Would noro virus outbreak be a reason for reimbursed cancellation?

[manmtnmike]

I'm scheduled to be on the Grandeur in a month, and have been hearing various reports, on different sailing dates, of Noro being a problem.

 

Just wondering if RCCL, or cruise Ins, would cover this kind of thing for cancellation after final payment...

 

Thanks,

Mike

[Trainman-2]

If you had it and RCI refused to allow you to board, then you would probably be covered.

 

If you wanted to cancel because the cruise before you had a Noro Outbreak than probably not!

 

 

Keep in mind that the passengers bring on the Noro. The ships are cleaned well, normally better than our own homes.

[Mark_K]

A 'cancel for any reason' policy would pay out whatever their benefit is for doing that.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[manmtnmike]

A 'cancel for any reason' policy would pay out whatever their benefit is for doing that.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

I have Royal's ins bought at time of booking

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/allaboutcruising/vacationProtectionPlan.do?cS=NAVBAR&pnav=1&snav=10

 

Mike

[Paulxyz2004]

I have Royal's ins bought at time of booking

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/allaboutcruising/vacationProtectionPlan.do?cS=NAVBAR&pnav=1&snav=10

 

Mike

 

Your answer is here

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/RCICruiseCare.pdf

 

 

I´m just confused why would you want to cancel the cruise?:confused:

[beachnative]

I'm scheduled to be on the Grandeur in a month, and have been hearing various reports, on different sailing dates, of Noro being a problem.

 

Just wondering if RCCL, or cruise Ins, would cover this kind of thing for cancellation after final payment...

 

Thanks,

Mike

 

The answer is probably no, insurance would not cover cancellation because of concern over possibly contracting Norovirus.

 

I can fully understand your concerns…we often have those thoughts creep into our minds during Norovirus season. However, because we cruise almost every month throughout the year we have finally begun to develop an ability to put the Norovirus into perspective. We have also been through several sailings with severe Norovirus outbreaks as well as many with moderate and low Norvirus outbreaks, all without contracting it.

 

I know it probably sounds simplistic to say that if you wash your hands often (always wash immediately before eating), avoid touching your face, take simple precautionary measures when in the Windjammer (use a paper towel or napkin to pick up tongs), and get off the elevator if you see someone who looks ill…you should be just fine.

 

I apologize if this sounds like a lecture, but I'm trying to offer our cruise life experience to allay your concerns over the Norovirus and especially the Grandeur. I know first hand how intensely the crew is constantly sanitizing that ship…unfortunately, the passengers are bringing it on board when they arrive for their cruise. Once Norovirus is no longer occurring in the schools, hotels, and restaurants it will no longer be brought on by passengers.

 

I hope this helps.

[manmtnmike]

Thanks Gil and Gail...

It's just hearing a stream of these reports...:eek:

 

From wBal tv BALTIMORE —April 11, 2014

http://www.wbaltv.com/news/norovirus-suspected-aboard-grandeur-of-the-seas/25436750

 

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a suspected norovirus outbreak aboard the Baltimore-based Grandeur of the Seas.

Related

 

The CDC reports 105 of the 2,928 passengers and crew have fallen ill during the Royal Caribbean ship's latest voyage. The ship is set to return to the Port of Baltimore on Saturday morning, where it will undergo extensive cleaning.

The company has notified all passengers of the next cruise that they will not be allowed to board the ship until 4 p.m.; however, the cruise is expected to proceed as scheduled."

ALSO....CDC: Passengers on Grandeur of the Seas that sailed from Md. sickened on consecutive trips

By Kasey Jones, The Associated Press April 11, 2014

 

BALTIMORE - Passengers sailing on the Grandeur of the Seas from the Port of Baltimore have been sickened on two consecutive trips, federal health officials say.

 

The most recent outbreak occurred on the Royal Caribbean International vessel, which left Baltimore on April 5 for a seven-day cruise to the Bahamas, Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez said in an email Friday.

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on its website that about 100 passengers and crew members fell ill with vomiting and diarrhea. Martinez said a norovirus was believed to be the cause.

 

"Those affected by the short-lived illness have responded well to over-the-counter medication being administered onboard the ship," Martinez said. She said the latest ship carried 2,120 passengers and 800 crew members.

 

The CDC said more than 100 passengers and crew members got sick on the Grandeur's last cruise from Baltimore from March 28 to April 5. The agency said the cause was a norovirus.

 

Two environmental health officers and an epidemiologist will board the Grandeur when it docks in Baltimore on Saturday to conduct an investigation, the CDC said.

 

Martinez said Royal Caribbean will extensively sanitize the ship and the cruise terminal. The Grandeur is scheduled to leave again for the Bahamas on Saturday.

 

If passengers don't want to take Saturday's cruise, Royal Caribbean staff will help them reschedule, Martinez said.

 

The Grandeur of the Seas was out of commission for several weeks last year after a fire broke out on board while the ship was sailing to the Bahamas. No one was injured.

 

 

Read more: http://www.wbaltv.com/news/norovirus-suspected-aboard-grandeur-of-the-seas/25436750#ixzz2yfn0PbsT

Edited April 12, 2014 by manmtnmike

[hansolosmom]

We're scheduled to board today & I admit I considered the line which says

'If you're uncomfortable about boarding, then RC will help you reschedule'

 

I think if the voyages prior to yours had an outbreak they might offer a similar out.

 

As a side note to the hand washing, that's fine, but what stinks is the people who don't care. For example, I wash hands before dinner, but the person who sat in the same chair earlier didn't. Do they wash the chairs between meals? The menus? I can do what I can on my part, but can't control others actions.

[BND]

I'm going to put some more perspective on this. Any one day at your workplace there are more people sick (percentage wise) with stomach bugs than you are likely to have on a cruise. The numbers on this last GR trip were small. It's also much more common in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, etc than on ships, but ships are required to report cases which really magnifies it.

 

We had a group who shared an office (4 people) in our office get a 24 hour stomach bug (I think noro due to their symptoms) a couple of months ago. No one else in our office caught it (about 25 people) or others in our hallway, as those sick had the good sense to stay home, just as those on board with it should stay in their cabins.

 

DH and I have been on 15 cruises and never caught noro. We wash our hands regularly. I also have always used my knuckles to push elevator buttons and only hold railings if the ship is moving too much.

Edited April 12, 2014 by BND

[CruisinCadie]

Last fall, our Celebrity Summit cruise took place following severe Noro outbreaks on the previous two cruises. Boarding was delayed until 5 pm due to a CDC mandated thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the entire ship. If the problem on the Grandeur persists, the CDC will probably step in and order a cleaning.

 

Kathy

[Barb Nahoumi]

I'm going to put some more perspective on this. Any one day at your workplace there are more people sick (percentage wise) with stomach bugs than you are likely to have on a cruise. The numbers on this last GR trip were small. It's also much more common in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, etc than on ships, but ships are required to report cases which really magnifies it.

 

We had a group who shared an office (4 people) in our office get a 24 hour stomach bug (I think noro due to their symptoms) a couple of months ago. No one else in our office caught it (about 25 people) or others in our hallway, as those sick had the good sense to stay home, just as those on board with it should stay in their cabins.

 

DH and I have been on 15 cruises and never caught noro. We wash our hands regularly. I also have always used my knuckles to push elevator buttons and only hold railings if the ship is moving too much.

 

I agree with you. The only times that I came down with a noro type illness, happened at work. My kids caught it at school from fellow students.

 

I have been on many cruises, and never (knock on wood) developed noro on a ship. Colds, yes, but not noro.

[jebl]

On the Allure in Dec '12, I saw the crew wipe down the chairs, condiment bottles, tables, etc after each party left their table.

 

Last Dec on the Legend there was a big outbreak of Noro. We were delayed boarding till 2PM. The first two days no pax were allowed to even pick up their own sugar packet. Everything was served or handed to you by a crew member. Plus there was constant cleaning going on.

 

We had no problems nor did I hear of anyone getting sick. Comon sense goes a long way, as others have posted. Hand washing, being careful, and good hygiene should help you have a great cruise.

 

It is not in the cruise lines interest to sail with a sick or dirty ship. Remember, the headline 'All cruise passangers had a wonderful cruise' does not sell papers.

 

The news media loves to tell horror stories about any cruise ship, deserved or not. Too bad they don't monitor some resorts, especially in some of the poorer countries. How many people go to Mexico, for example, and get sick? I am not picking on Mexico just using it as an example.

 

So take what you read and hear with a grain of salt. Just like the terrible reviews we read on CC and then the next poster had a marvelous time on the same sailing!!

[beachnative]

We're scheduled to board today & I admit I considered the line which says

'If you're uncomfortable about boarding, then RC will help you reschedule'

 

I think if the voyages prior to yours had an outbreak they might offer a similar out.

 

As a side note to the hand washing, that's fine, but what stinks is the people who don't care. For example, I wash hands before dinner, but the person who sat in the same chair earlier didn't. Do they wash the chairs between meals? The menus? I can do what I can on my part, but can't control others actions.

 

Actually, yes they do. We were on a B2B on the Grandeur when the Norovirus started and noticed an increase in sanitizing. As an example, the Concierge and Diamond lounges were actually sanitized three times in Key West…the upholstered chairs were also sprayed.

 

When Norovirus hits they really do kick into high gear and put out an exhausting effort to sanitize over and over and over again. They require EVERYONE to help…dancers, entertainers, officers, front desk, etc. There were crew members from every level and every department taking turns serving in the Windjammer and other venues. There was even someone positioned next to the food in the Concierge Lounge and Diamond Lounge to serve you food. All to prevent the fool who doesn't wash hands from picking up tongs as well as food by hand and thus spreading germs. In the dining room were even told by our waiters that the chair arms would feel a little tacky because of the constant sanitizing…there was nothing on the table except our plates, glasses, and flatware. Salt and pepper were being served in small paper packages and ketchup squirted onto your fries for you.

 

You are absolutely correct about not being able to control the lack of action by other guests…however, the crew is mandated by the ship to work and exhausting schedule…even restricting their leave in ports. We had invited several of our favorite crew to lunch in Key West but none could make it because of the extensive sanitizing.

 

On turnaround day, all consecutive cruisers were required to leave the ship for 5 hours while the ship as well as the terminal were "deep cleaned".

 

I can not praise the crew of the Grandeur enough for their efforts.

Unfortunately, as you said, some passengers just don't care and therefore endanger all of the rest of us. (It was tempted to put some expletives in front of "passengers".)

Edited April 12, 2014 by beachnative

[tinkerbell24081175]

Just off the Granduer this morning. While we were never able to serve ourselves in the Windjammer, sometimes we were allowed to serve ourselves in the Diamond and Suite lounges, other times were not. There did not seem to be consistency among all the staff in all locations. They closed all but one entrance to the casino to ensure everyone went in one door to sanitize. There were changes after Nassau, you were no longer allowed to use the freestyle soda machines on your own. It made no sense that you were allowed to at the beginning of the cruise, you couldn't get a cup of coffee on your own, but were allowed to use those machines. They also began covering the waffles, pancakes, breads and such in the lounges and Windjammer after Nassau. Yesterday we saw crew in hazmat suits and masks removing some furniture from the theater. It is easy to see how things could spread as people do not take the necessary precautions, sneezing in the pool, eating in the hot tub. Unfortunately, there was no staff presence to control this. Disembarkation was a disaster. As Suite Holders, we were told to meet the Concierge in the Suite lounge there was a lack of communication and those that were sick were told to Viking Crown. Not good planning to have those in quarrentine, who were to leave the ship separately, meet with many others. It was packed in the Concierge Lounge as the concierge was not present and multiple people were bringing guests in with them who were not suite holders. Other then this, we had a great cruise, but communication on the ship could be better.

[Oren]

Several years ago, one of my kids got Noro and we were "quarantined" to our stateroom for two days. Our travel insurance, Travelex DID reimburse the pro-rated trip costs for those lost "quarantine" days as it is a covered event. We had really good documentation of the illness. Look at those trip insurance policies to see exactly how its covered today and what documents you may need to file a claim later.

Edited April 12, 2014 by Oren

[CVU]

We have been on two ships recently that had it and we were very careful washing and such and did not get it. They stepped into a major cleaning Stage and it was controlled.

 

I did get it when on a ship that wasn't supposedly having it? We were B2B, so I didn't bring it on. I was lucky and not too ill. RCL reimbursed me for the day I was quarantined.

Don't touch your face and wash with soap very very well and use paper towels for door handles etc. in the Bathroom.

But it can happen at any time if you leave your house, so just be careful. I bring Clorox wipes for the plane seat area and also wipe down hand touching areas in the cabin when we enter. After that we have fun and not worry about it!:)

Edited April 12, 2014 by CVU

[BND]

Just off the Granduer this morning. While we were never able to serve ourselves in the Windjammer, sometimes we were allowed to serve ourselves in the Diamond and Suite lounges, other times were not. There did not seem to be consistency among all the staff in all locations. They closed all but one entrance to the casino to ensure everyone went in one door to sanitize. There were changes after Nassau, you were no longer allowed to use the freestyle soda machines on your own. It made no sense that you were allowed to at the beginning of the cruise, you couldn't get a cup of coffee on your own, but were allowed to use those machines. They also began covering the waffles, pancakes, breads and such in the lounges and Windjammer after Nassau. Yesterday we saw crew in hazmat suits and masks removing some furniture from the theater. It is easy to see how things could spread as people do not take the necessary precautions, sneezing in the pool, eating in the hot tub. Unfortunately, there was no staff presence to control this. Disembarkation was a disaster. As Suite Holders, we were told to meet the Concierge in the Suite lounge there was a lack of communication and those that were sick were told to Viking Crown. Not good planning to have those in quarrentine, who were to leave the ship separately, meet with many others. It was packed in the Concierge Lounge as the concierge was not present and multiple people were bringing guests in with them who were not suite holders. Other then this, we had a great cruise, but communication on the ship could be better.

 

Sneezing in the pool? That's not a problem really. There is chlorine in the pool which will kill almost everything, including noro as bleach is one of the proven chemicals used against it. I'm also not sure why you think eating in the hot tub is a noro issue. While it's not allowed because it can cause problems for the hot tub circulation and filters if food is dropped, it doesn't cause illness. The biggest issue of all is people who do not wash their hands. The hand gel is useless against noro and it really bugs me that so many onboard probably think if they use it, they don't have to wash their hands.

[little britain]

Why on earth would you want to cancel.

It is far healthier being on a cruise ship than it is being in your local junior school or your local hospital.

 

In 2013, there were 3 norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships departing from U.S. Ports involving a total of 706 passengers. By contrast, the CDC reports there are up to 21 million norovirus cases in a typical year in the United States. To put that into perspective, approximately 10.1 million passengers embarked on CLIA member cruise ships from a US port in 2012 so this figure represents approximately 0.007% of passengers

[GenHawk]

Just off the Granduer this morning. While we were never able to serve ourselves in the Windjammer, sometimes we were allowed to serve ourselves in the Diamond and Suite lounges, other times were not. There did not seem to be consistency among all the staff in all locations. They closed all but one entrance to the casino to ensure everyone went in one door to sanitize. There were changes after Nassau, you were no longer allowed to use the freestyle soda machines on your own. It made no sense that you were allowed to at the beginning of the cruise, you couldn't get a cup of coffee on your own, but were allowed to use those machines. They also began covering the waffles, pancakes, breads and such in the lounges and Windjammer after Nassau. Yesterday we saw crew in hazmat suits and masks removing some furniture from the theater. It is easy to see how things could spread as people do not take the necessary precautions, sneezing in the pool, eating in the hot tub. Unfortunately, there was no staff presence to control this. Disembarkation was a disaster. As Suite Holders, we were told to meet the Concierge in the Suite lounge there was a lack of communication and those that were sick were told to Viking Crown. Not good planning to have those in quarrentine, who were to leave the ship separately, meet with many others. It was packed in the Concierge Lounge as the concierge was not present and multiple people were bringing guests in with them who were not suite holders. Other then this, we had a great cruise, but communication on the ship could be better.

 

Hi Tinkerbell,

 

Love the name, I am also just off the Grandeur of the Seas and was one of the sick, I was also a suite guest and they told us that we would be the last ones off the ship, but they never gave us a location to go to.

 

Wendy

[jc24cruiser]

I completely understand that you are more likely to catch Noro at work or schools/hospitals. But if you are at home you miss work...not a cruise!

 

However (even though I love snuggling my own pillow when I'm I'll) I guess that being locked in a gorgeous cabin with room service is a great way to feel better :)

[easy_123]

I was just reading about an outbreak of a new strain of Norovirus in my home town. And trust me, no one is going to get reimbursed for a cruise because of it.

 

Oh btw, I live in Denver, CO.

[Croozin Soozin]

"The CDC reports 105 of the 2,928 passengers and crew have fallen ill during the Royal Caribbean ship's latest voyage"

 

Look at it another way - 2823 of 2928 passengers and crew did not get sick!

Edited April 13, 2014 by Croozin Soozin

[Langley Cruisers]

There is never a safer time to cruise than after a ship has been disinfected. I would take a boarding delay happily because of this and in fact, have done so (our first Explorer cruise). Just be careful about leaning on railings and such - bleach does stain. :(

[manmtnmike]

Does anyone know if you can get CDC reports on subsequent sailings?

 

Thanks!~

 

Mike

[chengkp75]

Does anyone know if you can get CDC reports on subsequent sailings?

 

Thanks!~

 

Mike

 

There will only be a USPH/CDC report if the subsequent voyage reaches the 2% of total pax and crew. The report only goes in within 24 hours of the reporting threshold being reached, and isn't updated immediately. And an "outbreak update" is only posted on the website if the number of cases exceeds 3%. Otherwise, the day before the ship returns to the US, it files a "normal" report, which lists all cases, etc, but this is not public information.