Allergies on ships

[3JM]

Has anyone ever encountered a problem with mold allergies on any of Carnival's ships? I guess I need to know if some of the older ships have a mold problem, especially since I have read in the past about water back-up problems in some cabins. Carpets getting wet in cabins would create a mold issue. Has anyone ever reported it? Need to know before booking cruise on any of Carnival's ships or any other line. Thanks for your help.

3JM

[9876]

No I have not and I am allergic to a lot!!!!!!!!! The beauty of when you are at ocean is all of the pollens, trees and grasses are not there to react to. I have not noticed a mold smell or had a reaction although I can see how that would be possible but they seem to have that pretty much in check. Always carry your benadryl with you just in case though.

[smack22]

In my little experience of cruising, my best friend's allergies flared up on the ship and had to visit the ship dr. which cost an arm and a leg (not really...but we were recent college grads).

 

I'm packing my Zyrtec, nasal sprays, sudafed, and what not just to be safe (and so I don't have to pay a lot of money for something I can get at Walgreens or Wal-Mart for less than a few bucks)

[RuthlessBoss]

Has anyone ever encountered a problem with mold allergies on any of Carnival's ships? I guess I need to know if some of the older ships have a mold problem, especially since I have read in the past about water back-up problems in some cabins. Carpets getting wet in cabins would create a mold issue. Has anyone ever reported it? Need to know before booking cruise on any of Carnival's ships or any other line. Thanks for your help.

3JM

Not likely. The air, even in inside cabins are very dry with the ventillation. Mold needs moisture, darkness and stagnant air:)

[flatpik6]

I too have a severe allergy to mold and mildew of any type and in nearly any quantity. So mucu so that my allergies dictate which hotels I stay in while travelling. Having cruised on numerous Carnival ships I can say that I have never encountered any noticeable mold in the rooms. As you know, most of the mold issues that affect allergies come through the AC system and this has never been an issue for me. That's not to say that the next ship you or I embark won't have a problem, only that it's never been an issue for me. I do carry appropriate medication with me though just in case of a chance encounter.

[Celandine]

I have many many allergies ( mold included) and asthma

 

and I've never really had an reactions on any ship I was on.

 

I would bring allergy meds though, I seem to take mine daily as I can't function with my eyes and nose running... and then things get worse...

[LHP]

If you are extremely sensitive, I would avoid older ships.

 

There have been some pictures posted recently of some showers that had dark markings in the grout.

 

From a picture I could not tell if it was mold or just grime.

[gobucks_43228]

My son has severe allergies and he has never had an issue. Just to echo everyone else, we do load up on allergy meds and take his inhaler just in case.

[bethm214]

Has anyone ever encountered a problem with mold allergies on any of Carnival's ships? I guess I need to know if some of the older ships have a mold problem, especially since I have read in the past about water back-up problems in some cabins. Carpets getting wet in cabins would create a mold issue. Has anyone ever reported it? Need to know before booking cruise on any of Carnival's ships or any other line. Thanks for your help.

3JM

 

Old thread, but I want to post my recent experience...it was pretty awful. I was talked into Cabin E57 on The Ecstasy by my PVP. She said it was a handicap cabin and therefore, a bit more spacious and she recommends it to everyone. Well, it was NOT a good piece of advice. As soon as I entered, I could smell the mold. My husband could also smell it. I spoke to the folks at guest services and two people accompanied me to the cabin to see what they could smell. One woman obviously smelled it too, but one did not. They sent someone else to take a whiff. This man could not smell anything and was rude and dismissive. Telling me that he knows the cabin never had a flood. They offered to bleach the bathroom. This was done while we out to dinner. Overall, the room did smell better, but it still had an obvious to me mold smell. By the next morning, my glands were swollen, my ears were hurting and my throat and eyes were itching. When my husband showered, he discovered how the mold issue happens with no obvious flood. There is no elevated threshold separating the shower area from the rest of the bathroom. Therefore, the water covers the entire bathroom floor, the trashcan was floating on 1/4 inch of water when he finished his short shower. He then took 15 minutes trying to direct the water to the drain, using every towel in the bathroom.

The next morning, another man woke me up asking to come and check the cabin. He came in and asked if the bleach had helped. I said it helped the smell in the bathroom, but not the carpet area. I told him I may need to visit the infirmary if my symptoms continued and he said to do that if I needed to, he would make them aware not to charge me for the visit.

I went about my day's activities and didn't return to my cabin until about 5 PM. The smell hit me hard when I entered. I started sneezing and the ear really started hurting. I decided I did need to go to the infirmary for some allergy medicine. I went and the person that greeted me didn't know anything about me possibly coming to be seen. She called the Guest Services desk and they said that I was NOT covered to be seen there. The greeter told them to please double check as I was quite positive I was told that it would be covered. After about 10 minutes, she apologized, but said it would not be covered. I went up to Guest Services and spoke to someone there about the situation. They managed to figure out who I spoke to by my description and they called him to the desk. I explained how I had continued to get worse and forsaw a very uncomfortable night ahead if I didn't get some help. He escorted me to the medical room where I was checked out. My BP was high and my temp was above normal. After being assessed, I was given zyrtec for morning use and benedryl for night use.

When I got to my cabin, I found that while I was 'tied up' 2 other crew members came to the cabin to speak to my husband. They asked him what symptoms I was having and whether he thought I was reallly having problems. He was the one that had to wake me up multiple times due to my distressed breathing, so he was easily able to tell them about my obvious symptoms.

I was finally offered a different cabin. I quickly accepted and said I would move as soon as possible.

It is now 5 days later and I am still dealing with some of the issues caused by the mold contact.

My husband was easily able to figure out what was happening and how the water and thus mold was getting outside of the bathroom and under the carpet. When the shower is run, the water covers the entire bathroom floor. The caulking between the tile and door frame is not intact and a gap of about 1/8 inch allows a large amount of water to flow through the floor.

When I look at the floor of other handicap bathrooms, they have been equipped with a wide grate at the door which allows the water to drain appropriately.

I will NEVER EVER allow myself to be booked in to a handicap cabin again. If mold is an issue for anyone in your party, avoid the handicap cabins!!!!

Beth

[WVGAL]

I typically don't have allergies. I'm from Florida and have been around molds and pollen all my life. However, while on the Imagination, I had a terrible attack. Mostly while I was in the MDR. I'd have to go outside on deck to get releaf. It almost ruined my cruise. Never did figure out what the problem was. I've been on other cruises with no problems. Now I carry meds with me just in case.