Independence Norovirus Outbreak?

[Bib4i]

Thank you so much! My kids wont like it but it looks like we are not going tomorrow. I just can not take the risk .

[Biker19]

Thank you so much! My kids wont like it but it looks like we are not going tomorrow. I just can not take the risk .

FYI - this happens every year on just about every line, so going forward if you are that worried don't book any cruises between Nov and March. BTW, the kids are not a whole lot safer at school from something like this.

[LUVMY5]

I am on independence now. Both my son and I ended up with noro virus. We did get off the boat in Labadee but did not eat anything. We did go to medical. There were a lot of people there, most of them had not eaten in Labadee.

 

I noticed when we got on the boat they were not pushing the use of hand sanitizes like I have seen on other cruises. I was concerned about that as it is the cold, flu, and norovirus season. I brought sanitizing wipes for my room and the room my daughters were in. I wiped down everything possible before we left port. My girls never got sick.

 

I was impressed with how well the medical facility treated us. They gave a shot to both my son and I that worked quickly. As well as Tylenol, Imodium, and stomach cramp medicine. We stayed in our cabin as instructed for 24 hours and additional 12 after that.

 

They sanitized the boat between 5:00am this morning and 7:00 this morning. They are announcing every half hour or so to wash your hands. They have people at the restaurants requiring the use of hand sanitizer. They have the entire crew out serving the food. No one can touch the serving spoons but them. Not even to get butter or crackers. Tables and chairs in the dining area are being wiped down REALLY well. Like wet when you sit down. They have also put several letter about it with the cruise compasses at night.

 

I think they RC and the independence of the seas crew has done a great job post norovirus outbreak. They offered us free room service and in room movies. (Normal room service has a $7.95 service fee).

 

I hate that it happened to us and others. It does take away from the enjoyment. But I am pleased with how RC handled it and thankful my daughters didn't get it.

 

My recommendation, if you do get sick, go to medical. Shot works great and they took good care of us.

 

For those with the upcoming cruise. I would go. They are extra sanitizing now. Just make sure to wash your hands and use the hand sanitizer they offer. I have seen a few people today with gloves. I would bring a small pack of sanitizing wipes to wipe out your room well.

 

Enjoy your cruise and the warm weather.

[Ocean Boy]

Would love to hear more. Going on next sailing and received an e-mail about enhanced sanitation efforts needing to happen delaying our boarding. Is it that bad?

It means you will be sailing on a very clean ship.

[JakeyK414]

https://www.cruisehive.com/passengers-independence-of-the-seas-become-sick/21793

 

Seems like there is a major problem going on. "Most" passengers sick. Vomit covering elevators, things shut down, etc.

[Milwaukee Eight]

FYI - this happens every year on just about every line, so going forward if you are that worried don't book any cruises between Nov and March. BTW, the kids are not a whole lot safer at school from something like this.

 

 

 

Why does it seem to occur on cruises between November and March? We were on Brilliance last week which was a Biker Charter (not Biker19). The ship seemed to be dominated by many from cold areas. Many have now reported online that they became ill on last cruise day or a day or two after the cruise. We are from Florida and not ill nor can I find anyone local who was ill. Now it got very cold on our cruise and all these people were dressed in shorts and t shirts. I wonder if this had anything to do with it. Not to mention it poured in Key West and so many got soaked.

 

 

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Edited December 15, 2017 by Milwaukee Eight

[pequita]

Drama, Drama, Drama. I am on the ship now and the crew is going up and beyond. No complaints from me. With all the PAs and notices people still do not use common sense. This morning the greeters at the windjammer would not let in a barefooted family. Then people grabbing their food after being told over and over it is not self serve. People eating with their fingers and then picking up the salt shakers.

 

I have heard several families say that this is there last cruise. I asked if they were sick and they responded no but the wanted their money back. What a joke.

 

In the end these people with not tell any of the good and wonderful things that they have encountered on the ship, just they had a big chance of getting sick. Bless they hearts.

[Biker19]

Drama, Drama, Drama. I have heard several families say that this is there last cruise. I asked if they were sick and they responded no but the wanted their money back. What a joke.

Can't be long before someone posts about that here.:rolleyes:

[Biker19]

Why does it seem to occur on cruises between November and March?

Coincides with the flu season and other illness typically associated with folks spending more time indoors.

[Bib4i]

I just dont see why RC representatives keep on pretending noone is being sick on the ship and they just do all that cleaning as every month. I just called them .

[Mikew0805]

I am on independence now. Both my son and I ended up with noro virus. We did get off the boat in Labadee but did not eat anything. We did go to medical. There were a lot of people there, most of them had not eaten in Labadee.

 

I noticed when we got on the boat they were not pushing the use of hand sanitizes like I have seen on other cruises. I was concerned about that as it is the cold, flu, and norovirus season. I brought sanitizing wipes for my room and the room my daughters were in. I wiped down everything possible before we left port. My girls never got sick.

 

I was impressed with how well the medical facility treated us. They gave a shot to both my son and I that worked quickly. As well as Tylenol, Imodium, and stomach cramp medicine. We stayed in our cabin as instructed for 24 hours and additional 12 after that.

 

They sanitized the boat between 5:00am this morning and 7:00 this morning. They are announcing every half hour or so to wash your hands. They have people at the restaurants requiring the use of hand sanitizer. They have the entire crew out serving the food. No one can touch the serving spoons but them. Not even to get butter or crackers. Tables and chairs in the dining area are being wiped down REALLY well. Like wet when you sit down. They have also put several letter about it with the cruise compasses at night.

 

I think they RC and the independence of the seas crew has done a great job post norovirus outbreak. They offered us free room service and in room movies. (Normal room service has a $7.95 service fee).

 

I hate that it happened to us and others. It does take away from the enjoyment. But I am pleased with how RC handled it and thankful my daughters didn't get it.

 

My recommendation, if you do get sick, go to medical. Shot works great and they took good care of us.

 

For those with the upcoming cruise. I would go. They are extra sanitizing now. Just make sure to wash your hands and use the hand sanitizer they offer. I have seen a few people today with gloves. I would bring a small pack of sanitizing wipes to wipe out your room well.

 

Enjoy your cruise and the warm weather.

 

 

WHAT.. giving out shots? What medication are they injecting?

[Mikew0805]

I just dont see why RC representatives keep on pretending noone is being sick on the ship and they just do all that cleaning as every month. I just called them .

 

Thank you so much! My kids wont like it but it looks like we are not going tomorrow. I just can not take the risk .

 

Now I am starting to understand the frustration that many members on these boards feel with newer members posts.

 

If you are actually booked on the sailing, it is extremely short sighted to cancel... however go ahead, you will forfeit your money, for no good reason.

[bobkat12]

Will be on her 12/21, cant wait. Have experienced this situation before with nary a problem. Common sense goes a long way here.

 

 

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[coaster]

I just dont see why RC representatives keep on pretending noone is being sick on the ship and they just do all that cleaning as every month. I just called them .

 

 

 

Feel sorry for the crew when these outbreaks occur. They work so hard even when things are normal. Corporate denying there is an issue makes me question leadership in Miami though. Most corporations have learned to be honest and open when responding to crisis or unpleasant events such as this. Losing credibility and putting issues 'under the rug' is a playbook for failure.

 

 

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[JakeyK414]

For those curious what they are injection, I would assume it is Zofran (ondansetron) an anti-nausea medicine. The IM injections work well for people with Noro

[Ocean Boy]

Thank you so much! My kids wont like it but it looks like we are not going tomorrow. I just can not take the risk .

Wow. Do whatever you feel comfortable doing. I've been practicing medicine a long time and if I had a reservation for tomorrow's sailing I'd be heading to the airport now.

[HwyFuzz]

Wow. Do whatever you feel comfortable doing. I've been practicing medicine a long time and if I had a reservation for tomorrow's sailing I'd be heading to the airport now.

 

 

Best comment here! LOL

 

We will be showing up tomorrow with Lysol, Imodium, wipes, sanitizer, Tylenol, and whatever else fits in a small toiletries bag! Ok, extra underwear also - I had this virus once before - you sit on the toilet and have the sink in front of you - two birds with one stone!

[shred5]

https://www.cruisehive.com/passengers-independence-of-the-seas-become-sick/21793

 

Seems like there is a major problem going on. "Most" passengers sick. Vomit covering elevators, things shut down, etc.

 

We know this aint true because of people on board.

[clo6216]

I just saw that someone wants to cancel their cruise for tomorrow. Do not see the need. As I reported earlier, crew is going above and beyond to sanitize. By tomorrow, this will be the “Cleanest Ship in the Seas.”

 

 

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[99florida]

I was nervous about it too...but if you go to the CDC website and see the Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships in their directory, you will notice that almost 100% of the time the outbreaks never span more than one sailing. Let's just be thankful for that extra cleaning they will be doing throughout Saturday and that we are not experiencing what those are onboard right now.

 

My family was just discussing many of the tricks discussed in this post. We know that menus for example can be a big problem, so we are going to go ahead and print out the MDR, Chops, and Giovannis menus offline and have our own copies for when we go (y)

 

After I order and have touched a menu, I always go to the restroom and wash my hands and use a paper towel to open the restroom door. I've done it for years whether on a ship or on land in a restaurant. Just a clean healthy habit.

[99florida]

You could not wash your hands and not catch it if you NEVER touch your face. That's the "entry" for the germs. Folks touch their face...nose, mouth, eyes without even thinking. If you NEVER allow entry, germs on your hands won't make you ill. They can't penetrate your skin.

So...wash your hands frequently and do NOT touch your eyes, nose or mouth....and you should be good!

 

People should cough or sneeze in their elbow vs their hand too. Just a simple and a no brainer way to help not the spreading of germs.

[Paulxyz2004]

 

That being said, absolutely be mindful of what you touch and don't turn down the washy washy.

 

I will always and ever turn down the washy washy crap. This is just giving the people a false sense of safety. I´m always happy to use the hand washing facilities on ships that have them, but I´m absolutely not using hand sanitizer on a ship. Hand sanitizer belongs in a hospital and other medical setting, but not on a cruise ship.

[Paulxyz2004]

I just dont see why RC representatives keep on pretending noone is being sick on the ship and they just do all that cleaning as every month. I just called them .

 

I hope you have insurance, because don´t expect to get anything from RCI. BTW, can I have your tickets? I´d love to go in a heartbeat.

 

 

Wow. Do whatever you feel comfortable doing. I've been practicing medicine a long time and if I had a reservation for tomorrow's sailing I'd be heading to the airport now.

 

Me too. Besides the risk being infected at my work place, though we don´t have any outbreaks as of yet, the risk is to get it at the airport, on the plane, on the taxi/bus to the ship etc. are likely as high or higher than to get it on the ship.

 

 

I still want to go, so can I have the tickets from Bib4i?:cool::D

[Bib4i]

We dont have insurance . If it was just me and my helathy kids I wouldn't even think about not going but my little one has a chronic bowel disease . Loosing the vacation money is better than spending thousands in hospital bills as last time when he got sick and ended up in the hospital for 6 months.

We want to go so bad

 

 

I wish I could give you my tickets

[utwofan]

A few considerations. It is a good idea to sanitize your hands AFTER getting your food from a buffet. Just think about all the others who have handled the serving utensils after sampling food on their plates in line with their hands. Think about the arm rests in the theater (or anywhere else) as you pull the straw from your drink to your mouth during a show. It is difficult to think about all the possibilities and can reach a point where you don't enjoy your cruise at all. Handling your drink glass in the casino is another good place to be careful. Consider also that when you hand your Cruise ID to security when exiting or entering the ship, the security personnel are wearing rubber gloves but those gloves have touched ID's of of many hundreds of other passengers. The list is endless so just be observant.