Allure Captain's party--Concern re: Noro

[dirtgirl]

Why would a physician prescribe antibiotics for a "maybe/just-in-case" situation? Is that what you're saying?

 

 

 

How about on a possible one thousand other hands...

 

 

I have noticed this a lot with American cruisers - they go to the doctor to get 'just in case' antibiotics for a cruise. And yes, the drug resistant bacteria grow ever more... I was last on antibiotics in 2003 when my children donated their strep throat to me. It is not something I would take 'just in case', or get before a trip. Antibiotics are something I only get if I need it with a diagnosed bacterial infection. Antibiotics do nothing for viruses, which are colds and flu. If you take them for colds and flu - you are wasting your time, and increasing the resistant strains.

[papaflamingo]

You mention that RCI only does the Captain's Reception to "monetize" his rank. That is silly. People like to meet the Captain. I am an airline Captain for a major airlines. We greet the passengers as they deplane and thank them for flying with us. People like to see who has their lives in their hands. But we also do it for public relations. Is this "monetizing?" I guess. We do it to get passengers to want to return.

Now here's my "rant." There are lot's of posts about RCI (or any cruise line) only doing things "for the money." Photographs, specialty restaurants, drinks of the day, etc. Well, yes that is true. After all, I don't remember a Constitutional Amendment about the "free right to cruise." Cruise lines are businesses. They exist to make a profit. They profit by charging us enough to pay their bills, while providing an experience that we are willing to pay for. The idea that they are purposefully serving low quality food in the MDR to encourage us to spend money in Chops is ridiculous. One of the "standards" of cruising is the food. If the "free" food was so bad, we'd find a cruise line that serves better food. It would be the death of the cruise line.

So here's my point. Yes the cruise line offers "upcharge" items. That's good. If you want them you pay for them, if you don't, you don't. So why is everyone so offended all the time? I don't do the Captain's Receptions either, but mostly because it cuts into my D+ Happy Hour. I used to go, it was free drinks. Last one I attended was on a Trans Atlantic in 2012 on Vision. Our group wanted to go, so I went. We ended up getting invited to the Captains Table for dinner on the last formal night because of going to the Captain's Reception. And we got free wine and a free picture at the Captain's table. No "monetizing" there.

[nelblu]

You take antibiotics with you? Seriously? One of the main reasons we have antibiotic resistant bacteria now. Everyone self-treating with antibiotics. BTW, they won't do a darn thing to Noro either.

 

How do you go anywhere? The Casino is probably dirtier than the public restrooms onboard and you're worried about shaking hands.:rolleyes:

 

I shake hands with people at church every week and I haven't been sick in several years. And the last time I was sick I had a cold, before that it was food poisoning from a restaurant where I didn't shake anyone's hands.

 

Some of these threads are good for a laugh and some just make me shake my head.

 

 

The point that I brought up was the possibility of transmission between Paxs and the Captain.

 

And yes we do, but not for the Noro. For Noro, we bring Immodium and Pepto. Antibiotics are just in case and we don't feel like going to the infirmary just in case. Plus, do you believe everything that is written about antibiotics. To me, it is a way for the insurance companies/fed. gov't to reduce costs. Look at the battle going on with mammograms and Psa tests--Why? Cost factor(s)

 

With regards to the casino it is just like any area of the ship or anywhere else that germs are present. Do you think a bar, theatre, etc are any germ free than the casino. Whether we go to the casino on the ship or A.C. we use alcohol wipes to clean slots button areas.

 

If you don't believe in precautions, that is your problem.

 

Also, I personally believe that shaking hands at mass should be eliminated just like they gotten rid of drinking wine from the cup at communion. Shaking hand is a recent phenomenon and don't recall being part of the mass when I was a youngster.

[Havingfun2010]

I must be in the minority. I wash my hands to start the day, and after each bathroom break. I must touch dozens of door handles per day, touch tables, slot machines, money and everything else in my day to day life. When I was a child, I drank out of water hoses, shared sodas, and picked food up after dropping it. I always shake hands when offered. I eat chicken wings, fried chicken and ribs with my hands. I have taken prescription medications only after minor surgery. Use OTC medicine only as needed. I'm still alive.

[grod19]

It wasn't until many years later but now that I am older I am very glad my Grandfather forced me to learn how to give a firm handshake and look someone in the eye while doing it. I am proud to be teaching my younger (ages 6-13) cousins to do the same thing. Unless an individual gave me a good reason not to I'd gladly shake anyone's hand. This includes strangers, friends, family, and even sporting opponents fresh off the "field of battle" covered in sweat and dirt. Guess it was just how I was raised

[mollyeilis]

So this thread has shown that some Captains shake, some bump fists and elbows, some don't touch at all. In each case, a concerned passenger should do as they feel is right, and if there's contact *go wash their hands*. The captain can go wash his/her hands/knuckles/elbows if he/she chooses later. We are all responsible *for ourselves*. If you're worried about yourself, wash your hands.

 

 

 

 

RANT

 

And yes we do, but not for the Noro. For Noro, we bring Immodium and Pepto. Antibiotics are just in case and we don't feel like going to the infirmary just in case. Plus, do you believe everything that is written about antibiotics. To me, it is a way for the insurance companies/fed. gov't to reduce costs. Look at the battle going on with mammograms and Psa tests--Why? Cost factor(s)

 

(why try to stop the body's process of getting rid of the virus? support your body with lots of fluids but don't stop the process, yikes.) (and remember that Pepto's ingredient, bismuth subsalicylate, has some really nasty side effects, including the very things you're trying to stop by taking it)

 

Killing me here. Mammograms are being shown to be very ineffective at diagnosing anything seriously awful (though very good at diagnosing things that aren't going to kill you at all except that the treatment might), and shown to be very dangerous for the future. x-rays on that delicate tissue once a year? And most of the people I know have a questionable finding EVERY single year, so it's TWO xrays. They are CAUSING cancer in the future.

 

 

Anti-bio-tic. Against Life. Bacteria are alive, that is what antibiotics fight. Viruses aren't alive in any way we define life. Antibiotics do NOTHING nothing nothing against viruses. It's even in the name.

 

And it hurts my brain how many people just do not know this and refuse to listen to it. We caught the horrid bug going around Orlando in January. We were just barely able to answer the health questionnaire truthfully to get on Freedom on 1/26. (where everyone else on board had The Cough we had just gotten rid of and tons of people were medicating themselves to go out in public and spread it more) This illness had VERY obvious and unique symptoms.

 

Got home to WA to find it making its way out here. A woman at my WW meeting absolutely refuses to listen to me, to hear that her doctor is hurting her, by giving her stronger and stronger antibiotics to help this VIRUS. She's up to shots of antibiotics now. For a virus. That everyone else has and has been diagnosed as a virus by countless doctors already. He's killing her, because he also has her on 3 steroids. Which, of course, lower the immune system so you can't fight anything. He's destroying her healthy bacteria, lowering her immune system, stopping her cough (eliminating the way the body rids itself of lung stuff) and doing nothing to the virus.

 

Antibiotics "just in case" are harmful. It shocks me when people do that. It sickens me when doctors go along with it.

[lucymorgan]

Antibiotics "just in case" are harmful. It shocks me when people do that. It sickens me when doctors go along with it.

 

Antibiotics "just in case" doesn't necessarily mean that the pax takes them. It means that they have them in their baggage in case they are needed. My husband has a recurring skin infection that happens about once every two years and if treated quickly with the correct antibiotic does not develop. My elderly mother is supplied by antibiotics by her doctor in case as well but has not needed to take them.

 

edit: perhaps you are a medical professional who knows better than their doctors?

Or perhaps you haven't thought about all of the circumstances that others might have before judging.

Edited February 20, 2014 by jenibor

[BND]

Antibiotics "just in case" doesn't necessarily mean that the pax takes them. It means that they have them in their baggage in case they are needed. My husband has a recurring skin infection that happens about once every two years and if treated quickly with the correct antibiotic does not develop. My elderly mother is supplied by antibiotics by her doctor in case as well but has not needed to take them.

 

edit: perhaps you are a medical professional who knows better than their doctors?

Or perhaps you haven't thought about all of the circumstances that others might have before judging.

 

Totally different situation than having them to take if you "think" they will work against a virus which is what the OP basically stated. Your husband has a known issue that an antibiotic works on. I used to take them before dentist appts because I have a slight murmur that is caused by mitral valve prolapse. They have since discovered that taking antibiotics before a dental appt isn't necessary.

[Thetrail]

We have not attended the evening Captain's party in a few years and do not know if it is a new policy or occurs on other ships. We were having problems with the internet and went to guest services to correct the problem. What I saw concerned me, especially with the outbreak of Noro on the Explorer, there was a line some 200 deep waiting to shake hands with the Captain along with photos taken with him. Am I the only one with such a concern? I know that RCL finds different ways to monetize any situation, but is this the best way.

 

Ps. Just curious, wonder if another offer asks the Captain and Pax to use Purell after every handshake. LOL

Not that paranoid and not the least bit concerned....K.O.

[chadbeck]

So I'm confused. I haven't traveled as much as some and more than others but never once was I told to shake someones hand. Didn't matter if it was the Captain, Bar Manager, Cabin Steward, or another traveler. So it seems the simple solution is don't worry about everyone else and make the simple choice not to shake hands. Its crazy they won't even kick you off at the next port for not doing it.