Solstice Jan. 23 Norovirus Numbers

[twentyknots]

We're on the Feb 6 sailing. I wanted to cancel, but my wife really wants to go. I checked other cruises leaving Ft Lauderdale Feb 5 or 6 but all were wait-listed. We have non-refundable air and hotel reservations so there would be some financial loss even if celebrity refunded our money, which is doubtful. We have a very good price for the cruise because we were on the Mercury last March when it had a norovirus outbreak and our cruise was delayed 2 days while the ship was cleaned from top to bottom. As far as I know no one got sick after that extensive cleaning. Since our cruise was shortened from 10 to 8 days the 2 lost days were refunded, plus a coupon for 25% of the paid fare was issued for another cruise within 1 year. We used that coupon for the Feb 6 cruise.

 

This will be my last cruise with celebrity. Even if this extra cleaning contains the virus, I'm sure the hand sanitizers will be everywhere and self service for drinks, salads, etc will be stopped, just as it was on the Mercury. I don't want a crew member sticking a hand wipe in my face every time I walk into the Lido or dining room. It got to be a real pain after a while to wait in line for meals and get to a table and then remember that I forgot to get salt and pepper and have to get back up and feel as though I was breaking in line to ask for condiments. I know it's whiny, but I want to board at noon, have a nice lunch, tour the ship, unpack, relax with a nice long walk before dinner. And what are we going to do from noon to 3?

[stratixman]

This will be my last cruise with celebrity. Even if this extra cleaning contains the virus, I'm sure the hand sanitizers will be everywhere and self service for drinks, salads, etc will be stopped, just as it was on the Mercury. I don't want a crew member sticking a hand wipe in my face every time I walk into the Lido or dining room. It got to be a real pain after a while to wait in line for meals and get to a table and then remember that I forgot to get salt and pepper and have to get back up and feel as though I was breaking in line to ask for condiments. I know it's whiny, but I want to board at noon, have a nice lunch, tour the ship, unpack, relax with a nice long walk before dinner. And what are we going to do from noon to 3?

 

Don't you mean this will be your last cruise? Its unfortunate that you have had two Celebrity sailings where Noro Virus has popped up. I think you want the same thing that everyone going on the cruise wants. But reality bites. Do you really think Noro Virus only shows up on Celebrity? And excactly how do you think another line would respond to an outbreak of the virus any differently than Celebrity?

[JFontaine]

We're on the Feb 6 sailing. We have non-refundable air and hotel reservations so there would be some financial loss even if celebrity refunded our money, which is doubtful.

 

And what are we going to do from noon to 3?

 

Since I am guessing you have a hotel reservation before your cruise - just stay at the hotel. See if you can get a late checkout - and if you can't, have the bellman store your luggage. Hopefully the hotel has a pool. Have lunch at the hotel, and don't leave for the port until after 3 to try to avoid the rush. Even if it is crowded when you arrive, at least you won't have sat there all day hungry and miserable.

 

Your luck with noro and cruising is bound to change. Hope you have a great trip.

[Roverout]

Do you think noro will be on the casino chips.

[Roverout]

Has anyone seen an update on our ship (Solstice Feb 6). Googled norovirus!!. We are in trouble, no cure. Go to wallgreens and get gloves & masks. Prevention only.

[Roverout]

Solstice Feb 6 - Don't shake hands, don't touch rails, buttons, food, knobs, glassware. Don't breathe on someone. Don't use public facilities. Don't put hands around face. Don’t eat salads. Do wash down your own room. Do wash life jackets. Do wash hands continuously. Do go to the infirmly (that’s the only way to get credit for cruising with a sick recording). Do eat cooked foods. Do peel apples. Do Watch the Packers beat the Pitt.

[Gonzo70]

 

This will be my last cruise with celebrity. Even if this extra cleaning contains the virus, I'm sure the hand sanitizers will be everywhere and self service for drinks, salads, etc will be stopped, just as it was on the Mercury. I don't want a crew member sticking a hand wipe in my face every time I walk into the Lido or dining room. It got to be a real pain after a while to wait in line for meals and get to a table and then remember that I forgot to get salt and pepper and have to get back up and feel as though I was breaking in line to ask for condiments. I know it's whiny, but I want to board at noon, have a nice lunch, tour the ship, unpack, relax with a nice long walk before dinner. And what are we going to do from noon to 3?

 

This has nothing to do with Celebrity; they do not have a higher incidence of norovirus than other cruise lines. The precautions they take when there is an outbreak are the standard precautions in the industry. You have same risk of noro on other cruise lines as well as same procedures on other cruise lines when there is an outbreak. Avoiding Celebrity because of noro would be like avoiding a cruise line because you experienced high seas; some things are out of a cruise line's control and just have to be chalked up to bad luck.

 

Hopefully the next round of deep cleaning does the trick and the next sailing is relatively healthy.

[MEcruzr]

"I would like to report some sub-standard medical care practices I observed on the Solstice on 1/30..."

 

How can the practices you observed be "sub-standard" if there are no standards? You can't use your own standards as a nurse in the US. The medical facility is there as a convenience to passengers... much like the Spa. They are independent of the cruise line and subject to their own standards.

[mommy2jays]

"I would like to report some sub-standard medical care practices I observed on the Solstice on 1/30..."

 

How can the practices you observed be "sub-standard" if there are no standards? You can't use your own standards as a nurse in the US. The medical facility is there as a convenience to passengers... much like the Spa. They are independent of the cruise line and subject to their own standards.

 

I think the point here is that there should be standards. If cruiselines are serious about caring for their customers, why would they put a 'medical' facility on the ship and NOT do it properly? Cruiselines should get their acts together with regards to this norovirus problem. How else can they contain it if they don't do any investigation as to where it's coming from?

 

One more thing - I hope that they have done a deep-clean of the cruise terminal waiting areas as well!

[MEcruzr]

"...some things are out of a cruise line's control and just have to be chalked up to bad luck."

 

Bad luck... and sick passengers. Who do you think brings this onboard?? Passengers do! Yet the cruise lines take all the responsibility. LOL

 

Bottom line... if you're sick or just getting over being sick, stay home. I know, some people don't know yet that they are about to come down with it... but some do know and board anyway.

 

I did see one young man denied boarding in FLL. He made the mistake of throwing up in a trashcan in the terminal. He said (and those with him said) that he was hungover... but they still wouldn't let him onboard. The cruise lines TRY to keep noro off their ships, but passengers have to do their part.

[BAPON]

Has anyone seen an update on our ship (Solstice Feb 6). Googled norovirus!!. We are in trouble, no cure. Go to wallgreens and get gloves & masks. Prevention only.

Here is a post from someone onboard:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showp...2&postcount=21

[Mr. Luckytoo]

I think the point here is that there should be standards. If cruiselines are serious about caring for their customers, why would they put a 'medical' facility on the ship and NOT do it properly?

 

There ARE standards. The medical personel are acredited and approved by the EU. Just because someone states, 'there are no standards' doesn't mean it's true. How do I know?

 

I looked into working in the medical centers for cruise ships in the past and found their process accrediation of American trained doctors sufficient but the wages leave a lot to be desired, compared to US.

 

In addition 'standards' in the US include a patient chart, documents, records, etc., and have NOTHING to do with good medical care - rather most of the US "standards" are related to legal issues and CYA.

[Mr. Luckytoo]

Solstice Feb 6 - Don't shake hands, don't touch rails, buttons, food, knobs, glassware. Don't breathe on someone. Don't use public facilities. Don't put hands around face. Don’t eat salads. Do wash down your own room. Do wash life jackets. Do wash hands continuously. Do go to the infirmly (that’s the only way to get credit for cruising with a sick recording).

 

Sorry but the highlighted parts are just plain incorrect information. You don't get norovirus, or any virus for that matter, by using public facilities. What you mentioned are means of TRANSMITTING THE VIRUS. However unless you have open wounds on your hands the virus CAN NOT penetrate intact epithelium (skin).

 

The problem is that when you have virus on your hands and then touch your eye, nose, mouth, etc., the virus enters into the mucous membranes and then does it's dirty work.

 

You can shake all the hands you want (I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND THIS) if you WASH for 30 seconds with soap, or use the anti-bacterial wipes, prior to touch vulnerable areas.

 

Do eat cooked foods. Do Watch the Packers beat the Pitt.

 

Now on THIS we can agree! ;)

[We're The Groupnors]

We were on the Summit last February right after a cruise when Norovirus broke out. Yes, it was a bit of a pain to have to board later, and not be able to get our own drinks in the buffet and have bread baskets on our table at dinner, but those things did not diminish our trip. By day 4 there had been no reported GI cases, so everything went back to normal, largely due to the bang-up job the crew was doing cleaning the ship, and the cooperation of the passengers to use hand sanitizer, etc.

 

As for the medical facilities on board a friend and her husband just got back in January from a 12 night Celebrity cruise where her husband fell ill twice (not from anything he caught on board). Their choices were to remain in the Caribbean in a hospital, or stay on board with the chance that he would have to be airlifted if his situation got worse. They decided to stay on board and said they had wonderful, attentive care. Don't forget that the medical facilities on board a cruise ship are not just for the guests, but also for any crew members who may need medical care, sometimes even including emergency surgery, for which they are prepared!

[Freecall]

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Sorry but the highlighted parts are just plain incorrect information. You don't get norovirus, or any virus for that matter, by using public facilities. What you mentioned are means of TRANSMITTING THE VIRUS. However unless you have open wounds on your hands the virus CAN NOT penetrate intact epithelium (skin).

 

The problem is that when you have virus on your hands and then touch your eye, nose, mouth, etc., the virus enters into the mucous membranes and then does it's dirty work.

 

You are not wrong but your advice is fairly meaningless. In practice it is almost impossible to not touch your face with your hands, as a rule on your hands = in your body. That is without considering foods you eat with your hands.

[mommy2jays]

There ARE standards. The medical personel are acredited and approved by the EU. Just because someone states, 'there are no standards' doesn't mean it's true. How do I know?

 

I looked into working in the medical centers for cruise ships in the past and found their process accrediation of American trained doctors sufficient but the wages leave a lot to be desired, compared to US.

 

In addition 'standards' in the US include a patient chart, documents, records, etc., and have NOTHING to do with good medical care - rather most of the US "standards" are related to legal issues and CYA.

 

I stand corrected,and you are right - I fell for the belief that what I read was correct. I just want everyone involved on the ship to try and stop the spread so that when I take my 3 kids, including my 22 month old, I don't need to worry about 100+ passengers falling ill and increasing her chances of catching it. She will be in the stroller A LOT!

[Mr. Luckytoo]

I stand corrected,and you are right - I fell for the belief that what I read was correct. I just want everyone involved on the ship to try and stop the spread so that when I take my 3 kids, including my 22 month old, I don't need to worry about 100+ passengers falling ill and increasing her chances of catching it. She will be in the stroller A LOT!

 

Good Luck! It's tough to not have the little ones sticking their fingers in their mouths. You might want to see about taking some Pedisure when you go - just in case the little one gets sick. In addition pack some liquid Immodium because I doubt the ship will have the liquid for the kids (they MAY but I doubt). If you want to be REALLY prepared ask your pediatrician for some phenergan suppositories to have available AS A PRECAUTION. That way if your little one shows signs of noro (diarrhea or vomitting) you can adminsiter the meds ASAP.

 

Since I'm going on the Solstice on Feb 27 I'm hoping that the cleaning program is successful as well.

[mommy2jays]

Good Luck! It's tough to not have the little ones sticking their fingers in their mouths. You might want to see about taking some Pedisure when you go - just in case the little one gets sick. In addition pack some liquid Immodium because I doubt the ship will have the liquid for the kids (they MAY but I doubt). If you want to be REALLY prepared ask your pediatrician for some phenergan suppositories to have available AS A PRECAUTION. That way if your little one shows signs of noro (diarrhea or vomitting) you can adminsiter the meds ASAP.

 

Since I'm going on the Solstice on Feb 27 I'm hoping that the cleaning program is successful as well.

 

We are on the sailing on the 13th, so next week will be very telling. I was planning on getting Pedialtye, but kids Immodium is a great idea as well - thanks!

[twentyknots]

Don't you mean this will be your last cruise? Its unfortunate that you have had two Celebrity sailings where Noro Virus has popped up. I think you want the same thing that everyone going on the cruise wants. But reality bites. Do you really think Noro Virus only shows up on Celebrity? And excactly how do you think another line would respond to an outbreak of the virus any differently than Celebrity?

 

This will be my 10th cruise. I never thought about norovirus until the Mercury. Now the Solstice. If I go on another Celebrity ship after this and get norovirus, I deserve it. I don't blame Celebrity; I don't have any evidence that they acted inappropriately. Nevertheless, to quote Celebrity: "out of an abundance of caution", I will avoid their ships in the future.

[Kutty1101]

We are on the sailing on the 13th, so next week will be very telling. I was planning on getting Pedialtye, but kids Immodium is a great idea as well - thanks!

 

Our 4 & 6 yr old were ill on the Jan 23rd. I am an RN, and had some supplies but we still went down to the Medical Unit to report for CDC. They did not carry children's immodium. They DID carry and provide a pediatric dosed Antimedic suppository that unfortnately did not stop the projectile vomiting. We got Pedialyte with our first ill child, but then they ran out for the 2nd. Luckily I went into the Puerto Rico CVS and got more.

 

I would bring a box of medical rubber gloves. (Thankfully, I had them with) In the event that anyone in your cabin does get ill, you can care for them and help clean them up and prevent illness yourself. I was the only one of all 4 in our cabin who did not get ill and I wore the gloves when touching anything in our cabin and when cleaning up puke and diahhrea.

 

Be careful if they try and give anything unrecognizable. They tried to give my 4 yr old an adult dose of Amoxicillin but I am thankful I knew better and declined it.

 

I would be leary of the kid's club. They tried to do their best with cleaning in this area but I feel it's a harder dept to control the spread. The Doctor on board also wanred us of the hot tubs.

[London25]

Here is a post from someone onboard:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showp...2&postcount=21

 

We'll someone stopped this link awfully fast!

[wedgwood]

Good Luck! It's tough to not have the little ones sticking their fingers in their mouths. You might want to see about taking some Pedisure when you go - just in case the little one gets sick. In addition pack some liquid Immodium because I doubt the ship will have the liquid for the kids (they MAY but I doubt). If you want to be REALLY prepared ask your pediatrician for some phenergan suppositories to have available AS A PRECAUTION. That way if your little one shows signs of noro (diarrhea or vomitting) you can adminsiter the meds ASAP.

 

Since I'm going on the Solstice on Feb 27 I'm hoping that the cleaning program is successful as well.

 

I'm sailing this Sunday (2/6) Solstice with my 2 year old (she will turn 3 on Wednesday) and I'm taking Pedialyte Powder Packs just in case. These are tiny and handy. You just need to mix with 8oz water and that instantly becomes a bottle of pedialyte. Since she has more stuff than mine in the luggage and we are also flying to FLL, I'm trying to pack as light as possible.

[BAPON]

Sorry the link didn't work.

Here's a replacement and another from onboard:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=27799092&postcount=21

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=27802368&postcount=28

[jbrxblujay]

My husband and I were also on the Solstice Jan 23 - 30 with a group of 22. Out of those 22 travelers 9 of us got sick with the intestinal virus. A few including my husband didn't get sick until a day or two after we had disembarked. We could only surmise from talking within our group and also fellow travelers on board that a good amount of people were getting this virus. I made an observation about the buffet dining that the serving spoons were being handled by the passengers and then dropped back into the food, handle and all, thereby contaminating the food. On day 4 I believe, the crew began serving everything in buffet dining and also in the dining room, wherever it was self-serve. Those who reported sick were quarantined in their staterooms and their luggage was separated upon disembarkation. We're still suffering the after effects of this cruise. I might have had a touch of this virus one morning during the cruise which thankfully disappeared quickly (I was lucky). However, not so lucky in that I did bring home a cold from the cruise starting with a sore throat a couple of days before disembarkation. This was our first cruise on Celebrity. Maybe these gargantuan ships aren't a good idea and we need to go back to smaller ships with less passengers.

[Granny&Pap]

12 of us sailed Solstic, 1/23-1/30...none being sick on the ship...BUT...starting Sunday evening; 1 was sickly (but not throwing up). Monday, through the night 3 were throwing up (one was on the auto train enroute to Virginia and home to PA). Wednesday afternoon another one 'bit the dust' and another one had sore throat and 'yukky' feeling. By today I think we are all becoming somewhat 'normal' again. We could see that the crew of the Solstice was doing the best they could to control what ever was going on on the ship. Can't blame Celebrity as we were on the Mariner of the Seas several years ago and had the unfortunate opportunity to see what it's like to NOT be able to touch anything and be SERVED everything....didn't get sick that time. What we can't figure out tho; library closed, casino open:rolleyes: