Star Princess has a outbreak?

[HI-C-Dubs]

Just a thought: how hard is it to find hand sanitizer at the MDR? I have heard that it's rather easy to find at the buffets..

[spcl4cs_gal]

Just a thought: how hard is it to find hand sanitizer at the MDR? I have heard that it's rather easy to find at the buffets..

 

Like in the buffets the sanitizer is right at the door of the MDR as you enter.

[spcl4cs_gal]

Zaandam perhaps Sept-Oct 2014? If it's the same CD, he said he's focussing more on his choreography career and only does CD work when HAL needs him for fill in.

 

Yes, Carlos Mendoza.....he's the guy. I knew he was working in his other career but hope that he hasn't left the ships for good. He was quite a good CD. :)

[elliair]

This is really now a pet peeve of mine. We just got off the Coral Princess and I am convinced that the noro virus gets started in the buffet. I sat and watched for 14 days people licking their fingers then going back into the buffet area and getting more food. This one did it in for me: I went up to the buffet to get some cheese to have with our wine on our balcony. There was a woman (early 30's?) who was sucking on a piece of pineapple right in the buffet where the food is served. She was working that piece of pineapple over when she spotted the whipped cream. She picked up a spoonful of whipped cream, slathered it on to the pineapple she was eating and placed the spoon back into the whipped cream bowl. :eek: WTH! I spoke up. I told her "What you did there was spreading the noro." She said "What is noroi?" I said "it's when you puke and crap your brains out and you wish you were dead!" She grabbed an orange and took off. I picked the whipped cream bowl up and took it to the workers behind the counter and told them what happened. I saw another man serving himself soup. He spilled some on the edge of his cup. He took his finger and wiped the ladle and licked his finger. Then he wiped his cup and licked his finger and went on to pick up serving spoons. I avoided going behind him to serve myself. So, just sit back and watch, be observant as to what people are doing around you, it's appalling! Even in the MDR, the man sitting across from us did a number on his fingers as well!:eek:

[HI-C-Dubs]

Yup, the buffets are probably the biggest transmission vector for Norwalk virus for sure! Maybe hidden cameras and the public shaming at MUTS is the answer?

 

 

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[elliair]

Yup, the buffets are probably the biggest transmission vector for Norwalk virus for sure! Maybe hidden cameras and the public shaming at MUTS is the answer?

 

 

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Well, when I told the woman that she was spreading noro she had no clue. I think people just automatically lick their fingers without giving it a second thought. Hidden cameras is after the fact and it doesn't serve any purpose when several are doing it. I suggested in the Princess survey I received, that the hand sanitizers should be placed at both ends of the buffet and an employee standing there encouraging people to use them. Employees can not make you use the sanitizers as I've seen people refuse to use them. My thing is to take care of me and DH, keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes. Wash iour hands frequently with soap and water. I might start bringing disposable gloves with me to use when I pick up the serving spoons. It's obvious that Princess or any other cruise line can't stop people from being unsanitary.

[swedish weave]

It may be comforting to some of you to point fingers and place blame, but think logically and you will realize that many of you get off the plane or ship and frequent restaurants that you have no idea how clean they are or if someone has been there with noro. You then return to the ship without knowing you may be the carrier who brings noro onboard.

[Lucky TGO]

You are so right very true!!

Tony

[Michelle19]

Washy, washy. On every NCL cruise there are always crew members with spray bottles at the restaurants, especially the buffet. On on last couple of Princess cruises, there was not a washy, washy to be found. Seems like a simple way to help reduce the chance of noro. We will be in the Star in November, hope to see lots of spray bottles about the ship.

 

Yes the Washy Wahy.. We had that a lot on the Getaway last June. They have someone at every entrance spraying your hands.

 

*Keep a small antibac in your pocket and don't touch the railings of the stairs and use your own bathroom if possible. We had a code Red once and these are all the things they will say to do to help. Im sure they will get the Star cleaned up real nice while in Port.

[Astro Flyer]

Yes the Washy Wahy.. We had that a lot on the Getaway last June. They have someone at every entrance spraying your hands.

 

*Keep a small antibac in your pocket and don't touch the railings of the stairs and use your own bathroom if possible. We had a code Red once and these are all the things they will say to do to help. Im sure they will get the Star cleaned up real nice while in Port.

 

Based on my research, washing hands is the best preventative measure but norovirus is a virus & an antibacterial lotion (such as that used at dining locations) is for bacteria. Washing hands is essential & some passengers mistakenly think the antibacterial lotion kills the norovirus which is not true. Unfortunately using antibacterial lotion gives some passengers a false sense of security by thinking the lotion prevents the spread of norovirus which is best done by hand washing.

 

There are a few antiviral lotions available that are quite expensive & the cost may be why cruise lines use less expensive antibacterial lotions which do not kill viruses such as norovirus.

 

My recent cruise had a Code Red at the beginning of the cruise & I saw a guy rinse his mouth & spit it into the sink! :eek: Such actions & a lack of hand washing are why I only use public bathrooms when absolutely necessary.

 

I frequently use stairs & either use the stairway railing or have my hand close to the railing...I'd rather risk getting norovirus than being injured by falling

Edited May 12, 2016 by Astro Flyer

[cruising cockroach]

Yes, Carlos Mendoza.....he's the guy. I knew he was working in his other career but hope that he hasn't left the ships for good. He was quite a good CD. :)

 

He got off the Zaandam at the first stop in Valparaiso at the end of the repo. Said he was going to do a short fill-in stint for a HAL Caribbean cruise over that X'mas (2014).

 

He was the CD on the only 2 HAL cruises I've been on.

 

 

Back to the subject of Star. No outbreak of anything on the repo up from San Pedro at the end of March. Just a lot of long lines for everything and general lack of service (marginally surly when there was any).

Edited May 12, 2016 by cruising cockroach

[greenie082756]

You would think that Princess would make a bold printed flyer and hand it to you as you board that says, "Help us to help you, wash your hands frequently to avoid the noro virus" or something to that extent. :confused:

 

They give us enough paper mail, why not something as important as the health education to passenger?? Keep putting reminders in the cabins to washy, washy!

 

As far as the Purell stations @ the buffet entrance and MDR, a big flashing bright arrow pointing down on it might help!

 

So Princess, if your going to make so many flyers to sell something why not sell cleanliness? :)

[cruising cockroach]

The Star P. did not have any hand sanitizer dispensers in late March/early April this year. All dispensing was done by crewmen (labour must be cheap).

[condorfan]

 

 

 

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Yup, the buffets are probably the biggest transmission vector for Norwalk virus for sure! Maybe hidden cameras and the public shaming at MUTS is the answer? true about the buffet, but i always wonder why they never shut down the casino or the gym ?????? chips, money, weights, towels just a thought. have been thru a few of these myself never fun, always funny when they serve at the buffet 2 pieces of bacon i look at them (i'm a big guy) and say does it look like i et 2 pieces of bacon then we laugh everyone always in good spirits even though they have to work extra hard

[cindep]

I think using the gloves is a great idea!

Edited May 13, 2016 by cindep
Clarification

[shredie]

Maybe hidden cameras and the public shaming at MUTS is the answer?

 

Princess will surely go for that idea. "Sail Princess and be secretly filmed and publicly shamed." :rolleyes:

[moki'smommy]

 

There are a few antiviral lotions available that are quite expensive & the cost may be why cruise lines use less expensive antibacterial lotions which do not kill viruses such as norovirus.

 

 

I frequently use stairs & either use the stairway railing or have my hand close to the railing...I'd rather risk getting norovirus than being injured by falling

 

Disney uses hand wipes that have the anti-viral stuff on them for EVERY cruise (not just when there is an outbreak). They station an assistant server at the entrance to each MDR to place a wipe into the hands of each guest. True, they can't force you to use it, but actively placing it in your hands certainly encourages it. And then they follow up with the hand washing talks. In addition, the kids are required to use the special hand washing station when they enter the kid areas! On the first day, they actually do "classes" on hand washing and encourage the kids to teach their parents.

 

I'm not implying that an antiviral wipe replaces hand washing--it doesn't. Frankly, we avoid buffets, public restrooms, and tables that are not freshly wiped off whenever possible. But as noted, elevator buttons and hand rails are harder to avoid. That's why the hand washing each time we enter the cabin. It isn't a sure-fire preventative, but every step that each individual takes is a help.

[Astro Flyer]

Disney uses hand wipes that have the anti-viral stuff on them for EVERY cruise (not just when there is an outbreak). They station an assistant server at the entrance to each MDR to place a wipe into the hands of each guest. True' date=' they can't force you to use it, but actively placing it in your hands certainly encourages it. And then they follow up with the hand washing talks. In addition, the kids are required to use the special hand washing station when they enter the kid areas! On the first day, they actually do "classes" on hand washing and encourage the kids to teach their parents.

 

[b']I'm not implying that an antiviral wipe replaces hand washing--it doesn't.[/b] Frankly, we avoid buffets, public restrooms, and tables that are not freshly wiped off whenever possible. But as noted, elevator buttons and hand rails are harder to avoid. That's why the hand washing each time we enter the cabin. It isn't a sure-fire preventative, but every step that each individual takes is a help.

Thanks & it's great that Disney spends the money on antiviral wipes which is something all cruise lines should do!

 

And like you posted, it doesn't replace hand washing but by providing a true antiviral instead of an ineffective antibacterial lotion Disney is doing everything possible to prevent outbreaks of norovirus.

[HI-C-Dubs]

It may be comforting to some of you to point fingers and place blame, but think logically and you will realize that many of you get off the plane or ship and frequent restaurants that you have no idea how clean they are or if someone has been there with noro. You then return to the ship without knowing you may be the carrier who brings noro onboard.

 

 

This is very true! And unlike a cruise, if there is a person transmitting a dies ideas in a plane, you won't realize it until you're far away... Since on the cruise you are stuck in the same environment all week you'll experience the noro with the perps that gave it to you!

 

And Disney's anti bacterial wipes explains where all that extra money you pay goes! :D but honestly to Disney, not having a Noro outbreak is a matter of children's safety and its higher-class image so they will make the extra effort (because hey it's Disney!)

 

 

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[rustynana]

Just debarked from the Star Princess. We did have an outbreak and the code was red. The crew were exceptional. Some passengers, not so much. Even when we were at the peak of the outbreak, and notices re hand washing had been distributed, some passengers were not following protocols--avoiding the Purel dispensers, very briefly putting one hand under the tap in the public bathroom, no soap, the exiting the bathroom, complaining all the time. Perhaps precautions ought to have been instituted sooner (ie no serving one's self in the buffet from the beginning), but that works only with full cooperation!

[QuilterGirl]

We also just returned home from the Vancouver/Hawaii/Vancouver April 29 Star Princess cruise. The captain came on almost every day, once the Noro thing started, to give us an update. The most new cases I heard him report was 27 in one day - thus, the number of new cases approximated 1% of the passengers.

 

My husband took ill with Noro on the seventh day of the cruise, even though we make it a point to not touch the railings, elevator buttons, etc. But there are times you have to open a door or pull out a chair, etc., let alone serve oneself in the buffet. We also use the Purell religiously, including after looking at the dinner and dessert menus in the main dining rooms, and after seating ourselves in the buffet (I always have a small bottle of it in my pocket). (Yes, I know Noro is a virus and Purell is against bacteria - but better something than nothing.) Yes, they did have a day when each cabin was sanitized with "Virox," but I watched while this was done in our cabin, and it didn't include the TV remote, the rods to open/close the draperies, the telephone, the doorknobs...

 

The crew was indeed outstanding in handling their increased duties with graciousness.

 

BTW, should you ever contract Noro/"gastro" on Princess, your experience will probably be similar to this: The ill person becomes quarantined (for perhaps 24 hours - maybe longer) after the last "incident" (of vomiting or diarrhea). There may or may not be a visit by the duty nurse - all consultation may all be done by phone. Any spouse or other person sharing the room, who is not showing symptoms, is not quarantined, but it is suggested that they dine in other than the buffet. The ill person may order room service items appropriate for recovery (apparently there used to be a special menu given out for this, but now you just look over the regular room service menu and chat with the order-taker about appropriate foods). Princess will do laundry for free for the affected party (presumably only while in quarantine). If you are booked on a Princess shore excursion which would occur during your quarantine, the Medical Center will stamp the ticket for you (and for others in your party who will stay on board because of your illness) and you will have that credited back to your account. If you have insurance for this voyage, it might behoove you to visit the Medical Center after your recovery to request a letter from the doctor attesting to your illness; our insurance reimburses a portion of the cruise fare for each day of illness.

[villager13]

It's great that the hand sanitizer machines are all over the ship and at the entrance to the Buffett but passengers use them and then go into the Buffett and dining room and proceed to sneeze and cough into their hands or blow their nose and then go to the Buffett and use the tongs or the salt and pepper shakers in the dining room. A lot happens between the Purcell machines and the serving tongs.

I'm not sure what the answer is but we continue to use our disposable food handler gloves when we o to the Buffett. Has worked for us so far since most germs are transmitted from hand to mouth.

[Astro Flyer]

It's great that the hand sanitizer machines are all over the ship and at the entrance to the Buffett but passengers use them and then go into the Buffett and dining room and proceed to sneeze and cough into their hands or blow their nose and then go to the Buffett and use the tongs or the salt and pepper shakers in the dining room. A lot happens between the Purcell machines and the serving tongs.

 

I'm not sure what the answer is but we continue to use our disposable food handler gloves when we o to the Buffett. Has worked for us so far since most germs are transmitted from hand to mouth.

 

Antibacterial Purell is not a truly effective procedure for a virus like norovirus & I've read that Disney provides antiviral wipes. Based on my research hand washing with soap & water is the most effective way to prevent the spread of norovirus.

 

But all of the preventive measures possible cannot overcome passengers who act like those you describe or like the guy I saw who rinsed his mouth & spit it into the sink during a Code Red. :rolleyes:

 

In addition to the preventative measures, I try to never put my hands anywhere near my eyes, nose or mouth and so far I've avoided norovirus while on a ship. :)

Edited May 15, 2016 by Astro Flyer

[WupperAV]

Why do they label dirty dishes, warm potato salad and cool to medium warm meat with mounds of bacteria growing on them and making everyone ill a Norovirus. People acquire the virus by ingesting material contaminated with small amounts of infected feces or fluids. Food and water may be contaminated during processing or handling so it's a bacterial outbreak really. We boarded Diamond Princess and half the ship got sick so they cleaned up the kitchens, made servers use plastic gloves, served hot and or cold food and it went away. Funny how the other half was "Immune" to it. To me it's just plain old food poisoning but they came up with a label so you wouldn't blame the Cruise Line.

[Astro Flyer]

To me it's just plain old food poisoning but they came up with a label so you wouldn't blame the Cruise Line.

Anything could be possible but I think the ship lacks a way to do lab work to determine whether it's norovirus or food poisoning.

 

A friend was quarantined & the doctor told him it was unlikely that his symptoms were norovirus but not having a way to diagnose it at sea they rightly chose to err on the side of caution by quarantining passengers. They should also research possible food poisoning causes but don't know if they do it or not.