Hand Sanitizer??

[Bridgette1912]

My sister-in-law just returned from a cruise aboard a Princess ship and she was telling me that they had hand sanitizer all over the place. Especially before going into the buffet area and dining rooms. Has anyone else noticed this on any Carnival ships? I guess they are really enforcing everyone to use it. Which is a great idea. We were on a Royal Caribbean ship last year, and just saw lots of signs in the bathroom about washing your hands, but no hand sanitizer. I always have my kids use hand sanitizer faithfully on cruises but I think this is a real good idea that some ships are supplying it. I wonder how many other ships are doing this also??

[GoinCruisin]

My sister-in-law just returned from a cruise aboard a Princess ship and she was telling me that they had hand sanitizer all over the place. Especially before going into the buffet area and dining rooms. Has anyone else noticed this on any Carnival ships? I guess they are really enforcing everyone to use it. Which is a great idea. We were on a Royal Caribbean ship last year, and just saw lots of signs in the bathroom about washing your hands, but no hand sanitizer. I always have my kids use hand sanitizer faithfully on cruises but I think this is a real good idea that some ships are supplying it. I wonder how many other ships are doing this also??

 

 

See, that bothers me a bit... I think that gives a false sense of security and many people will only use that... when hand sanitizer hasn't been proven effective against Norovirus... Now, I haven't seen hand sanitizer (I don't look, I wash my hands LOL), but Carnival has notices everywhere, and constantly on the TV, to wash your hands... it is emphasized on the TV on how to help prevent the spread of virus. I don't think it is a bad idea to have sanitizer, as long as they are being responsible in telling people that sanitizer alone is not enough.

[Cruisin Dave]

On my RCL cruise in February, hand sanitizers were positioned at the entrances to the buffet. I thought it was a good idea.

[LHP]

I do not recall seeing them at the Carnival buffets....but to be honest, I don't do buffets.

 

We always take our own hand sanitizer and keep it on the vanity. The boys also know it does not replace washing the hands. Since our youngest has to use all railings when walking and going up and down stairs (not to mention the 4 days spent in the arcade) we have been very blessed not to get sick on any of the 3 Noro cruises we have been on.

[SandyW]

Part of the problem of any buffet line is that everyone touches the spoons or utensils used to get the food out of the dish. Then some of the food is finger food eaten by hand. So in that sense...I think the hand santizer is a good idea. If everyone washed their hands before coming to dinner you might accomplish the same thing.

 

I've not seen any hand santizer on Carnival ships. They do have the little papers to open the bathroom doors with so you don't have to touch the door handles.

 

Just make sure children don't eat/lick off the hand santizer...it's dangerous when ingested.

[Stircrzy]

Part of the problem of any buffet line is that everyone touches the spoons or utensils used to get the food out of the dish. Then some of the food is finger food eaten by hand. So in that sense...I think the hand santizer is a good idea. If everyone washed their hands before coming to dinner you might accomplish the same thing.

 

I've not seen any hand santizer on Carnival ships. They do have the little papers to open the bathroom doors with so you don't have to touch the door handles.

 

Just make sure children don't eat/lick off the hand santizer...it's dangerous when ingested.

 

There was a recent TV report of a 4 year old who got "drunk" on sanitizer used at day care or somewhere...it's about 67% alcohol.

 

At least you don't have to smuggle it...:D

[Cruisin Dave]

Aways take a couple small bottles of sanitizer when going into port. You can't be to careful these days.

[Mrs. Connie]

It's not just dangerous- it is downright toxic! Those sanitizers are basically rubbing alcohol in a gel form. RUBBING ALCOHOL. It is NOT the same as grain alcohol that you drink (Everclear, I've heard, makes a dandy topical disinfectant.) Thank you for the warning that they have bottles of the icky stuff out & about. I cannot stand the smell of it, or the smell of people using it. I really cannot breathe around solvents. I'll be sure to steer clear. If you're looking for me, I'll be in the bathroom with the (hopefully nontoxic) soap & water. :-)

[LPast50]

I agree with Mrs Connie. If a child licks their hand after using "sanatizer", they can DIE! Remember, they now come in "scents" and a small child will "taste" it because it smells good. You can check this out under Snopes dot com medical

[DocF]

Most hand sanitizer is jellied isopropyl alcohol. The stuff I carry with us is 70% ethyl alcohol, which is, at least, the basis of a good, if weird tasting martini:eek:. The hand sanitizers will kill bacteria. They do nothing about viruses. Quite honestly, if I didn't have hundreds of packets of the stuff left over from maintenance kits for copiers, I wouldn't even bother with it.

 

Washing one's hands for at least 45 seconds with soap will kill most viruses and most bacteria.

 

Doc

[cwestbrook]

On Princess last year they had sanitizer mounted on the wall at each entrance. A girl was also standing there with another bottle and if you didn't get some from the wall mounted dispenser, she squirted some in your hand. They were pretty strict about it.

 

Imagine my amazement this year when there was no hand sanitizer to be found on Carnival. We were told it isn't effective on Norovirus. I do wish I had taken some and used it. I ended up with a cold the last couple of days.

 

The casino is would have been another good place to use it.

[bakechef]

NCL had them at the entrance to every eating venue, even the dining room, and asked you to use them. I don't use the stuff everyday, but I do on cruises. Even though they are not known to kill norovirus, it is a little comfort knowing that the person who handled the utensils ahead of you at the buffet used hand sanitizer, because who knows if they washed their hands after using the restroom, their are tons of bacteria other than the norovirus that you can pick up.

 

MAC

[MrPete]

Being they don't kill virus', I never understand why anyone puts them out.

[NAMVET]

I had read that the hand sanitizers would kill most germs. However, they said that the "dead germs" would still be on your hands and any that were still active would still be there. A good hand washingwith soap and water will kill and rinse away all the germs. Good rule would be to use hand sanitizer and wash hands at the same time.

[BillnBobbi]

See, that bothers me a bit... I think that gives a false sense of security and many people will only use that... when hand sanitizer hasn't been proven effective against Norovirus... Now, I haven't seen hand sanitizer (I don't look, I wash my hands LOL), but Carnival has notices everywhere, and constantly on the TV, to wash your hands... it is emphasized on the TV on how to help prevent the spread of virus. I don't think it is a bad idea to have sanitizer, as long as they are being responsible in telling people that sanitizer alone is not enough.

 

I recall that there were the sanitizer wipes in those individual packets at the beginning of the line in the buffet. Even if they are not as adequate as washing ones hands, they are still better than using nothing at all, esp. if the person is coming directly from the Lido deck after swimming etc.

 

We also take small bottles of the stuff with us when we go out on excursions.

It came in handy on the Isle of Capri, where the toilets don't have any seats on them. (!!!) Yes that is correct, one of the toniest islands in the world has no seats on its public toilets (and they charge you 50 eurocents to boot!!).

 

Even if not effective against Norovirus, it is protective for the transmission of E.coli, which can be just as bad if not worse.

 

BnB

[ucLena]

This has me thinking... my girl has a disorder in which she eats nonfood items... How well do the crew watch the children in the camps on this do u think? I mean I forwarned them before booking what all is going on with my girl. At school I have to bring in the spray version so she doesnt ingest alot of it. I am on the fence as to trust my special needs girl with people who cant watch her every move, but they promised if I warn them on sign up that they will assign her someone. Got me thinking of just bringing her to the camp and staying with her during special times (ice cream eating contest etc). Whats ur thoughts on how well they watch after the kids? And has anyone brought their special needs child into their care and felt ok with it?

[Radical Ruth]

I was on RCL line last fall and they had hand sanitizer dispensers all over. In April of this year, I was on Carnival and they didn't have dispensers and I never saw the wipes. I just carry the individual wipe packets in my purse when I don't have access to wash my hands. How many times did your mother tell you to, "wash your hands"??? It's just commen sense.

 

Ruth

[Stircrzy]

This has me thinking... my girl has a disorder in which she eats nonfood items... How well do the crew watch the children in the camps on this do u think? I mean I forwarned them before booking what all is going on with my girl. At school I have to bring in the spray version so she doesnt ingest alot of it. I am on the fence as to trust my special needs girl with people who cant watch her every move, but they promised if I warn them on sign up that they will assign her someone. Got me thinking of just bringing her to the camp and staying with her during special times (ice cream eating contest etc). Whats ur thoughts on how well they watch after the kids? And has anyone brought their special needs child into their care and felt ok with it?

 

You might want to start a new thread with this question...

 

There are several people who post here who have special needs children. They could give you their experiences and advice on cruising with your special needs child.

 

They may not see THIS thread though...

[IKE]

We have experienced the "Hand Sanitizers" on Princess Ships and also on our March Sailing of HAL'S "Noordam. We think its a great idea to try and keep the Norovirus down. If you feel it is not good for you, then don't use it. Many people out there use it as We do even at home going to supermarkets etc. I always have one in my purse. Many public bathroom don't even have hot water and soap and at least I have my hand sanitizer with me. Every little bit helps.......IKE

[CruzVinnieCruz]

I agree with everyone you stated that hand sanitizers do nothing to kill a virus. Washing your hands does not kill the norovirus either. Frequent washing of the hands is effective in preventing the spread of the virus because it simple removes the virus from your hands and puts it down the sink. That's why the little tissues are placed in the bathroom to open the door because the moment you touch an infected surface it's back on your hands. Placing sanitizers all over the ship may give some a false sense of security and lessen the feeling for the need to effectively wash their hands.

[Chigirlcruzin]

See, that bothers me a bit... I think that gives a false sense of security and many people will only use that... when hand sanitizer hasn't been proven effective against Norovirus... Now, I haven't seen hand sanitizer (I don't look, I wash my hands LOL), but Carnival has notices everywhere, and constantly on the TV, to wash your hands... it is emphasized on the TV on how to help prevent the spread of virus. I don't think it is a bad idea to have sanitizer, as long as they are being responsible in telling people that sanitizer alone is not enough.

 

Are we sharing a brain this week? Once again, you said it perfectly.

[pink roses]

I have never seen the santitizers on the Carnival ships but have heard of them on other ships.

We also carry them with us.

[Thirsty Cruiser]

I agree with everyone you stated that hand sanitizers do nothing to kill a virus.

 

Not entirely true. Alcohol has been shown to kill most viruses in many studies. It is important, however, to follow proper procedures. The following excerpt, published by Amy Simonne, assistant professor at the University of Florida, discusses the value of sanitizer -- I use it myself in conjunction with soap and water -- how many railings and handles are there between my cabin and the dining room? :confused: Hope this is of value:

 

Can a Hand Sanitizer (alcohol gel) Substitute for Hand Washing?

The majority of alcohol-based sanitizers in the United States contain ethanol or isopropanol or a combination of these two products. Most brands also contain a moisturizer to minimize irritation to the skin. Alcohol works immediately and effectively to kill bacteria and most viruses. The antimicrobial activity of alcohol is its ability to change proteins in microorganisms. Proteins and fats on soiled hands will decrease the effectiveness of alcohol as a sanitizer. Alcohol solutions containing 60-95% alcohol are the most effective. Higher concentrations are less potent, because proteins are not denatured easily without water. Alcohol gels work by stripping away the outer layer of oil on the skin, thereby destroying any "transient" microorganisms present on the surface of the hands. After use, re-growth of bacteria on the skin tends to occur slowly, thereby effectively keeping "residual" micro-flora that reside in deeper layers of skin from coming to the surface. To be most effective, a dime-size dollop of alcohol gel should be rubbed into the hands for 30 seconds. If hands are dry after only 10-15 seconds, it is likely that not enough sanitizer was used. Hand sanitizers should primarily be used only as an optional follow-up to traditional hand washing with soap and water, except in situations where soap and water are not available. In those instances, use of an alcohol gel is certainly better than nothing at all.

[Bagbklyn]

Here is a good way of telling is to see how many outbreaks are on carnival versus other ships. Even though many people bring the Norovirus on board the amount of people that are ill should depict a good picture of what is going on, on the ship. I think Carnival realizes that the hand sanitizers provides little in deterring the viruses. From personal experience the hand sanitizers does taste so good with the finger foods on the cruises. Had to deal with them on princess and on NCL. I don't think I will miss them on my upcoming cruise.

[lhall85917]

Even if they don't kill norovirus and might be basically ineffective, perhaps they help to serve as a physical reminder that cruisers need to wash hands more often because these viruses can be such a big issue on a ship. I like seeing them and wondered several times last week where they were on the Miracle.