Not at all the way you want to spend your time on an expensive cruise.

 

Mura

Nice to read your posts again. Mura. We are considering adding O again to our sailing choices. We think Riviera is a gorgeous ship, although we enjoyed every cruise on O. Our last one was 2015's Insignia's trans Panama Canal LA/Miami. Since then, we have become fans of Regent's Explorer, but it's itineraries are not always for us. So far, O has the best itineraries for us after our next Regent experience. In the meantime, I will enjoy your posts, Lyn's and Jim and Stan/Stan and JIm's. Anticipation is fun and doesn't cost anything. Somehow, looking forward to a lovely experience never gets stale!

Mary

Hi Mary, it would be lovely to travel with you again. I have seen YOUR posts here and there!

We were on Marina November 7-21 and had a lovely cruise. We'll be on Riviera (for our first time) May 10-24 -- which will mean we've been on all the ships. Most often Regatta, then Marina. As to the reported problems on Regatta, we haven't been on her since August 2012 (the Black Sea) but she has a special place in our hearts since she was our first Renaissance cruise as well as our first Oceania cruise.

It strikes me that we never had Noro problems back in the early days ... but in the past few years these reports are more and more common. My question is WHY? Some people blame passengers ... and I do believe that is part of the problem, but we can't give total blame to passengers.

Unfortunately for us this may be the end of our cruising. Howard has serious vision problems and has decided it's no fun when he can't see what he's looking at, nor can I blame him! So I'll continue if I decide to travel alone (I've never been good at that!) or if I can find a friend who is willing to sail with me! We shall see.

Mura

To Cruiser Jane

 

Regarding your Norovirus infection

 

Was a US port involved? If so, your comments should have been reported to the CDC.

 

If not your comments should have, and may have been, reported to Oceania corporate along with the name of the ship's doctor. Report even now, as that doctor may still be on an Oceana ship.

 

Did you have Trip insurance? Did it cover this problem?

 

My wife got sick (on an Oceania Caribbean cruise) and I was quarantined (never got sick). She was convinced that it was food poisoning. With a Miami stop, the CDC investigated ( was supposedly on board) and confirmed many cases of norovirus. I later went to their website and read their report.

 

Does any reader know if ginger ale or the stronger ginger candy helps with the stomach issues once you get the norovirus? We use it for rough seas motion issues.

 

One other tip, after washing you hands in the public bathrooms, use the little papers which are dispensed by the door so you do not have to directly touch the door handle AFTER washing your hands. From what is have directly observed, most men on board do not do this.

 

Lets cross our fingers as we are on a May 2018 Oceania cruise together.

UDSpud, you are absolutely right. I did report to the GM that what the doc said was an outright lie. Also that the doc said initially that I had "dehydration". I hope they addressed the issue with that ship doc. And there were no US ports involved.

By the time we got home, and we had another O cruise booked, we just wanted to put the whole issue behind us. So no I didn't call headquarters about it. And the GM did make right monetarily.

I do use those papers to open the door. But on that dreaded cruise they had the bathroom doors tied open.

I will continue to monitor this board to see if this sickness continues on the Marina. Let's hope for those who have just boarded that all will be good. And for us sailing in May. See you then!

We did have trip insurance and it paid for the doc, a missed private excursion, and the 2 days we missed as trip interruption. But before I left the ship, I asked the C to type a letter stating the time we were both quarantined. That ended up being necessary for trip interruption.

For those of you who just boarded Marina, please let us know if the sickness is gone. Do you have menus back? Is the Library open? Salt and pepper shakers and set up in Terrace back? Have you heard of any quarantined people?

Many thanks,

Janelle

For those of you who just boarded Marina, please let us know if the sickness is gone. Do you have menus back? Is the Library open? Salt and pepper shakers and set up in Terrace back? Have you heard of any quarantined people?

 

Many thanks,

Janelle

Everything is back to normal. The cleaning they did in port was very effective.

Now if we could just get some sunshine.

Eemrald

Great news on everything back to normal. Since you are on the cruise we're going on in a few weeks may I ask you some questions.

Weather.... We are looking at weather.. Is it constantly raining or just Thundershowers are certain times of the day.

Is that wind related to the rain and how rough are the seas.

Also we've heard about the spotty Internet on board. Are you able to get online...and visit your favorite websites?

Enjoy your cruise.

Well, that's a relief to hear! We board on the 13th....

Eemrald

Great news on everything back to normal. Since you are on the cruise we're going on in a few weeks may I ask you some questions.

Weather.... We are looking at weather.. Is it constantly raining or just Thundershowers are certain times of the day.

Is that wind related to the rain and how rough are the seas.

Also we've heard about the spotty Internet on board. Are you able to get online...and visit your favorite websites?

Enjoy your cruise.

We were on Marina in January 2015 in FP and yes, it rained almost everyday. This is the rainy season. However, the rain was a very fine mist and we never had a "thunder storm". The rain never disrupted any activities. Hell, we were already in the water. Most people just sat in their pool loungers and waited out the rain. It is the rain that makes FP so green.

I don't remember the winds or rough seas.

James

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I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade ...

But we were on the Lima-NYC cruise on Marina in 2015 when we ran into "G-I problems" a few days into the cruise. I've posted earlier that we didn't have the extreme problems that others reported on Marina's last cruise BUT we did have difficulties.

When we left the ship it underwent an extreme cleaning. I think we also had a cleaning when we arrived at Miami but I might be wrong.

The next cruise from NYC to Montreal didn't have problems, BUT when Marina left from Montreal to either Southampton or Dover (I wasn't there so I wasn't sure of the end port), apparently the problems recurred. That's what I recall from posts here. I may be wrong!

But I also recall that some people (Lyn?) on that Montreal-UK sailing encountered people who were ill when they boarded ...

I do indeed hope that all remains well on Marina! I'm just saying that maybe you shouldn't assume that because today is okay, next week or beyond will be as well.

We're boarding Riviera in May and certainly hope there are no problems there at that time! It's never fun to be sailing when these problems abound.

Mura

Just read MSN.com headline "Norovirus sidelines Olympic Security Staff".

I didn't know the Marina had been to South Korea recently. Suggest the Security staff read this thread.

Everything is back to normal. The cleaning they did in port was very effective.

 

Now if we could just get some sunshine.

THis is different news from what was posted on thread I started re this.The cruiser said still probs for next 48 hrs.,that was 2 days ago. So not sure about this at all. He said same restrictions,such as locked Lib.cabs,and lack of salt shakers,etc. ,,,just example.

Seems like ship info is still lacking for everyone onboard. Hope it gets sorted out SOON.

Sadly, Oceania seems to have a corporate culture of secrecy and communicates with passengers poorly when issues such as norovirus precautions or bad weather/missed ports situations arise. Sort of like American Airlines posting an on time departure to occur in 5 minutes when there isn't even a plane at the gate. This way of operating certainly is a losing strategy overall, but especially with the experienced cruisers/sophisticated consumer types that is Oceania's prime market. It is unfortunate.

Agreed. There were many actions taken before they made an announcement that there was a "digestive issue" and it had been reported to the CDC.

The first thing we noticed was that the salt and pepper shakers were removed from Waves Grill. The next day all items were removed from the tables except the table number sign.

Grand Dining Room - Salt and pepper shakers removed the day after actions taken in Waves Grill. Sugar, butter and other items disappeared by the following morning. Before we finished breakfast we noticed wait staff removing all glasses from empty tables. Tables and chairs were sprayed and wiped down. By the next day the only item left was the table cloth. Salt, pepper and sugar was provided by request only. They were in paper packets. Pads of butter were individually wrapped. All this and still no announcement.

Thank goodness we recognized what was going on early.

Agreed. There were many actions taken before they made an announcement that there was a "digestive issue" and it had been reported to the CDC.

 

The first thing we noticed was that the salt and pepper shakers were removed from Waves Grill. The next day all items were removed from the tables except the table number sign.

 

Grand Dining Room - Salt and pepper shakers removed the day after actions taken in Waves Grill. Sugar, butter and other items disappeared by the following morning. Before we finished breakfast we noticed wait staff removing all glasses from empty tables. Tables and chairs were sprayed and wiped down. By the next day the only item left was the table cloth. Salt, pepper and sugar was provided by request only. They were in paper packets. Pads of butter were individually wrapped. All this and still no announcement.

 

Thank goodness we recognized what was going on early.

Agreed....In fact as I recall after the announcement it was days before the placemats were removed on Terrace.Each day a different thing disappeared from our cabin too.No explanation or warning,It felt like every time we returned to our suite,someone had been in and removed something,in the final 5 days.I felt we were stripped of our holiday.I am very unhappy about the way it was handled and intend to write to someone about it.Just not sure who yet.

We foresaw the problem before there were any signs and my husband wrote on his mid cruise comment form (which they gave out early) that he was horrified at people’s disregard for hygiene.

As I mentioned before about the Matre De,he did also say that the problem started in Miami.This of course may only have been one or two.

I had to go to the medical centre ( another story that I was horrified at) before the announcement and could see many crew lined up behind an open door in the doctors office,

Of course we understand the measures that need to be taken for any virus (and we had a lot of chest infections with people on intravenous antibiotics too) it was the drip drip drip of precautions that was a joke.

There had to be some kind of virus on board from Miami. Two days out and DW developed a nasty cough that got worse. By day six she went to the medical center. They did every test imaginable including Mono. Mono? Really? Results were "inconclusive but not noro". We knew it wasn't noro because we had it on a previous cruise. Anyway, she was administered three medications via IV along with several other prescription medications. She was fine after a week. (Total bill for services is around $12K. Yep, $12K. Primary and secondary insurance will cover most of the cost.)

We observed that several other passengers had gauze bandages covering the IV, so DW wasn't the only person with an "issue".

Also, two ounce bottles of Germstar spray were to delivered to each cabin by about day twelve. Interesting action if nothing was wrong.

There had to be some kind of virus on board from Miami. Two days out and DW developed a nasty cough that got worse. By day six she went to the medical center. They did every test imaginable including Mono. Mono? Really? Results were "inconclusive but not noro". We knew it wasn't noro because we had it on a previous cruise. Anyway, she was administered three medications via IV along with several other prescription medications. She was fine after a week. (Total bill for services is around $12K. Yep, $12K. Primary and secondary insurance will cover most of the cost.)

 

We observed that several other passengers had gauze bandages covering the IV, so DW wasn't the only person with an "issue".

 

Also, two ounce bottles of Germstar spray were to delivered to each cabin by about day twelve. Interesting action if nothing was wrong.

Was that every cabin or just yours because we never saw it!

Sailing in a week on Marina.As a critical care nurse I feel I can't be too anal.Amazon sells medical grade wipes that are useful against viruses.They're expensive but worth it in the long run if it keeps me from getting sick

JudiK..

Do you bring other meds in case you catch the bug while traveling?

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Was that every cabin or just yours because we never saw it!

Germstar spray was delivered to every cabin except yours! :D

But seriously, I don't know if they were delivered to every cabin but we walked by several service carts that had cases of the stuff. We assumed they were being delivered to every cabin.