ICON of the poop

[MandyMooToo]

14 minutes ago, cruiselvr04 said:

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. 

And this is the biggest reason that I hate the buffets.  I love the options but the idea of people being gross AF and touching things without washing their hands is 🤢 Adult or child, it is disgusting.

[Tapi]

5 hours ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

I may get flamed for this, but IMO Disney Cruises are a totally different class of guests. 

What I noticed about sailing on Disney (compared to RCCL) is that their staff is much more willing to enforce the rules, but they still manage to do so with a smile and top notch customer service. That seems to keep their passenger's behavior curved.

 

About Disney passengers being a totally different class of guests, they're definitely different! The main difference that I noticed is that they are insanely, rabidly, loyal to that brand, to the point that they may even get confrontational if you're not as much of a fan as they are. If Disney didn't employ the well-trained staff that they have to keep their passengers under control, I'm sure that it would be a free for all with that many kids onboard.

Edited May 9 by Tapi

[island lady]

2 hours ago, MandyMooToo said:

And this is the biggest reason that I hate the buffets.  I love the options but the idea of people being gross AF and touching things without washing their hands is 🤢 Adult or child, it is disgusting.

 

Simple solution for me.   I "washy washy" on the way in.  Pick and choose at the endless buffet, then head back to one of the hand stations for a re-sanitize.  I have seen others with little bottles of the stuff, but it is so simple just to hit one of those machines before you sit down to pick up that French Fry. 😉 😄 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 9 by island lady

[Cherful59]

5 hours ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

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

I didn’t either.  Thank you for asking.

5 hours 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.

Thank you for this information.

6 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Simple solution for me.   I "washy washy" on the way in.  Pick and choose at the endless buffet, then head back to one of the hand stations for a re-sanitize.  I have seen others with little bottles of the stuff, but it is so simple just to hit one of those machines before you sit down to pick up that French Fry. 😉 😄 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I do this also!

[shandryl]

9 hours ago, island lady said:

Bacteria soup.  This senior would not even think of sticking a toe in that water.  

 

Case in point:  "Bubba" has his six beers and never leaves the hot tub.  Ummm...ewww.  

Just one example, other than the "fecal teabags" in the pool.  🤢

I know exactly what you mean, its beyond disgusting for sure! 🤢

[Cruise a holic]

16 hours 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.

Sometimes it is a passenger who is smelly.  Brought only a carry on and thinks he/she can use clothes over and over again without laundering them.  Please pay for baggage with airline and send your clothes out to laundry and dry clean often.  People sweat and stink.

[BND]

15 hours ago, MandyMooToo said:

And this is the biggest reason that I hate the buffets.  I love the options but the idea of people being gross AF and touching things without washing their hands is 🤢 Adult or child, it is disgusting.

And, this I never get. I don't even lick my fingers in my own home when I'm alone.  When people serve cake and do this between slices, I refuse a piece.   It's amazing how many people think they can't make others sick and that it's rude of anyone to think so.  

[Engineroom Snipe]

 

I was on the Vision of the Seas this past April and the ONE pool available for all ages was shutdown due to a similar incident late morning on a sea day.

 

Imagine this on an August Cruise where kids sail free only having ONE pool area. When that pool area gets shut down for any reason, game over. Too many young people with so much pent-up energy with nothing else to do except a rock climbing wall (which may not be available at that specific time).

 

Nothing else for children to do onboard but shuffleboard and the rock climbing wall.

 

As anyone could imagine, the four general public hot tubs were packed during this time. Literally, if someone lowered a body into the tubs, someone would be forced out by displacement.

 

On the Vision, I would much rather do the free steam and sauna rooms multiple times a day before using the pools. I enjoy swimming and being in the water, but I could not move or turn around without trying to avoid children and adults. I was not trying to swim at the time. I was just trying to walk slowly from end to end for a bit of water exercise.

 

I find a good place in the shade and just chill, watch the ocean go by, sip a cold drink, maybe do some word puzzles, and appreciate not having to do anything at all.

 

Pools and hot tubs can be fun under the right circumstances but these were heavily overloaded.

[dragontrainer]

14 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Simple solution for me.   I "washy washy" on the way in.  Pick and choose at the endless buffet, then head back to one of the hand stations for a re-sanitize.  I have seen others with little bottles of the stuff, but it is so simple just to hit one of those machines before you sit down to pick up that French Fry. 😉 😄 

 

My wife is an epidemiologist and worked in infectious diseases and a government entity that tracked down the sources of foodborne illness outbreaks.  The community utensils at a buffet are a significant source of issues and we sanitize after every trip (we carry our own).  I like all-you-can-eat buffets, but she will almost never eat at one based on her work experience.

 

Another source that is largely overlooked but very similar to the community utensils are menus, almost everywhere.  It's been instilled in me, imagine your reaction to someone licking their fingers and touching the serving spoon before you; you should have a similar reaction to the menu you were just ordering from (whether on a cruise ship or not).  Obviously, people touch menus and buffet utensils every day without having an issue, but I'm willing to take the extra precaution. 

[Donsyb]

18 hours ago, Nolefan95 said:

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

They’re saying they can cruise in a different RC ship for less. So why shouldn’t they do that if they wish? Not everyone is desperate to sail the newest and biggest at any cost - doesn’t make them less “fun”.

[Donsyb]

Someone was moaning about this on FB and were 100% blaming Royal for it.  They claimed they knew someone “high up” at RC and got a FCC for the amount of their cruise because of it, but most people called that as BS 🤷🏼‍♀️

[time4u2go]

37 minutes ago, dragontrainer said:

My wife is an epidemiologist and worked in infectious diseases and a government entity that tracked down the sources of foodborne illness outbreaks.  The community utensils at a buffet are a significant source of issues and we sanitize after every trip (we carry our own).  I like all-you-can-eat buffets, but she will almost never eat at one based on her work experience.

 

Another source that is largely overlooked but very similar to the community utensils are menus, almost everywhere.  It's been instilled in me, imagine your reaction to someone licking their fingers and touching the serving spoon before you; you should have a similar reaction to the menu you were just ordering from (whether on a cruise ship or not).  Obviously, people touch menus and buffet utensils every day without having an issue, but I'm willing to take the extra precaution. 

Also chairs.  People grab the armrests and edges of chairs to scoot them up to the table.

[BND]

40 minutes ago, dragontrainer said:

My wife is an epidemiologist and worked in infectious diseases and a government entity that tracked down the sources of foodborne illness outbreaks.  The community utensils at a buffet are a significant source of issues and we sanitize after every trip (we carry our own).  I like all-you-can-eat buffets, but she will almost never eat at one based on her work experience.

 

Another source that is largely overlooked but very similar to the community utensils are menus, almost everywhere.  It's been instilled in me, imagine your reaction to someone licking their fingers and touching the serving spoon before you; you should have a similar reaction to the menu you were just ordering from (whether on a cruise ship or not).  Obviously, people touch menus and buffet utensils every day without having an issue, but I'm willing to take the extra precaution. 

Most places we eat at wipe menus off after each customer.  The fact is, while these are significant sources, most healthy people won't get sick.  There's usually not enough of the microorganisms on things to infect someone, but it can happen on occasion. Poor food handling is a bigger issue overall and the cruise lines have that down.  We've caught a few colds over the years and at least one time someone admitted several days into the cruise that they had a cold when they boarded and they had shook my DH's hand at dinner the first night.  And, my DH caught a cold about 3 days in. 

[island lady]

19 minutes ago, BND said:

Most places we eat at wipe menus off after each customer.  The fact is, while these are significant sources, most healthy people won't get sick.  There's usually not enough of the microorganisms on things to infect someone, but it can happen on occasion. Poor food handling is a bigger issue overall and the cruise lines have that down.  We've caught a few colds over the years and at least one time someone admitted several days into the cruise that they had a cold when they boarded and they had shook my DH's hand at dinner the first night.  And, my DH caught a cold about 3 days in. 

 

Remember during Covid era...all the menus were on scan code.  🙂 

[chengkp75]

And, really, even if you contaminate your hands from the menu, if you don't eat with your fingers, you break the transmission chain.  Knife and fork for french fries, burgers, and pizza, if you are concerned.

[Southern Dan]

Don’t forget Snickers Bars!!!

[Cruise a holic]

3 hours ago, BND said:

Most places we eat at wipe menus off after each customer.  The fact is, while these are significant sources, most healthy people won't get sick.  There's usually not enough of the microorganisms on things to infect someone, but it can happen on occasion. Poor food handling is a bigger issue overall and the cruise lines have that down.  We've caught a few colds over the years and at least one time someone admitted several days into the cruise that they had a cold when they boarded and they had shook my DH's hand at dinner the first night.  And, my DH caught a cold about 3 days in. 

I am also not happy with a "bread basket" on the table- do they discard unused bread or refill with additional bread and give to another table?  My mother hated the possibility of this and always broke each piece of bread in the basket so nobody could be use the bread for another table- didn't help her however!

[BND]

10 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

I am also not happy with a "bread basket" on the table- do they discard unused bread or refill with additional bread and give to another table?  My mother hated the possibility of this and always broke each piece of bread in the basket so nobody could be use the bread for another table- didn't help her however!

Yes, if you pay attention you will see what they do with uneaten bread.  It is thrown out when they clear tables.  Tearing each piece is a weird thing to do.

Edited May 10 by BND

[Cruising89143]

On 5/9/2024 at 7:31 AM, island lady said:

Bacteria soup.  This senior would not even think of sticking a toe in that water.  

 

Case in point:  "Bubba" has his six beers and never leaves the hot tub.  Ummm...ewww.  

Just one example, other than the "fecal teabags" in the pool.  🤢

 

This!!!!!!!!! In 38 years, we have never stepped foot in a pool or hot tub. That includes hotels as well.

[DennysDad]

8 hours ago, Donsyb said:

Someone was moaning about this on FB and were 100% blaming Royal for it.  They claimed they knew someone “high up” at RC and got a FCC for the amount of their cruise because of it, but most people called that as BS 🤷🏼‍♀️

I got a $200 FCC, bottle of champagne, bottle of white wine. It pays to complain daily. 

[ChutChut]

On 5/9/2024 at 1:47 PM, island lady said:

 

And no casinos.  😉 

I've been on two Disney cruises (Fantasy & Magic) and, trust me, there are insufferable people (both kid and adults who act like kids) on that cruise line, too. Kids running up and down the halls, slamming doors, hogging the pools, etc. Just because people pay, on average, much more for their Disney cruise fare doesn't mean they possess more class. 

[Donsyb]

48 minutes ago, DennysDad said:

I got a $200 FCC, bottle of champagne, bottle of white wine. It pays to complain daily. 

Not quite an FCC for the full value of your cruise though, which is what they claimed they got!

[Engineroom Snipe]

I have gone to the Loyal Ambassador with specific complaints about my cruise. Not to make noise, not to get credits, just to first person report my observations.

 

The most I was offered later that evening was a bottle of wine which I refused.

 

My critique was not to get something more, it was just feedback.

 

Two days later, I was offered much more than a bottle of wine which I refused again.

 

I sensed during the last day of the cruise, panic started to ensue. I was directly contacted by my cabin attendant that it was urgent to contact the food service director about my concerns.

 

That was in April, 2022, during the opening after covid.

 

Crickets ever since. The ships are sailing full at record pricing.

 

I doubt anyone is getting any type of this compensation in the current cruise environment.

 

Cruises are running at 107% capacity.

 

Money talks, and the rest of us can walk if we do not want to pay the current fares.

[DennysDad]

41 minutes ago, Donsyb said:

Not quite an FCC for the full value of your cruise though, which is what they claimed they got!

I tried. LOL. I think persistence plays a factor.

[Nebr.cruiser]

As a former lifeguard I am often appalled at the number of parents who stick a life jacket, or worse, arm floaties on a child, a cute inflatable toy or pool noodle and figure they are safe and can be ignored watched casually. This is especially true for any child under 5 and/or Non swimmers.  

 

Even approved life jackets cannot prevent some awful accidents.  Parents should always be right with their children within an arm's reach with eyes on the child. Children can drown with almost no noise--often just slip beneath the surface.

 

Also, swim diapers don't keep everything out of the water!

Edited May 10 by Nebr.cruiser