Coral Princess currently down with a nasty case of the noro illness

[Goldryder]

Final figures from the CDC regarding this episode...

 

# Cruise Line: Princess Cruises

# Cruise Ship: Coral Princess

# Voyage Dates: 2/3-2/13

# Number of ill passengers out of total number of passengers at the end of the voyage: 251 of 1996 (12.8%)

# Number of ill crew out of total number of crew at the end of the voyage: 19 of 885 (2.1%)

# Predominant symptoms: diarrhea and vomiting

# Actions: In response to the outbreak, Princess Cruises and the crew aboard the ship took the following actions:

 

* increased cleaning and disinfection procedures;

* is sending daily updates to CDC and will do so until the number of ill people returns to expected levels;

* notified onboard passengers of the illness;

* notified oncoming passengers of the illness;

* provided shore side staff to assist with cleaning and disinfection between the time of disembarkation and embarkation of the next voyage;

* lengthen the time between disembarkation and embarkation in order to allow more time for cleaning and disinfection;

* staffed the ship with senior public health manager to assist with analysis and prevention;

* contracted with a company to clean and disinfect port terminal and transportation services;

* collected stool specimens for analysis.

 

# On February 11th, VSP staff boarded the ship Ocho Rios, Jamaica to conduct an onboard environmental health assessment. Princess Cruises will continue to send daily updates to VSP until the number of ill people returns to expected levels.

[Debe7ing]

We are aboard the Emerald Princess right now and were notified yesterday that we evidently have an outbreak as well. Princess has been wonderful in working double overtime cleaning, trying to ensure that we are all minimized with the possibility of contamination, but from what I understand there are enough that we have moved to "red alert" status...which tells me that the idots that refuse the second squirt of hand sanatizer before they are handed their plate or reach for to serve themselves vs waiting to be served by a gloved employee are the reasons that these types of thing spread.

 

We always bring lysol wipes, and wipe down the door handles, remote control, phone, counter tops, night stands in our room before we start unpacking....the flu and viruses are alive in well everywhere, and I honestly think that a little common sense goes a long way, but that having been said we are all subject daily where we live to coming in contact with this type of virus...sailing or grabbing that supermarket cart at the local grocery store.

 

We have found between lots of hand sanitizers and a few drinks of the day (medicinal only of course) we have been kept sanatized from this nasty little bugger! :) Not going to let this ruin a wonderful cruise for sure!! :)

[G'ma]

Funny, the CDC says that hand sanitizer IS effective, but you MUST wash your hands after every third use of the sanitizer at a miminum, or then it quits being effective. That is how we do it in the clinic.

 

Not really:

 

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/pub/norovirus/Norovirus.htm

 

Hand sanitizers are somewhat effective against bacteria....but is not effective at all against most viruses including noro. Relying on these products simply gives a sense of well-being. Soap and water, frequently used, keeping hands away from face, mouth and nose, staying away from those exhibiting symptoms are the best ways to stay healthy.

[Queenston]

We are aboard the Emerald Princess right now and were notified yesterday that we evidently have an outbreak as well. Princess has been wonderful in working double overtime cleaning, trying to ensure that we are all minimized with the possibility of contamination, but from what I understand there are enough that we have moved to "red alert" status...which tells me that the idots that refuse the second squirt of hand sanatizer before they are handed their plate or reach for to serve themselves vs waiting to be served by a gloved employee are the reasons that these types of thing spread.

 

We always bring lysol wipes, and wipe down the door handles, remote control, phone, counter tops, night stands in our room before we start unpacking....the flu and viruses are alive in well everywhere, and I honestly think that a little common sense goes a long way, but that having been said we are all subject daily where we live to coming in contact with this type of virus...sailing or grabbing that supermarket cart at the local grocery store.

 

We have found between lots of hand sanitizers and a few drinks of the day (medicinal only of course) we have been kept sanatized from this nasty little bugger! :) Not going to let this ruin a wonderful cruise for sure!! :)

 

I think your suggestion re "internal sanitization" deserves further study--perhaps a note to the CDC might be in order?

[itoedoc]

We are leaving on the Coral Princess on Feb 23 to the Panama Canal. Reading the threads regarding this virus is very upsetting but of course fore warned is fore armed.

Every cruise we take we always grumble at the sheet we have to sign regarding having had symptoms etc. We always remark that people lie. Who is going to admit they had a stomach flu or worse as they are boarding their fully paid for cruise? No one.

It seems to us that these people who lie should be fined or worse for causing distress among their fellow passengers. Perhaps they should be banned from cruising altogether.

Jean and Ivan:mad:

[Katie333]

Britt/Itoe - I hope the situation gets under control for your current and upcoming cruise. Having just been through it on the Coral I know it can be uncomfortable.

 

The best thing I can suggest is to abide by the rules and hope that other passengers do the same. As grandmato4 said, the problem on our cruise seemed to be passengers not following quarantine restrictions, and other passengers ignoring the other warnings. My friends and I starting making a game of the 'no touchie' rule and counted how many times we saw other passengers touching buttons, handrails and trying to grab for items in the buffet etc. It was about 80% of the time that people weren't following the precautions.

 

My DH had some nausea one night and the doctor gave him a clean bill of health for what was a temporary problem. I think many people were scared to visit the doctor for fear of quarantine. Despite this, the doctor and nurses appeared run off their feet. :(

[Kallen]

There was very little humour to be found in the situation on the Coral except for one particularly rough night at sea. We were having gale force 9 winds and 7 foot seas, making the walking a bit difficult, even for those who hadn't over-indulged in the drink of the day. When the Captain came on to make the nightly Noro status report, he started by saying that people should be careful walking and to make sure to hang on to the railings. Then he proceeded with the update on the health situation and told everyone to avoid the railings, elevator buttons, etc. DH and I looked at each other and burst out laughing. If you had unsure footing you had a choice between a broken hip from falling or getting the virus from the railings.:confused: Interestingly, the one place that there was no hand sanitizer was the casino! However, I washed well when I left and made sure not to touch my face - or anyone else's, for that matter, and added a dollop of hand sanitizer for some extra oomph. It didn't help me win any money at the machines but I was fortunate enough not to get the virus either.

[Go-Bucks!]

I agree with the captain: Don't touch the stairway rails or rails in the elevators or hallways! To keep your balance while going up or down the stairs, rest your forearm lightly on the rails. Just think how many people have been sliding their hands down them. Of course, if the ship is rocking 'n rollin', then maybe you'd better hang on. Probably best to go back to the cabin, wash your hands well, and just lie down.

 

I'm always careful to not touch things in the public areas or the buffet. Actually, I try to stay away from the buffet (more because of the food than the germs, though). ;)

[Go-Bucks!]

Not sure what happens in US hospitals but in the UK there are hand sanitizers everywhere in ours, and hospital staff are supposed to use them before attending to any patient.

Clearly UK health authorities believe they work so why not Princess?

 

 

In the hospital where I work (U.S.A.), hand sanitizer is only used for times when you can't wash hands immediately or for between washings. A thorough soap and water handwashing is the best. And before going in to surgery, we do a 5 min. real hand scrubbing.

[Nancyquilts]

We are leaving on the Coral Princess on Feb 23 to the Panama Canal. Reading the threads regarding this virus is very upsetting but of course fore warned is fore armed.

Every cruise we take we always grumble at the sheet we have to sign regarding having had symptoms etc. We always remark that people lie. Who is going to admit they had a stomach flu or worse as they are boarding their fully paid for cruise? No one.

It seems to us that these people who lie should be fined or worse for causing distress among their fellow passengers. Perhaps they should be banned from cruising altogether.

Jean and Ivan:mad:

And if they had the consideration to stay in their cabins until they felt well, they wouldn't spread it so much.

[CaliMar]

If in doubt as to whether you have noro or just ate/drank something, heck, self quarantine!!!. Stay in your cabin and decide what course to take (eg. call the med staff ) but don't go galavanting around the darn ship! At least have some consideration for your fellow passengers. I've said it before but I'll never ever in a million years understand why sick people feel/felt it was ok to not remain in quarantine.

[ltthib]

We were also on the Feb.3-13 Coral Canal trip. There were two crew members on the shuttle to pier two after getting off in FLL. They said that there were passengers put off in Aruba and Jamaica for not complying with quarantine rules. Don't know if it was true or not but the Captain had announced several times that those passengers not staying in their staterooms when so instructed would be put ashore.

[Britter16]

Captain announced last night for the second consecutive day less than 1% illness rate so restrictions are lifted in the buffet. Not holding my breath for the chef's table but maybe next cruise... Still having a great time and much better weather.:)

[smoosh21]

Captain announced last night for the second consecutive day less than 1% illness rate so restrictions are lifted in the buffet. Not holding my breath for the chef's table but maybe next cruise... Still having a great time and much better weather.:)

 

I am so glad to hear this, both for your sailing, and my upcoming sailing. I do hope you get to enjoy Chefs table. I know that I want to do one also. But I am very glad to see restrictions lifted in buffet. I think that having to deal with no self service would get very annoying very fast.

[LisaH]

If you become sick with this virus during a cruise and need IV fluids or a doctor's care, who pays for it? If your vacation is ruined due to the fault of the cruise line not maintaining safe and sanitary conditions, are they not required to provide the cruiser with medical care if it is needed? I ask this question not in an accusatory manner, but only to know what to expect in the future.

 

I do hope they are able to rid the ship of the virus so people can enjoy their cruise without the fear of being sick.

 

My husband and I were sick with noro on our Island Princess cruise in Alaska in July 2007. We were not charged anything for the medical care and got refunds on the shore excursions missed. While we did miss some of our cruise, it was still a great cruise. Fortunately we had done the land tour first and that enhanced what we missed. This gives us a good excuse to go back and do the ports we missed.

 

We did not expect any compensation over and above the refund for our shore excursions missed. It all worked out.

[LisaH]

As jhannah stated, "It's we passengers who spread it". We were on a cruise when the Noro was going around and one of the people seated at our table for lunch said he was supposed to be in quarantine because of it but he came to lunch anyway. Some people have no consideration for others. We use the hand sanitizer and wash our hands frequently and still had the Noro twice on cruises. We were not charged for medical treatment and one cruise line gave us $200 onboard credit. We were quarantined in our cabin for 24 hours and then given a medical release. I don't know about all cruise lines and whether they charge. I can only give you info about our experiences.

Jimanne1

 

This was our experience ( or close to it). We received medical care at no cost but did not get an OBC - that would have been a nice surprise.

[Debe7ing]

We are leaving on the Coral Princess on Feb 23 to the Panama Canal. Reading the threads regarding this virus is very upsetting but of course fore warned is fore armed.

Every cruise we take we always grumble at the sheet we have to sign regarding having had symptoms etc. We always remark that people lie. Who is going to admit they had a stomach flu or worse as they are boarding their fully paid for cruise? No one.

It seems to us that these people who lie should be fined or worse for causing distress among their fellow passengers. Perhaps they should be banned from cruising altogether.

Jean and Ivan:mad:

 

I think you are right about this...but I also feel that there are some who are exposed to a bug during their flight to the cruise and are asymptomatic until after aboard as well. Those flights full of coughing/sneezing/etc can't help much....:(

[jeaniem]

We were also on the Coral Noro cruise and for us it really put a damper on use of the public facilities. I too was upset that passingers who were sick did not did not follow the medical staff instructions and put the rest of us at risk. How rude and self centered these people must be. A big question--does anyone know why cabin mates of those that were sick with the virus were not quanteened also. It seems to me they would be carriers (hands, feet , shoes etc. ) of the virus and spread it around the ship even tho they are not physically sick.

[Latitude 20]

Some of the things we do (call me paranoid, but we haven't been sick yet):

 

1. Don't use the salt shakers.

2. Don't touch the elevator buttons (I use my finger covered by my blouse.)

3. Wipe down your cabin during the week. Germs get transferred by the cabin stewards who are cleaning multiple cabins. Even use those Clorox wipes on the toilet (all parts), and especially door handles and light switches.

4. Don't drink water that is left in a pitcher in the Horizon Court. Drink bottled water.

5. Wash your hands right after eating every meal.

6. Avoid using the heavily used public bathrooms and if you must, do not touch anything! Use your blouse-covered-hand to open doors, lock the bathroom door and use your foot to flush the toilet.

7. In the public bathrooms, do not turn off the bathroom water faucet with your bare hand. People who had dirty hands have been turning it on. Your clean hand will be touching germs. Use a paper towel whenever possible.

8. Bring antibacterial soap. We always bring 2 pumps full of it. I know it doesn't kill a lot of germs, but the peace-of-mind is worth it. Who wants to use a slimmy soap bar that's been sitting in water that has been used for other dirty hands and possibly sprayed with who knows what kind of cleaners by the cabin steward? bleck.

 

Any other tips anyone?

 

Most of your other tips are common sense but using your foot to flush the toilet?!?

 

First of all, I can't even figure out how one would do it on a moving ship but more importantly how disgusting is that? You transfer the germs from the bottom of your shoes onto surfaces that other people touch?!? Do you use your shoes to touch anything else?

 

Eeew--maybe I'm sheltered but I've never heard of such a thing. Certainly not good public hygiene.

[sultan_sfo]

Always, use some clean toilet paper so your hands do not touch the flush handle. Then throw the paper into the toilet!

 

Most of your other tips are common sense but using your foot to flush the toilet?!?

...

[Some1]

Of course using your foot to flush the toilet is common sense!... especially knowing that people have touched the handle after their hand has been "down there" :eek:

[princess8]

We're boarding the Coral on Friday. Any advice on how to keep the nasty "noro" away? We have our hand sanitizer and will scrub down our cabin with Clorox wipes before we leave, but any other tips? Thanks.

 

Hi Elle,

 

Today is February 21st, so I believe you have two days left before you reach FL.

 

I would be very interested in hearing from you about the dreaded "Noro" when you get home. How bad was it?

[Queenston]

Hi Elle,

 

Today is February 21st, so I believe you have two days left before you reach FL.

 

I would be very interested in hearing from you about the dreaded "Noro" when you get home. How bad was it?

 

I am also interested to see how it went--we came off the Coral on February 3rd, and I am hoping that by now this nonsense is all over! It is so distressing when you are on a noro ship--we did this on the Island in January of 2006, and although we enjoyed ourselves, it just wasn't the same as this year's cruise when none of that was going on.

[Putterdude]

We were on the Jan 4-20 sailing of the Coral and I believe the virus was in evidence then ....but was not rampant.

[Latitude 20]

Always, use some clean toilet paper so your hands do not touch the flush handle. Then throw the paper into the toilet!

 

Of course using your foot to flush the toilet is common sense!... especially knowing that people have touched the handle after their hand has been "down there" :eek:

 

Sultan_SFO is always a voice of common sense--using some paper to avoid the germy flusher seems reasonable. Using your shoe does not.

 

Assuming most people use the toilet paper, their hands "down there" have to be much cleaner than their shoes! Yes, flushing with your shoe may make you safer but it poses greater danger to the public hygiene (which is what we're trying to avoid with Noro).