Boarding in Code Red

[lakeboji]

I would appreciate your feed back...It's my understanding that a ship remains in a Code Red situation until they are 3 days without reaching the magic 3%. So, if a ship is Code Red 2 days before debarkation, they dock, everything is cleaned and steralized before embarking again, and they board and sail in Code Red, how long will they stay in Code Red on the new sailing? Although we have never been ill on any cruise, there is always the first time, and I question how reasonable it is to board a ship that is set to sail under a Code Red.

[DAllenTCY]

Didn't you just answer your own question?

Seems like 3 days would do it.

David

[hammybee]

The overwhelming majority of passengers never report to sick call , with symptoms, even during the worst outbreaks. The odds are in your favor, you will not become sick.

[AAL]

We sailed on the Veendam on Sunday, 12/28, and Code Red restrictions were lifted on Wednesday, 12/31. I figured it was better to board a ship that has just been disinfected than to unknowingly board a ship with an outbreak.

 

Code Red was not terribly inconvenient. Being somewhat germ-phobic, I liked being served in the Lido rather than using serving spoons that many other people touched. And being served bread and rolls at dinner was better for my waistline than the breadbasket on the table.

 

On Wednesday, everything reappeared: stacks of pool towels, cloth towels in the restrooms, salt and pepper, fruit basket in the stateroom, magazines in the library, free access to library books, basketballs, etc. It is amazing how much stuff can be touched by many people.

[Sundagger]

I was on the Oosterdam in January of 2008. It had been in Code Red on the previous cruise, underwent the special cleaning at the port (we couldn't board until 4PM), and remained in Code Red throughout the 7 days I was on her. On neither cruise did the illness rate reach the 3% level to be included in the CDC website listing. So it had been in Code Red for at least 2 cruises (14 days), but with a relatively low level of gastrointestinal illness.

 

One person on the cruise with me gave the cruise an absolutely horrible rating, primarily due to the inconvenience of Code Red. Others of us replied that it was a good cruise, with some inconveniences due to the Code Red precautions.

[lulubell]

How do you even know the ship's on RED it's not like they actually tell you,right?

[Sundagger]

How do you even know the ship's on RED it's not like they actually tell you,right?

 

It's VERY obvious that Code Red precautions are being taken - and, yes, they provide lots of information about the situation. The information stresses the importance of washing hands and not touching surfaces that could be contaminated. They remove numerous items from your cabin for disinfection and there are special procedures for eating at the buffet and dining room.

 

When I was en route to the Oosterdam last year, I received an email from HAL, via my TA, that boarding would be delayed due to special cleaning being done on the ship between cruises.

[SF49erfan]

It is very obvious that a ship is in Code Red. You are served everything in the Lido. There is not any salt, pepper, sugar, rolls, or butter on the dining room table. The sanitizer machines are in from of every store and there is usually someone outside to make sure you use it before entering. The library is locked down, no magazines or newspapers, Daily Quize or Saduku. We have been on Code Red on two different ship. It's not horrible, but you know it's there. The poor staff, who work so hard already are put on etra duty.

 

 

Terry

[PCruzer]

We boarded the Ryndam last February under Code Red. It lasted 3 days.

[world~citizen]

How do you even know the ship's on RED it's not like they actually tell you,right?

 

There is a whole lot more cleaning going on and overall, a great deal more work for the staff. With the workload, crew can get a little grumpy.

 

You are washing your hands endlessly. In some cruises I have seen salt and pepper shakers removed from the tables lest you touch something that someone else has infected.

 

Funny how the casinos and slot machines never shut down.:eek:

 

In short, when you are sailing under code red, you know it.

[world~citizen]

It is very obvious that a ship is in Code Red. You are served everything in the Lido. There is not any salt, pepper, sugar, rolls, or butter on the dining room table. The sanitizer machines are in from of every store and there is usually someone outside to make sure you use it before entering. The library is locked down, no magazines or newspapers, Daily Quize or Saduku. We have been on Code Red on two different ship. It's not horrible, but you know it's there. The poor staff, who work so hard already are put on etra duty.

 

 

Terry

 

I think I washed a layer and a half off my skin the first week.:eek:

[fuzzywuzzy]

There is a whole lot more cleaning going on and overall, a great deal more work for the staff. With the workload, crew can get a little grumpy.

 

You are washing your hands endlessly. In some cruises I have seen salt and pepper shakers removed from the tables lest you touch something that someone else has infected.

 

Funny how the casinos and slot machines never shut down.:eek:

 

In short, when you are sailing under code red, you know it.

 

We were in Code Red on the Maasdam the first few days of our sailing from Jan. 9th. You are right, the crew hand you everything in the dining room and buffet from rolls to salt and pepper and all your drinks from the buffet area. It makes everything a bit slower. But I would rather do that then contract the illness. After a few days, we were in the clear and the alert was lifted. Phew. You aren't even supposed to touch anything in the stores either. Small towels were taken out of the bathrooms as well and replaced with paper.

[knitlady037]

One tip I have for sailing in code red. If you like condiments with your meal, ask for a few extra and take them with you for your next meals. Saves time and effort for the crew if they don't have to serve you everything.

[duck tune]

DH and I were on the same Oosterdam cruise in January 2008 with Sundagger and agree with everthing that he has posted. We were notified in advance that the ship would sail under Code Red and given clear directions about what to expect. If I remember correctly passengers were given the option of not going on the cruise and rebooking if anyone was concerned about getting ill and no penalties

 

We have also been on the Ryndam under Code Red (the 10 day cruise was reduced to 8 days) and the crew in both cases worked very hard to keep everyone safe and healthy. I never saw any crew member grumpy or complaining but did see some cruisers who were not happy with the limitations and complaining. I know that we all look forward to our cruises with great expectations but the fact is there is no way to predict or control a Code Red and rules have to be followed. Unfortunately the practice of good handwashing and use of the sanitizers is totally ignored by some and thus a virus gets spread. There is nothing better than correct handwashing every day to reduce the risk of illness whether on a cruise or at home.