Medication left in cabin

We store our bags under the bed so good luck cleaning under them during a cruise.

Should be done before boarding.

Should be done before boarding.

True, but it was missed or they didn't do it at all.

I do need to point out that biologically speaking, touch screens on phones are fairly nasty.

I set my iPhone on my nightstand and put my meds on it. They can't roll off because it's in an Otterbox case. I do it at home, and I use my phone on cruises to play Jeopardy, check Patters and our account on Princess, and use it for wifi, so it's handy for taking meds. If none of that applies, then go with a Tupperware midget. That's what DH uses.

I do need to point out that biologically speaking, touch screens on phones are fairly nasty.

I was thinking the same thing. Perhaps place a clean tissue or napkin over it first?

I was thinking the same thing. Perhaps place a clean tissue or napkin over it first?

Yes, we all know about the transfer of germs aboard ships is mainly from people's poor hygiene behaviours and then other people touching things like hand rails that are infected.:(

I found a used soap bar and hair conditioner packet in the bathroom this time around.

But to be honest, I didn't care. Room stewards have so much going on. I don't understand why only one steward to a block of rooms. Makes no sense and is too much for one person to handle. I always feel so bad and try my best to clean up after ourselves and leave as little work for the steward as possible. We also tip them generously at the end of the trip.

When we were on Holland America, our steward had an "assistant" with him at all times and they tagged team to clean their block of rooms. The service was so much better on Holland America in my opinion when it came to cleanliness. The only reason we don't go on it any longer is because everything seemed to dead after 8pm... no pun intended. :D

However, I do agree that the pill in this case was a different situation, considering there was a toddler in the room. I would recommend they get in the routine of inspecting their roomupon arrival before they let the little ones start crawling all over the place. Just for piece of mind.Mistakes and oversights happen unfortunately. Would hate to have read about a toddler getting sick over ingesting someone else's medication. Glad the baby was ok and you found it right away.

Some ships have stewards that service 10 rooms each where on another line the Steward had an assistant and they had 24 rooms to do together (this is what our room stewards told us). Differing ships have different staffing levels so they may have more passengers per staff member but no matter what, the staff work hard and have long hours each day with very little time off. While I expect a certain amount of service for my cruise, I also tend to give the staff a bit of leeway on some issues.

No matter what class of cabin I stay in I always do my own hygiene clean when i enter for the first time. I bring exam gloves and a great disinfectant wipe called Dispatch-it even kills Norovirus,Hepatitis,HIV,MRSA-you name it.

It has a very high bleach concentration so that is why it works so well. Sadly, the cruise lines do not understand that their Purell hand santizer gels do NOTHNG to abort the Noro bug. But is actually effective against many other pathogens.

Sadly, the cruise lines do not understand that their Purell hand santizer gels do NOTHNG to abort the Noro bug. But is actually effective against many other pathogens.

Of course they do. Its also for those that use the toilet and walk straight out of the bathroom without washing their hands. Is it completely effective? No. But at least they offer it. There are always those that will never wash their hands after using the toilet and heading straight to the buffet line. Disgusting. :mad:

Good tip about checking behind the drawers. Just take out the bottom one and see what has collected back there. We found a formal night photo once, and other times, swim suit bottoms and underwear. The photo was dropped off at the purser's desk (where they probably tossed it), and the clothing was put into the trash.

We also clean the cabin thoroughly since it's never up to our standards of cleanliness. We clean shelves, drawers, bathroom fixtures including glass shelves, countertops, phone and TV remote, refrigerator, light switches, and those 3 little shelves at the side of the desk. This is what our Clorox wipes looked like as we tossed them into the wastebasket! Ruby Princess - beginning of 49 South America cruise this past January 31.

Yuk!

Double yuk!! That is a definite eyeopener for me! We use clorox wipes and go over the phone, door handles, thermostat,remote, etc. Have never gone over drawers or shelves. Maybe we should!

To be realistic, it takes 3 hours to do a full sani-clean of a standard hotel room. If a steward needed to do that, it would take them 42 hours for turnover. You have to assume they have cleaned what they can and take any additional precautions yourself (honestly I don't bother with the clorox wipes unless there are reports of significant noro prior cruise. I'm still far more likely to get it from a stairway rail or elevator button)

To be realistic, it takes 3 hours to do a full sani-clean of a standard hotel room. If a steward needed to do that, it would take them 42 hours for turnover. You have to assume they have cleaned what they can and take any additional precautions yourself (honestly I don't bother with the clorox wipes unless there are reports of significant noro prior cruise. I'm still far more likely to get it from a stairway rail or elevator button)

I will still continue to clean my cabin due to the amount of DIRT I find. I feel better touching and handling things when I know someone has done a good clean up, even if that person has to be me...

Perhaps we should start wearing surgical gloves when we first check in for our cruise through to after we collect our bags at the end. Not to say however that one pair should last the entire cruise.;)

I didn't know you were a doctor as well.

I'm not - but the Doctor on my ship reports to me.

He tells me that the average passenger he sees in our clinic is taking 18 different medications.

Maybe it's just me, but 18 different medicines (on average) spells "Over-medicated".

Bruce, I "only" take 13 (that includes my inhalers for asthma and COPD), so I guess I'm under-medicated?

Bruce, I "only" take 13 (that includes my inhalers for asthma and COPD), so I guess I'm under-medicated?

Rule of thumb is that anyone is at a risk of a medication interaction if they are taking 7 or more medications. The statistics for people taking their medications correctly range from 43 to 52%. Numbers worsen with increasing number of meds and age. Yes, I am a medical professional. (Nurse practitioner who works ED and as hospitalist)

I am also a bit creeped out by the reports of lack of cleanliness and foreign objects found in the cabins. Guess I will need to bring my Lysol wipes.

I found socks twice and once a thong!!!! These were all on different cruise lines.

So that's where my thong went; I'd been wondering.

I'm not - but the Doctor on my ship reports to me.

 

He tells me that the average passenger he sees in our clinic is taking 18 different medications.

 

Maybe it's just me, but 18 different medicines (on average) spells "Over-medicated".

It's not just you. Journals such as The Lancet and U.S. Health News also advise that as many as 1 in 4 seniors in developed countries are over- medicated, despite lower instances of some serious and chronic conditions like heart disease.

Any Dr wanting me to take medication gets the Why do I need it, and how do I take it questions. They soon learn if I ASK for a certain, difficult to swallow tablet to be prescribed, something's upset my asthma VERY thoroughly. I've been lucky to have a good GP who has instructed me on the signs and symptoms that MIGHT indicate possible trouble, and when to head for the clinic as fast as I can. Usually, I just need new prescriptions-prefer to see the Dr so I can be monitored and just take the absolute minimum medications deemed medically essential. I didn't query the Specialist when he prescribed a Pethidine drip after major Cancer surgery, but I only needed it overnight-to his delight at my recovery response. I always carry a full set of newly prescribed medications with me, so I know I have adequate supplies with me, and they travel in my handbag, which is either under the airline seat in front of me, or sitting squashed beside me with my arm through the strap so I have it within grabbing range. With a bad family medical history, I'm very wary and watch like a hawk for any new symptoms-I caught Osteoporosis BEFORE I actually fell and broke anything, so very lucky to be keeping my independence!

Bruce, I "only" take 13 (that includes my inhalers for asthma and COPD), so I guess I'm under-medicated?

I guess it means you are below average.

I guess it means you are below average.

Below average - that's been the story of my life :(.

I am feeling very underprivileged about not finding guckie things in our cabin...well if you don't count the bra we found in a drawer once. But seriously stuff get left and found some of the best 4 & 5* hotels. Its no big deal, call the steward, or housekeeping it will be looked after. If you want to wipe down your cabin with Lysol or Clorox wipes, do so....it your home for the next__days, frankly we don't bother and never have come down with anything other then colds which we probably picked up in the theatre or elevators.

Good tip about checking behind the drawers. Just take out the bottom one and see what has collected back there. We found a formal night photo once, and other times, swim suit bottoms and underwear. The photo was dropped off at the purser's desk (where they probably tossed it), and the clothing was put into the trash.

 

We also clean the cabin thoroughly since it's never up to our standards of cleanliness. We clean shelves, drawers, bathroom fixtures including glass shelves, countertops, phone and TV remote, refrigerator, light switches, and those 3 little shelves at the side of the desk. This is what our Clorox wipes looked like as we tossed them into the wastebasket! Ruby Princess - beginning of 49 South America cruise this past January 31.

 

I wipe down the cover over the ceiling ventilation fan and it's even worse. No, these cabins are not "clean" to the same degree I clean at home.