Equinox: Code Red!

[caladvoc8]

Many sick people but one thing that I found out if you did some DRINKING things were O.K. I had no problem, it was a great cruise. I happen to meet Robin she is very nice.

Geez, Golfer Joe, the cruise is over. Time to sober up! (Robin asked me to say so.) :)

[smdubowsky]

As you pointed out in your post, prevention is much more effective than therapy for norovirus. I would just like to point out to posters that if they are concerned, it is probably most convenient to take some type of ethyl alcohol based wipes to use on the surfaces in their stateroom. Make sure that the tv remote and the keyboard are treated along with the menu folder. While bleach is very effective, it is very problematic to bring in your luggage and can be noxious. If surfaces are wiped down they should ideally remain wet with the disinfectant for several minutes.

[cephasde]

Greeneg, Thank you very much for bringing clarity to a somewhat confusing issue. I hope everyone has a fun "bug-free" cruise.

[May B]

Arno, as usual, you have gotten us started on a really good discussion, and all b/c you and Joanne fell ill. Thank you for your gentle handling of the subject and for all of the information, and thank goodness you are both better now and enjoying your brief hiatus.

 

Thanks you also to all posters who took the time to write caring and often detailed comments. We cruisers are fortunate indeed to be part of this community -- of folks who, when they aren't cruising, love to be talking about it!

 

Did you all notice that a person is contagious, not only a little bit before symptoms show up, but also up to SEVEN DAYS following being sick with Noro? Yikes.

 

Cheers, all -- may we all enjoy many happy days at sea and few, if any, with any viruses or bacteria in our bodies.

 

--May

[C 2 C]

Thanks you also to all posters who took the time to write caring and often detailed comments. We cruisers are fortunate indeed to be part of this community -- of folks who, when they aren't cruising, love to be talking about it!

 

I also think it is wonderful when cruisers such as greeneg (and others) share their experience and expertise...

they can also say Experto Crede

[cruisindonna]

There is a nasty stomach virus going around, not just on cruise ships. Our Christmas family gathering of 19 people ended up with 15 coming down with the worst vomiting ever, while 4 adults never got it. No rhyme or reason to it. Can't see much value in wiping down railings and elevators with bleach with people constantly using and touching them. I was on the Noordam a few years ago and watched them sanitizing after a minor outbreak, then went to the casino and realized the slot machines and video poker machines were never cleaned and a perfect place for the virus to spread.

[Lolotte]

We are leaving on the Equinox on January 25th. Please let us know how the current cruise is doing !!!:cool:

[kimanjo]

There is a nasty stomach virus going around, not just on cruise ships. Our Christmas family gathering of 19 people ended up with 15 coming down with the worst vomiting ever, while 4 adults never got it. No rhyme or reason to it. Can't see much value in wiping down railings and elevators with bleach with people constantly using and touching them. I was on the Noordam a few years ago and watched them sanitizing after a minor outbreak, then went to the casino and realized the slot machines and video poker machines were never cleaned and a perfect place for the virus to spread.

 

 

Over Christmas DD and I got it BAD, but not DH or DS. We actually wondered if it was Noro Virus, it doesnt have to be on a ship to be Noro Virus. I have only ever been that sick twice in 47 years!

[tally10]

There is a nasty stomach virus going around, not just on cruise ships. Our Christmas family gathering of 19 people ended up with 15 coming down with the worst vomiting ever, while 4 adults never got it. No rhyme or reason to it. Can't see much value in wiping down railings and elevators with bleach with people constantly using and touching them. I was on the Noordam a few years ago and watched them sanitizing after a minor outbreak, then went to the casino and realized the slot machines and video poker machines were never cleaned and a perfect place for the virus to spread.

 

Boy do I agree with that. On our recent RCCL cruise, there were three of us. One of us spent a lot of her time in the casino. She was the only one to get sick. She had a few days of diarrhea while on the ship. The day she got home, she came down with a bad respiratory illness that plagued her for a week or more. When you think about how many people play the slots and whether they are constantly being cleaned (not), I think that was the culprit.

[greeneg]

Noroviral infections are certainly not limited to cruise ships, they are common in public schools, nursing homes, just about anywhere that a susceptible population can be found. This does not preclude individual cases, in fact, it is thought and there is evidence to support this, that as much as 30% of Noroviral infections are asymptomatic ( the person who is ill has no symptoms or signs of illness); these people although they seem totally well, are capable of passing the infection on to others.. This is why it is so important that each person be strongly proactive about their own hygiene particularly hand washing and avoiding hand to face/mouth contact: the person who used that handrail just before you may well not know that they have something and are passing it on to others.

 

Bottom line: wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, keep them away from your face as much as possible; that way you'll have done the best that you can to keep yourself well and enjoy your cruise.

 

Addendum: I haven't yet been able to document the use of Booze as a Norovirus Preventative; I am however, will to participate in the experiment......:) Hopefully there will be a call for volunteers.

 

Everyone have fun!!

[Karynanne]

Thanks for the information Ed. About 2 years ago, my Mother had norovirus. She had been playing bridge in a tournament, and quite a few people were ill also. So it's not just the cruise industry that has dealt with this virus.

[smdubowsky]

Greeneg- The Booze experiment should definitely work as long as you soak your hands in it and is at least 100 proof. ;-)

[caladvoc8]

There is a nasty stomach virus going around, not just on cruise ships.

All this mention of the prevalence of violent gastrointestinal distress and yet not a single mention of seasonal flu or H1N1 among these posts. And, there are effective vaccines for those. Makes me wonder if all those seeking, and seemingly willing to take, virtually anything to prevent Norovirus or Traveler's Diarrhea, are among those inexplicably eschewing the demonstrably effective flu vaccines.

 

If I was experiencing such violent illness as those are describing here, especially at home, neither Norovirus nor Traveller's Diarrhea would first come to mind, if at all. The more likely culprit to my mind would be food poisoning (did we all consume something in common that was possibly contaminated?) or flu. If the latter, and if the symptoms did not soon resolve or a high fever was associated with my condition, I'd be hightailing it to a doctor and trying to convince others similarly afflicted to do likewise - - especially those (elderly, teens, immuno-compromised, etc.) most vulnerable to the potentially fatal consequences of H1N1 .

 

Brings to mind the familiar physician's diagnostic maxim: "When you hear the sound of hooves, think horses, not zebras."

[greeneg]

Greeneg- The Booze experiment should definitely work as long as you soak your hands in it and is at least 100 proof. ;-)

 

I would assume in that case that it's OK to lick your fingers after treating them.......:)

[kimanjo]

All this mention of the prevalence of violent gastrointestinal distress and yet not a single mention of seasonal flu or H1N1 among these posts. And, there are effective vaccines for those. Makes me wonder if all those seeking, and seemingly willing to take, virtually anything to prevent Norovirus or Traveler's Diarrhea, are among those inexplicably eschewing the demonstrably effective flu vaccines.

 

If I was experiencing such violent illness as those are describing here, especially at home, neither Norovirus nor Traveller's Diarrhea would first come to mind, if at all. The more likely culprit to my mind would be food poisoning (did we all consume something in common that was possibly contaminated?) or flu. If the latter, and if the symptoms did not soon resolve or a high fever was associated with my condition, I'd be hightailing it to a doctor and trying to convince others similarly afflicted to do likewise - - especially those (elderly, teens, immuno-compromised, etc.) most vulnerable to the potentially fatal consequences of H1N1 .

 

Brings to mind the familiar physician's diagnostic maxim: "When you hear the sound of hooves, think horses, not zebras."

 

 

We (dd & I) went over our meals... Nothing eaten by DD & I that we ALL didnt eat. Ruled out food poisining. Ruled out flu. No fever, no body aches, NO flu symptoms. Just good ole' (you know what & what). Whether it was Noro Virus, or stomache "bug", that's what it was. With all the bugs out there, I actually feel fortunate, that I've only been that sick twice. I try to practice all that I can to reduce my chances, but all of that is not 100%.

[vacation fool]

We had a half hour walk from our hotel to the beach and indulged in a pizza at the Oasis Cafe on the waterfront. Just as I was sipping my beer, I was able to toast Equinox as it was sailing by at about 6:20 pm.

 

Anne: We wish you smooth sailing and no surprises.

 

Xellent,

We are looking for a place to eat to watch the Equinox sail off in a few weeks. Do u recommend the Oasis Cafe and where exactly is it located? Thanks

[Holly g]

The word is not official but many people have/are suffering from GI.

Passengers can't get their own drinks and the coffee lines are long.

I was sitting near the dance floor three days ago and guy walked by hurling on the carpet and chair in front of me and continued on walking to the elevator.

The chlorine smears are everywhere and clothing is being damaged.

Both my wife and I have suffered and every second passenger we talk to but no one bothers to contact people in self imposed exile. The official total will be much lower than the obvious but unofficial "body count".

 

Sorry to hear about the nasty problems on your cruise. Were you actually on the Equinox or the Solstice as your "location" says Solstice?

[caladvoc8]

Were you actually on the Equinox or the Solstice as your "location" says Solstice?

Xellent can speak for himself (quite capably), but because he may be involved in embarkation and getting settled for awhile, let me tell you that he and his DW are on 3-ship, 4-cruise adventure he has described as their "Celebrity Marathon," the first leg of which ended on the 15th on the Equinox, and the second leg of which commences today on the Solstice. The "Code Red" situation was on the Equinox. For their sake and their fellow cruisers, here's hoping they've left their problems "behind" them (sorry, couldn't help myself) and that they do not endure a reprise on the Solstice or Constellation.

[fojnh]

Any input from current Equinox passengers on how things are now on the subsequent cruise? Are they still following the strict changes like the last cruise or is the thorough cleaning expected to resolve the problem and everything is back to normal? I am hopeful this will reinvigorate the hand sanitizer enforcement. That is important.

[PROCRUISE]

There is an oral vaccine called Dukoral that, while it doesn't guarantee bulletproof protection, goes a heck of a long way towards preventing GI issues.

 

We had noro once and vowed to never go through it again, and that's why we take this 2-step vaccine well in advance of travelling. We'd much rather prevent it than treat it...but we also pack Immodium AD etc just in case.

 

To the OP, I hope you can salvage what's left of your cruise. Thanks for the heads up.

 

Happy Cruising,

Alan

 

Thanks for the insight. We're headed to Egypt for 2 weeks in September-this might be helpful!

[jackdiamond]

Any input from current Equinox passengers on how things are now on the subsequent cruise? Are they still following the strict changes like the last cruise or is the thorough cleaning expected to resolve the problem and everything is back to normal? I am hopeful this will reinvigorate the hand sanitizer enforcement. That is important.

I believe that it is in-efficacious vis-a-vis viruses.

[Moeve]

We have just gotten off the Equinox and in the end only about 100 passengers were REALLY sick with Noro while others like me only spent a little over a day in quarentine because we didn't develop the illness as expected. Noro puts you down for at least 3 days.

 

By the way the Queen Victoria was also affected in this week - it seems ships who had been to Grand Cayman in a certain time frame picked something up......... in our case too it was 2 to 3 days after GC when things got started

[2morecruises]

Many sick people but one thing that I found out if you did some DRINKING things were O.K. I had no problem, it was a great cruise.

I happen to meet Robin she is very nice.

 

Blueyes

 

 

As Blueyes' drinking buddy I want to thank The Equinox Martini Bar's great staff for inoculating us from the Noro. That daily 5:30PM injection was just the trick. Great job Togi, Peter, Putu & Hector !!!! :)

 

Come to think of it maybe that tin roofed bar at the pier in Roatan had something to do with our immunity, or was it the beer at the Naval Base in Panama or maybe that outstanding brew at the Costa Rican rainforest resort or could it be the libations in Grand Cayman at Big Black Dick's ???

 

Now that I really think about it... after handling those dice & chips that everyone else was touching, squeezing & blowing on for all those hours at the crap table just how did I avoid this lousy virus ??

 

Mike (aka Ziggy)

[ellbon]

togi is not on the sahip until st martin's. sorry blue eyes. so fari am fine. 2 freinds were on bed rest.

 

weather was so/so. also turn around day was hell. we were driven around FLl for hours. first people on ship was at 2 something. no drill until saturday. sailed at 6 or so. what a mess.

 

great meeting arno and friends.

 

arno we will cruise together soon and i will be elite.\

 

alos 2 people wer4 given passes to drink from 4 to 6 by a fellow CC person. hate people who break rules.

 

still on ship and we have bread, butter and pepper back. yea!! everything is still supr clean mode. thank god!

 

hi to my boys

[greeneg]

For general information, Dukoral is an oral Cholera Vaccine which may have some effect also on Traveller's Diarrhea. It would have no effect on Norovirus.