ICON of the poop

[island lady]

2 hours ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

I may get flamed for this, but IMO Disney Cruises are a totally different class of guests.  Less focus on drinking which encourages this type of behavior. i nope you find a way to enjoy the rest of your cruise

 

And no casinos.  😉 

[chengkp75]

1 minute ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

I would do this in a heartbeat, vut I have no clue what USPH or VSP means.

USPH is the US Public Health Service that administers the VSP (Vessel Sanitation Program) for the CDC.  All cruise ships that call at US ports are subject to health inspections by USPH every time they enter the US from a foreign port, and these inspections include health interviews with selected groups of passengers and crew, before allowing anyone to disembark the ship.  Imagine the chaos and delay if this were carried out on every cruise ship every week.  So, in order to bypass this, cruise lines and the CDC devised the VSP which is a comprehensive plan covering all aspects of public health on ships, from pools to food safety, to laundry, kid's centers, and lighting and ventilation, and not only covers the operation of the ships, but how they are built in the first place.  The VSP is the basis for those USPH inspections that you see on cruise ships (those guys and gals in khaki uniforms), and they try to inspect every cruise ship calling in the US twice a year, unannounced.  These inspections give the "grades" that one can look for on the CDC website, and a failing score (under 75 out of 100), can cost the ship its ability to embark passengers in the US.  So, involving the USPH/CDC is a big deal for the cruise lines.

[lovesthebeach2]

2 hours ago, MandyMooToo said:

Just complained here, I am sure.  HA HA HA.  I jest.  But really, for as many of these complaining posts, there will be people defending the children using the pools for toilets and then those that defend the adults that never leave the hot tubs after drinking all day.  "It is my cruise too" or "my children deserve to  have fun too."  While that is true, most all of these problems can be eliminated by: Adults acting like they have sense and going leaving the bodies of water to use the restroom, parents not placing their children in situations where they have "accidents" (because let's be honest, it is not the fault of the children), and the staff trying their best to stay on top of it all.  

 

This is not Icon specific behavior by any means.  On our RCCL cruises we have watched life guards and other staff members make children get out of the pools when they are in diapers, not so much the hot tubs though.  I am not sure why anyone would allow their children in the hot tubs as I always thought they were unsafe for children but I could be wrong.  Last cruise, or the one before, A family pushed into the hot tub we were in, and I do mean pushed-they physically sat down where there was no space and I sat in my husband's lap!  They had three small children and one was in a diaper.  Dad (I assume) placed the baby on his knee while the others stood and bounced/jumped around and then floated in the center wearing floaty lifejacket things.  The other adults just got out and gave them the hot tub because it was uncomfortable for all of us.  Once before a young man got in wearing snorkel gear and was "swimming" around snorkeling in the hot tub while his mother sat in a chair watching from afar.  Nothing was said to these kids or their families.  But in the main pool, the life guards were on top of making diapered children get out. Who knows why one is different?  

Occasionally the life guards will act if its brought to their attention by a guest. 
 

Once MANY MANY years ago we were in the Solarium in the hot tub and a dad came in with a young boy, maybe 4 or 5, and the boy was jumping and diving into the hot tub all the while the dad was smiling. I got out and grabbed the life guard, and he got them to leave. That was way back when we actually went into the hot tub…..havent gone into the pee pool in a VERY long time.

[lovesthebeach2]

2 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

USPH is the US Public Health Service that administers the VSP (Vessel Sanitation Program) for the CDC.  All cruise ships that call at US ports are subject to health inspections by USPH every time they enter the US from a foreign port, and these inspections include health interviews with selected groups of passengers and crew, before allowing anyone to disembark the ship.  Imagine the chaos and delay if this were carried out on every cruise ship every week.  So, in order to bypass this, cruise lines and the CDC devised the VSP which is a comprehensive plan covering all aspects of public health on ships, from pools to food safety, to laundry, kid's centers, and lighting and ventilation, and not only covers the operation of the ships, but how they are built in the first place.  The VSP is the basis for those USPH inspections that you see on cruise ships (those guys and gals in khaki uniforms), and they try to inspect every cruise ship calling in the US twice a year, unannounced.  These inspections give the "grades" that one can look for on the CDC website, and a failing score (under 75 out of 100), can cost the ship its ability to embark passengers in the US.  So, involving the USPH/CDC is a big deal for the cruise lines.

I would imagine we would get flagged by Royal if we did something like that, but i for sure would!. Thanks for always sharing your knowledge.

[Pratique]

13 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

USPH is the US Public Health Service that administers the VSP (Vessel Sanitation Program) for the CDC.  All cruise ships that call at US ports are subject to health inspections by USPH every time they enter the US from a foreign port, and these inspections include health interviews with selected groups of passengers and crew, before allowing anyone to disembark the ship.  Imagine the chaos and delay if this were carried out on every cruise ship every week.  So, in order to bypass this, cruise lines and the CDC devised the VSP which is a comprehensive plan covering all aspects of public health on ships, from pools to food safety, to laundry, kid's centers, and lighting and ventilation, and not only covers the operation of the ships, but how they are built in the first place.  The VSP is the basis for those USPH inspections that you see on cruise ships (those guys and gals in khaki uniforms), and they try to inspect every cruise ship calling in the US twice a year, unannounced.  These inspections give the "grades" that one can look for on the CDC website, and a failing score (under 75 out of 100), can cost the ship its ability to embark passengers in the US.  So, involving the USPH/CDC is a big deal for the cruise lines.

Is there a self-reporting requirement by the cruise line? If they are shutting down the pools for sanitation. Versus a noro outbreak. Or are the guests filing VSP reports the only backstop in this situation? It never occurred to me that I could or should file such a report.

[MandyMooToo]

16 minutes ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

Occasionally the life guards will act if its brought to their attention by a guest. 
 

Once MANY MANY years ago we were in the Solarium in the hot tub and a dad came in with a young boy, maybe 4 or 5, and the boy was jumping and diving into the hot tub all the while the dad was smiling. I got out and grabbed the life guard, and he got them to leave. That was way back when we actually went into the hot tub…..havent gone into the pee pool in a VERY long time.

I agree.  I think the reason they are not vigilant at the hot tubs is because people (regardless of age) are less likely to drown in one when they are full of people staring across the water at each other in a circle, lol.  The life guards are usually more aware of the pools themselves.  We have seen them remove children multiple times in pools, sadly hot tubs get ignored.

[Nolefan95]

4 hours ago, bajathree said:

I couldn't imagine paying $5000 with the pools open.

You sound fun to be around.

[Pratique]

Can I just say that I love the title of this thread.

 

I have spent some time thinking about an Icon class cruise and come to the conclusion that this Royal has crossed the line for me with this one.

 

They keep sending me marketing emails for Icon "starting at" over $1,800 (I assume for a broom closet) and I keep thinking to myself "they can keep it for someone else." 3X+ the price for a shiny new ship with closed pools. Yeah, no.

[vjmatty]

5 minutes ago, Nolefan95 said:

You sound fun to be around.

Some people don’t need to spend a lot of money to be fun 🤷🏻‍♀️

[bajathree]

10 minutes ago, Nolefan95 said:

You sound fun to be around.

Why???....because I think spending $5000 for an interior cabin on Icon is Crazy!?!?!

[chengkp75]

39 minutes ago, Pratique said:

Is there a self-reporting requirement by the cruise line? If they are shutting down the pools for sanitation. Versus a noro outbreak. Or are the guests filing VSP reports the only backstop in this situation? It never occurred to me that I could or should file such a report.

Shutting down a recreational water feature due to a fecal or vomit incident must be recorded by the ship's staff, and all remediation methods taken recorded.  If this record does not match with reports the CDC has received from the public, then there will be a violation noted.  And, if an inspector sees that the pools have been shut down for fecal/vomit incidents several days in a row, this will trigger them to ask about the policies regarding potty training, and whether they are being enforced.

 

The cruise lines rely on the ignorance of the cruising public.  In many cases, just mentioning that you know about the VSP, and what it covers, is enough to get shipboard staff to respond.

[MandyMooToo]

4 hours ago, Mapleleafforever said:

Imagine paying 5k for an inside cabin and having no pools open? 

 

4 hours ago, bajathree said:

I couldn't imagine paying $5000 with the pools open.

To be fair, we spent $2660 total,  on an interior plus, for our August sailing on Icon.  Prices have gone nuts since we booked, in my opinion, but not all those cabins were sold at such a high rate.

[Nolefan95]

18 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

Some people don’t need to spend a lot of money to be fun 🤷🏻‍♀️

Then they shouldn't be cruising. Cruising is expensive these days on RCCL.

[bonsai3s]

3 hours ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

We've been cruising Royal for 25 years and have had many memorable cruises and got to see much of the world. All on Royal ships.

 

But it seems that post Covid, when Fain left ☹️and the new guy came in, their focus changed. They seem to be trying to be more “Carnival Party Ships” now….bring your kids and let them run loose around the ship to cause trouble and buy the drink package and party. And we’ve seen this on multiple ships lately. Kids causing trouble, in groups.

 

I realize we’re older than their “Target Audience” now, and this is not the vacation we want, so were moving on from Royal. Yes, i still have some booked cruises - including Icon - which we booked just to check out the new design, but I may cancel that if this is the way it will be. 

 

Our exact sentiments.

[bonsai3s]

Another example this week onboard the Ovatoon.

 

6 of us (all strangers) were waiting for the elevator.

 

We could all smell something horribly foul...like a dead animal.

 

One gentleman joked: "I didn't do it!" We all laughed.

 

We decided to call a crew member. He found a "dirty" diaper stuffed inside the garbage canister by the elevator.

[Pratique]

15 minutes ago, Nolefan95 said:

Then they shouldn't be cruising. Cruising is expensive these days on RCCL.

Margaritaville at sea!!!

[Pratique]

25 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

Shutting down a recreational water feature due to a fecal or vomit incident must be recorded by the ship's staff, and all remediation methods taken recorded.  If this record does not match with reports the CDC has received from the public, then there will be a violation noted.  And, if an inspector sees that the pools have been shut down for fecal/vomit incidents several days in a row, this will trigger them to ask about the policies regarding potty training, and whether they are being enforced.

 

The cruise lines rely on the ignorance of the cruising public.  In many cases, just mentioning that you know about the VSP, and what it covers, is enough to get shipboard staff to respond.

Good to know. From the accounts given it sounds like they are compliant but it keeps happening because of the parents letting the kids in the pool in the first place.

[neverbeenhere]

It is pronounced POO-l.

Edited May 9 by neverbeenhere

[lovesthebeach2]

31 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

Shutting down a recreational water feature due to a fecal or vomit incident must be recorded by the ship's staff, and all remediation methods taken recorded.  If this record does not match with reports the CDC has received from the public, then there will be a violation noted.  And, if an inspector sees that the pools have been shut down for fecal/vomit incidents several days in a row, this will trigger them to ask about the policies regarding potty training, and whether they are being enforced.

 

The cruise lines rely on the ignorance of the cruising public.  In many cases, just mentioning that you know about the VSP, and what it covers, is enough to get shipboard staff to respond.

Now that i have the info needed to report these things to the Higher Ups while on the ship, I definitely will mention this to them, and follow up when we get home.

thanks again for sharing your incredible knowledge to us!

[lovesthebeach2]

13 minutes ago, bonsai3s said:

Another example this week onboard the Ovatoon.

 

6 of us (all strangers) were waiting for the elevator.

 

We could all smell something horribly foul...like a dead animal.

 

One gentleman joked: "I didn't do it!" We all laughed.

 

We decided to call a crew member. He found a "dirty" diaper stuffed inside the garbage canister by the elevator.

its posts like yours when I wish we had a choice to reply like this 🤮

[chengkp75]

26 minutes ago, Pratique said:

Good to know. From the accounts given it sounds like they are compliant but it keeps happening because of the parents letting the kids in the pool in the first place.

Yes, but it is the cruise line's responsibility to not allow non-potty trained kids in the pools.  Not being proactive in stopping this before it happens is a non-conformity in itself.  Just as it is the cruise line's responsibility to enforce the no touching food in the buffet line, and other sanitation requirements.

Edited May 9 by chengkp75

[lovesthebeach2]

5 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

Yes, but it is the cruise line's responsibility to not allow non-potty trained kids in the pools.  Not being proactive in stopping this before it happens is a non-conformity in itself.  Just as it is the cruise line's responsibility to enforce the no touching food in the buffet line, and other sanitation requirements.

Oh boy, last cruise a young Boy of about 7 came up next to me and grabbed a slice of watermelon from the brand new tray and then put it back and I nicely told him he can’t do that and the dad ran over and started to scream at me telling me I have no right to talk to his child.  I didn’t say a word to him. He scared me.

Quietly a crew member snuck in and took the whole tray away,. This is an example of why children act the way they do on ships, bad parenting. I truly wish everything in the WJ would be served to us as it was during Covid.

[vjmatty]

1 hour ago, Nolefan95 said:

Then they shouldn't be cruising. Cruising is expensive these days on RCCL.

Or just shouldn’t cruise on Icon. Doesn’t mean they aren’t fun people. 

[Nolefan95]

Just now, vjmatty said:

Or just shouldn’t cruise on Icon. Doesn’t mean they aren’t fun people. 

Agreed.

[cruiselvr04]

21 minutes ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

Oh boy, last cruise a young Boy of about 7 came up next to me and grabbed a slice of watermelon from the brand new tray and then put it back and I nicely told him he can’t do that and the dad ran over and started to scream at me telling me I have no right to talk to his child.  I didn’t say a word to him. He scared me.

Quietly a crew member snuck in and took the whole tray away,. This is an example of why children act the way they do on ships, bad parenting. I truly wish everything in the WJ would be served to us as it was during Covid.

To be fair, it’s not just kids who do this.  On Brilliance we saw a women lick all her fingers in the serving line at the buffet and then pick up tongs.  Yes we reported it.  We don’t eat often in there and that confirmed why. People can be really gross.