QE II norovirus?

[Salacia]

If it gets to a very serious level where the CDC board the ship and get involved, then the usual practice is that passengers for the next voyage will be informed. At that point, if you do not wish to go on the cruise, Cunard will give a full refund if your travel agent gets in touch with them and asks for a refund. I have found them very fair on this. However, the outbreak would need to be very serious before this happens.

 

Hi Louise D. Thanks for your response. I became curious last August when waiting to board a Holland America Cruise for several uncomfortable hours after assigned boarding time, standing in the Manhattan Terminal. The reason given for the delay was "due to technical problems". After two hours of standing and waiting, I asked a HAL rep if there was a problem with Noro virus on the previous cruise.

 

"NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT, if there was Noro on board, we would be required to tell you!" the HAL rep holding a clipboard responded. (Long story, but boarding for all passengers was delayed for several hours due to problems found by CDC Health Inspectors. Passengers boarding were not informed that the ship had just received a failed inspection report. Apparently, that was not something that the cruise line was required to tell boarding passengers.)

 

And so, I wondered what, if any rules applied had there been a Noro outbreak. BTW, there was no way to contact my travel agent at that time, nor could I get internet access to post on this forum to seek advice. Also I'm not clear on what is meant by "a very serious outbreak".

 

Thanks again, regards -s.

[Underwatr]

Last night the Captain emphasized the importance of remaining in your cabin if you are suffering from the gastro-intestinal upset (they're calling it "suspected norovirus" but only because they don't have proof, I think). He said that from now on people not staying in their cabin would be reported to him, and he would then have to consider the consequences.

 

The plank?

[Louise D]

And so, I wondered what, if any rules applied had there been a Noro outbreak. BTW, there was no way to contact my travel agent at that time, nor could I get internet access to post on this forum to seek advice. Also I'm not clear on what is meant by "a very serious outbreak".

 

Thanks again, regards -s.

 

Salacia, I am recalling a situation where the CDC had boarded QE2 at an earlier port, was trying to work with Cunard on ways to lessen the numbers of people affected and there were rumours that the next voyage might need to be cancelled to enable extreme sanitising measures to be undertaken.

 

Louise

[Norfolk Brit]

Last night the Captain emphasized the importance of remaining in your cabin if you are suffering from the gastro-intestinal upset (they're calling it "suspected norovirus" but only because they don't have proof, I think). He said that from now on people not staying in their cabin would be reported to him, and he would then have to consider the consequences.

 

The plank?

 

Are you calling the captain a plank?:eek::D

 

Sir Martin

[Jason12]

It is passengers who bring Noro onboard and they should not be hassling the staff who contain things very well. I do wonder how many actually have the virus and how many simply have sea-sickness or tummy upsets? Oh well, hopefully it will be contained by next week! :(

 

I take you've never had the Noro? There is a big difference, I had it on our November cruise and my god I have never been so ill, I was confined to my cabin for 24 hours they sent a cleaner to supposedly deep clean my cabin but if wiping a few things and changing the bedding is a deep clean then I can understand why it keeps spreading.

I was given a special room service menu with low fat bland foods and chicken but the food was awful I could not eat anything, luckily it was the last full day onboard, I was escorted off the ship making sure I went straight off. Not the best experience.

 

Cunard QM2 need to clean more..IMO

[AstroExeter]

I take you've never had the Noro? There is a big difference, I had it on our November cruise and my god I have never been so ill, I was confined to my cabin for 24 hours they sent a cleaner to supposedly deep clean my cabin but if wiping a few things and changing the bedding is a deep clean then I can understand why it keeps spreading.

I was given a special room service menu with low fat bland foods and chicken but the food was awful I could not eat anything, luckily it was the last full day onboard, I was escorted off the ship making sure I went straight off. Not the best experience.

 

Cunard QM2 need to clean more..IMO

 

What has that got to do with incorrect reports? The fact is that people mistake other symptoms with Noro ( which is a non-specific virus) and post on forums that they had it when they didn't. On the crossing on the 22nd Dec I had people telling me they had Norovirus when clearly they did not. I'm sure your experience was real and it must have been awful. What I was referring to was the conflictling and incorrect reports of numbers in the current outbreak. Figures have varied from over 500 to the "official" number of 75! All I am saying is that some folk are prone to exaggeration. Anyway, I will see for myself on my return journey on the 3rd.

 

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[Jason12]

What has that got to do with incorrect reports?

 

How's posted incorrect reports?

[Southampton Cruiser]

When I went on Independence of the Seas in October, we were informed beforehand that check-in would be delayed due to cleaning after an outbreak of norovirus during the previous cruise. Crew stood by gangways or eating places handing everyone a wipe the entire cruise. We had a couple of cases on ours but it was quashed fast. Last year on QM2 we had hundreds, with cases still being reported when we returned to Southampton 8 days after the first. We were told nothing except we had it aboard. People continued ignoring Captain Oprey's advice about cleanliness. Unfortunately, as well as those not washing hands, there were no cleaners before then except at night. Suddenly we were overwhelmed by them. Last month, tables were not wiped in Kings Court or the Golden Lion when clearing away, resulting in them being disgusting. The passengers and cruise lines have an equal responsibility towards hygiene.

[moniquet]

The ships can always hide behind the excuse that "someone brought it onboard". If I were struck down with it I would want a blood test to prove it was actually Noro and not some other food poisoning bug! Wonder what is the incubation period is for Noro:confused:. The Daily Mail said passengers started to fall ill the first night. Seems unlikely that they all boarded with it and fell ill at the same time. Sounds more of a case of something they ate!

[Suite Cruise]

The CDC shows an incubation period of 1-2 days for Norovirus.

 

Gene

[bluemarble]

The CDC report is now posted for the current outbreak on the QM2.

 

Investigation Update on the Queen Mary 2

 

As of now, the reported number of cases are

Passengers: 194 of 2,613 (7.42%)

Crew: 11 of 1,255 (0.88%)

 

Regards,

John.

[AstroExeter]

How's posted incorrect reports?

 

I was referring to the unsubstantuated figures being quoted here and elswhere.

 

However we have just received this email from Cunard:

 

 

Dear Guest,

 

We wish to draw your attention to a change to the embarkation schedule for your forthcoming voyage from Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on Queen Mary 2. During the current voyage, Queen Mary 2 has experienced an increase of gastrointestinal illness on board. The ship will therefore undergo an additional and extensive sanitisation once all guests have disembarked. Embarkation will be delayed in order to allow a thorough disinfection of the ship.

 

We kindly ask that you arrive at the Cruise Terminal four hours later than your previously published check-in time. We appreciate that this may not be possible for all guests and limited seating is available in the terminal. A bag drop facility will be made available at the cruise terminal to allow you to take advantage of a complimentary shuttle which will operate a return service into Manhattan. Thank you for your attention to this notification.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my GT-P5110 using Tapatalk 2

[AstroExeter]

The CDC report is now posted for the current outbreak on the QM2.

 

Investigation Update on the Queen Mary 2

 

As of now, the reported number of cases are

Passengers: 194 of 2,613 (7.42%)

Crew: 11 of 1,255 (0.88%)

 

Regards,

John.

 

So a great deal less than the 500 previously quoted. Cunard seem to be taking all the appropriate actions and I hope that those who are ill recover quickly. From our point of view, we will take advantage of the free shuttle and spend more time in New York!

 

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[Suite Cruise]

I suspect if they would interview the passengers that first came down with the virus they might find a common cause. ie, stayed at the same hotel pre cruise is my best guess.

 

That would give time for the incubation by the first night of the cruise.

 

Example's, I will never ever eat ham or anything with an egg based dressing on flights. My SIL never learns and gets sick each time. I told her not this next cruise. The ham is green and she goes ahead and eats it? I don't think so.

 

Baked beans is my second thing. In Atlanta heading towards a cruise. A large pre cruise group of us, from the hotel, went to a famous BBQ place. All that ate the baked beans got sick including my wife. Same here in Phoenix, when a large party went to a restaurant for dinner. I was the only one that didn't eat baked beans. The next day the same group was going to a lake for the weekend. Everyone had it hit them at the same time. Not Moi. My guess is the pork is bad. They all tried to blame it on the rattle snake with ranch dip we had. That did not work, as I was the only one to pass on the baked beans.

 

I will only eat my wife's baked beans now.

 

Just thinking, if they did several detailed surveys on different ships they might track down where it starts.

 

I suggest the first 20 get sick can narrow down the where, when, and how. One needs to look at what all the first 20 say what they did prior to getting sick when questioned. They might do surveys but, why then are they not finding a common cause?

 

I have a hard time, seeing people use restrooms and walk out without washing their hands pre cruise and or on the cruise. They put us all at risk.

 

People can spend a small fortune for a cruise and have it ruined by people who don't care about their restroom habits or grabbing things from the buffet with their hands that have not been washed.

 

Example, the four of us are going into Miami the night before our TA 3/31 cruise. Perfect time, just after winter, for this to happen. Low vitamin D for most, due to no sun, bad rest room habits pre cruise and on the cruise and you can start to see the picture.

 

Not all of this is the ship fault by a long shot.

 

Gene

[Salacia]

So a great deal less than the 500 previously quoted. Cunard seem to be taking all the appropriate actions and I hope that those who are ill recover quickly. From our point of view, we will take advantage of the free shuttle and spend more time in New York!

 

Sent from my GT-P5110 using Tapatalk 2

 

mallorscaint, thanks for posting that info regarding delayed boarding, and kudos to Cunard for making the announcement in advance and for putting on a free shuttle to Manhattan.

 

Since not all passengers with gastro-intestional symptoms report it to the Medical Centre, it seems likely that the total number of cases would be greater than the reported number of cases, so I understand how estimates given previously by passengers on board vary. Anyway, best wishes to all concerned...sorry for your troubles. Regards, -S.

[grandsix]

Anyone know what percentage and or number of passengers/crew coming down with the Noro it takes for the QM2 to go into a CODE RED ?

[Salacia]

Hi grandsix. Sorry, I don't know anything about CODE RED...what happens during CODE RED? Thanks, S.

[grandsix]

Hi grandsix. Sorry, I don't know anything about CODE RED...what happens during CODE RED? Thanks, S.

 

Ship is taken out of service until CDC approves for it to sail again. Has happened on other lines when there is a severe outbreak of the NORO

[Salacia]

Thanks for your reply Grandsix. I guess I've been very lucky - 13 or 14 cruises in the past 5 years (10 or 11 on QM2) and none had a Noro outbreak. That's one experience I'm happy to have avoided:eek: Regards, S.

[slhw]

Hi

I wonder does anyone have any information of the situation regarding noro on Queen Victoria? Also I wonder if Cunard monitor passengers who transfer from a ship which has been infected to a ship which isn't. For example, I know there are people transferring from the 3rd January crossing from New York to southampton (either QM2 or QE) to Queen VIctoria for the voyage back to New York.

Sandie

[grandsix]

Thanks for your reply Grandsix. I guess I've been very lucky - 13 or 14 cruises in the past 5 years (10 or 11 on QM2) and none had a Noro outbreak. That's one experience I'm happy to have avoided:eek: Regards, S.

 

Speaking from the experience of a ton of sea days, keep sailing, it is just a matter of time. Not a pleasant experience to be in and around a heavy NORO breakout much less coming down with it. There is a good chance you have already cruised on a ship with minor breakouts without knowing it.

[grandsix]

Hi

I wonder does anyone have any information of the situation regarding noro on Queen Victoria? Also I wonder if Cunard monitor passengers who transfer from a ship which has been infected to a ship which isn't. For example, I know there are people transferring from the 3rd January crossing from New York to southampton (either QM2 or QE) to Queen VIctoria for the voyage back to New York.

Sandie

 

Good question. There is a possibility that those moving to the Victoria could be denied boarding. It is their option. Not sure management would want potential carriers.

[Dajo5601]

Outbreak after outbreak of this virus are reported and the blame tends to be put at the door of the ships crew or the ships owners. I am sick of saying on many forums that in my opinion the major contributor to the virus on board cruise ships are the passengers....

 

Hand sanitisers are not used, in fact deliberately avoided, by some passengers and I have witnessed, time after time that basic hygiene such as washing of hands in the toilets is not carried out by passengers. Mt wife has confirmed that she witnesses similar lapses in the ladies toilets.

 

I have no axe to grind with either cruise lines or cruise passengers, but I am appalled at the lack of common sense or the downright nasty habits of some passengers whom I presume will be some of the first to be chasing compensation for the "ruined" holiday which they themselves have contributed towards.

[Louise D]

Ship is taken out of service until CDC approves for it to sail again. Has happened on other lines when there is a severe outbreak of the NORO

 

That's only when the ship travels over at least two voyages with the number of confirmed norovirus patients at high levels and not significantly decreasing. The QM2 is nowhere near that stage yet. It will be interesting to see what happens with the norovirus levels during the next voyage.

 

You can be sure that Cunard will be very vigilant for the start of the world cruises. The norovirus outbreak on the 2010 Christmas cruise did not carry over into the subsequent QM2 world cruise commencing in early 2011.

[grandsix]

Outbreak after outbreak of this virus are reported and the blame tends to be put at the door of the ships crew or the ships owners. I am sick of saying on many forums that in my opinion the major contributor to the virus on board cruise ships are the passengers....

 

Hand sanitisers are not used, in fact deliberately avoided, by some passengers and I have witnessed, time after time that basic hygiene such as washing of hands in the toilets is not carried out by passengers. Mt wife has confirmed that she witnesses similar lapses in the ladies toilets.

 

I have no axe to grind with either cruise lines or cruise passengers, but I am appalled at the lack of common sense or the downright nasty habits of some passengers whom I presume will be some of the first to be chasing compensation for the "ruined" holiday which they themselves have contributed towards.

 

Agreed. Too many passengers (male and female) sadly do dot wash their hands after going to the bathroom. This is also a reason most if not all of the ships officers on any line will go back to their cabin to attend to their bathroom needs.