Norovirus Cabin B435

[jollyjones]

Since there is an incubation period for many infectious diseases before symptoms show (for noro it is usually 24 - 48 hrs), I'm sure many pax embark feeling well, fill in their health questionnaire honestly, and then become ill after sailaway. They could very well have picked up the virus in the airports, planes, hotels, restaurants, transfer coaches, cruise terminal etc. on their way to the ship.

And in any group of people exposed to a virus, there are usually the lucky few who may be infected but whose symptoms are very, very mild and may be overlooked.

I'd suspect it's probable that pax with infectious diseases board on almost all cruises - certainly noro is common enough and I've seen plenty of people with coughs and colds when I've been cruising.

We need to keep these first world problems in perspective but as a previous poster said, you do have to have sympathy for the OP spending the majority of the cruise feeling dismal and stuck in the cabin, but that's not a reason to blame Princess.

Edited April 27, 2015 by jollyjones

[cruzmax]

We cruised on Royal Princess last week and we're glad they have hand washing stations at entrance to Horizon Buffet area. I told them it was a great idea and thanks. Their was a Princess employee standing at Horizon court entrance and I heard many passengers complaining to the employee about having to wash their hands. I think it should be on all ships!

[gooch47]

I got it at a casino a couple months ago.

 

I wrote a letter to the editor of our paper saying I was tired of the media implying this only happens on cruise ships and that somehow it was the ships' fault.

[cabinfever60]

It's very clear, some people just need to take less then 30 seconds and simply wash their hands. This will make cruising wonderful for everyone on board the ship:

[elliair]

Just off the Ruby Princess. both of us out of 7 day cruise 4 days in cabin...That's it for Princess.I heard from dock worker one is coming in tomorrow CDC wants cleaned top to bottom will see if the news says anything......

 

If it's truly noro and not going into dry dock, cleaning isn't going to mean that much as people come on board with it. Princess only tries to limit the impact on other passengers. We had the worse embarkation due to "so called noro." I don't believe it as passengers on the ship B2B said they knew nothing of the noro on the previous cruise. I won't say it's my last cruise with Princess as we have one coming up May 22. After this one, will be looking at other lines for cruising. Just got a great offer with Royal Caribbean, it's tempting. Sorry that you got sick, Princess does not care.

[elliair]

It's very clear, some people just need to take less then 30 seconds and simply wash their hands. This will make cruising wonderful for everyone on board the ship:

 

We went to Captain's night for the Elite and Platinum. The captain of course did not shake hands with people which is understandable. He made announcement after announcement about washing your hands, personal hygiene, don't touch your face, blah, blah. The first thing he did when he got on stage to speak, was rub his nose with his hand. Yes, I snickered.

[tootsiescurly]

Had some friends on the aforementioned Ruby sailing. They had a great time; did not get sick.

[MRSCOACH]

We just got off the Ruby, and we are fine. Everywhere passengers washed hands before entering and when exiting food venues.

We did do a total Clorox wipe of our cabin and every item in it.

Sorry the germ got you.

[MRSCOACH]

Also, all the officers at the Elite Platinum 2nd sitting did shake hands with passengers. I was a little surprised at that!

[SoCal Cruiser78]

...I heard from dock worker one is coming in tomorrow CDC wants cleaned top to bottom will see if the news says anything......

 

Sorry to hear about your illness. It affects all cruise lines, unfortunately, at one time or another. The Grand arrives tomorrow in San Pedro, so perhaps that is the ship you are referring to.

[xshark]

Sorry to hear about your illness. It affects all cruise lines, unfortunately, at one time or another. The Grand arrives tomorrow in San Pedro, so perhaps that is the ship you are referring to.

It's the Coral Princess:

 

http://www.travelpulse.com/news/impacting-travel/norovirus-outbreak-reported-on-coral-princess.html

[Rancher Dave]

What about hotels you stay at, planes you fly on, public transportation you take. Eating out at restaurants, buying groceries? Will you boycott all of them?

 

My last trip to Seattle I spent nearly the entire time in bed or the bathroom. Day I arrived was the only good day. Not sure if it was the hotel or the food from the national pizza chain. Not boycotting either, but know it was one of the, possibly even the rental car or could it have been the airplane...don't know and really it doesn't matter, I got noro from someplace other than a ship. Stinks because I had big plans for my visit to Seattle.

[kruisey]

I wonder myself why folks seem to think Norovirus is a cruise ship disease.?

What is wrong with some folks?

Norovirus thrives in Nursing Homes every winter.I bet more outbreaks in those than cruise ships. Also schools and hospitals.In the work place.

It seems some like to put blinders on and concentrate on cruise ships.

Yes I had it ONCE on a Princess cruise and I will be heading for my 23 voyage with them next year.................

Edited April 28, 2015 by kruisey

[princess09]

We just got off the Ruby, and we are fine. Everywhere passengers washed hands before entering and when exiting food venues.

We did do a total Clorox wipe of our cabin and every item in it.

Sorry the germ got you.

Several years ago, on the Ocean Princess, hand sanitizer was placed at the entrance to the main dining room (as well as at Horizon Court). The head waiter stood at the entrance and made sure everyone used it. I have only cruised on the larger ships since then and don't understand why this is not practiced on all Princess main dining rooms.

 

I'm not a "germaphobe" but when I was at the Horizon and saw what people did while getting their food, I was appalled. The last straw for me was when a passenger sneezed into their hand and promptly picked up a serving spoon. I couldn't resist and asked the person to wash their hands. I also asked a crew member to replace the spoon.

[caribill]

Several years ago, on the Ocean Princess, hand sanitizer was placed at the entrance to the main dining room (as well as at Horizon Court). The head waiter stood at the entrance and made sure everyone used it. I have only cruised on the larger ships since then and don't understand why this is not practiced on all Princess main dining rooms.

 

 

Because the hand sanitizer does not kill noro or even get much of it off of your hands.

 

The CDC says it can be used in addition to hand washing, but not instead of it. However, many people see the hand sanitizer being used and think it means they do not have to wash their hands.

 

The hand sanitizer can prevent the spread of bacteria caused illness, but not virus illnesses such as noro.

[Colo Cruiser]

Some don't wash their hands regardless of whether they use sanitizer.

[helby]

Sorry to hear you were ill with noro. I was on the Ruby cruise ending April 26th and didn't hear about it. Just disembarked today from the Ruby April 26-29 and didn't hear about it then either. While HAL serves everything at the buffet for the first two days there are still people who don't go to the buffet for the first few days who get Noro from touching other things on the ship.

 

What percentage of passengers need to have noro before they need to announce an outbreak?

[karatemom2]

What percentage of passengers need to have noro before they need to announce an outbreak?

 

3 % of the total including passengers and crew.

[caribill]

Sorry to hear you were ill with noro. I was on the Ruby cruise ending April 26th and didn't hear about it. Just disembarked today from the Ruby April 26-29 and didn't hear about it then either. While HAL serves everything at the buffet for the first two days there are still people who don't go to the buffet for the first few days who get Noro from touching other things on the ship.

 

What percentage of passengers need to have noro before they need to announce an outbreak?

 

3 % of the total including passengers and crew.

 

That is what is required to report the outbreak to the CDC.

 

To make an announcement to passengers that there are precautions being taken due to a higher than normal number of gastrointestinal illnesses is lower. Don't know what it is, but I suspect between 1% and 2% of the passengers.

 

Since noro is the second most prevalent illness in the USA after the common cold (about 20 million cases a year per the CDC), chances are there are always a few passengers with it on every cruise.

[AZbeachboy]

So very sorry to hear you were sick with noro. We were on the Crown a couple of weeks ago and also succumbed to that nasty bug. It is no fun! B254 was our cabin - maybe they need to look at the Baja deck? As others have said, noro isn't unique to cruise ships but it does seem to thrive in confined environments and sharing tiny cabins and bathrooms doesn't give you the ability to avoid it as effectively as you might if a family member is sick at home. However, I wouldn't let it put me off Princess or cruising. I'm sure its hard to think about now after your recent disappointing vacation, but perhaps after a bit of time has passed you might reconsider.

 

And to those posting such unsympathetic responses to the OP, please remember that being sick on your long awaited vacation, especially with norovirus, is going to leave someone feeling jaded and unhappy. Please try to show a bit more empathy and understanding.

 

 

I think it was the way that the OP came on about the illness and not cruising on Princess again. A good attitude and tone go a long way.

[Coveguy4]

I was on the same cruise and heard nothing from anyone onboard being ill. The salt and pepper in the buffet was packets only and the silverware was handed out with plates. Those were the only precautions I saw. Sorry the OP fell ill, but it was a fantastic cruise with perfect weather, great food and wonderful entertainment. The only negative I could think of was the cruise director who I didn't care for. Sailed with him before with same dissatisfaction.

[Colo Cruiser]

I was on the same cruise and heard nothing from anyone onboard being ill. The salt and pepper in the buffet was packets only and the silverware was handed out with plates. Those were the only precautions I saw. Sorry the OP fell ill, but it was a fantastic cruise with perfect weather, great food and wonderful entertainment. The only negative I could think of was the cruise director who I didn't care for. Sailed with him before with same dissatisfaction.

 

 

There are many Cruise Directors. :confused:

[DrivesLikeMario]

Just off the Ruby Princess. both of us out of 7 day cruise 4 days in cabin...That's it for Princess.I heard from dock worker one is coming in tomorrow CDC wants cleaned top to bottom will see if the news says anything......

 

I'm shocked! I was on the same sailing and neither I, nor my father, had any problems at all. Never heard a thing from the crew or other passengers either.

 

I did notice that the salt & pepper shakers disappeared from the HC on Tuesday (I think that was the day) and we went to the little packets instead. I much prefer those as I think they are much more hygienic anyway. That was the only clue I saw.

[DrivesLikeMario]

I was on the same cruise and heard nothing from anyone onboard being ill. The salt and pepper in the buffet was packets only and the silverware was handed out with plates. Those were the only precautions I saw. Sorry the OP fell ill, but it was a fantastic cruise with perfect weather, great food and wonderful entertainment. The only negative I could think of was the cruise director who I didn't care for. Sailed with him before with same dissatisfaction.

 

OMG, totally agree with you on all of that, especially the cruise director. I made the mistake of going to his talk on "Living and Working in Paradise" which was supposed to be about working onboard the ship, how long contracts were, how people get hired, what they look for, etc. Ended up being a miserable hour all about him and his and his wife's charity. :rolleyes: Just not my cup of tea at all.

[Colo Cruiser]

I'm shocked! I was on the same sailing and neither I, nor my father, had any problems at all. Never heard a thing from the crew or other passengers either.

 

I did notice that the salt & pepper shakers disappeared from the HC on Tuesday (I think that was the day) and we went to the little packets instead. I much prefer those as I think they are much more hygienic anyway. That was the only clue I saw.

 

OMG, totally agree with you on all of that, especially the cruise director. I made the mistake of going to his talk on "Living and Working in Paradise" which was supposed to be about working onboard the ship, how long contracts were, how people get hired, what they look for, etc. Ended up being a miserable hour all about him and his and his wife's charity. :rolleyes: Just not my cup of tea at all.

 

 

Hmmmm, I wonder who it might be?

Edited April 30, 2015 by Colo Cruiser