Noro on the Oosterdam

Just received an e-mail from HAL...hoping it was a little upgrade fairy!! Surprise for me, we are boarding the Oosterdam on 2/8 this Monday. There has been an outbreak of the noro virus and they are telling us that the ship will be delayed for boarding when they arrive in Ft. Lauderdale. The e-mail states for us to please not come to the terminal until 3:00. They state that a comprehensive sanitation program was launched and will undergo an additional disinfection in Fort Lauderdale on Monday.

Hope all is well when we board..

I'm sorry to hear that. Trust me when I say heed the advice to stay away until 3 pm. We had the same thing happen last May but we went around 1 pm. It was a gong show because it was so crowded. HAL did provide shuttles to a mall but we would have been much more comfortable sitting at the hotel by the pool. Once boarding started, it was fine, just time waiting for one's number to be called or, in our case, a wheelchair for my mother.

And, please, take all the normal precautions, and then some extra precautions, while on the cruise. You don't want to be infected or be in Code Red for the entire cruise.

Regular readers guessed as much when we saw on a "Live from ..." thread that the current cruise had gone to Code Red.

Great that Holland America let you know to delay arrival so you won't be wasting time sitting around waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and ....

Have a good time on your cruise.

Just received an e-mail from HAL...hoping it was a little upgrade fairy!! Surprise for me, we are boarding the Oosterdam on 2/8 this Monday. There has been an outbreak of the noro virus and they are telling us that the ship will be delayed for boarding when they arrive in Ft. Lauderdale. The e-mail states for us to please not come to the terminal until 3:00. They state that a comprehensive sanitation program was launched and will undergo an additional disinfection in Fort Lauderdale on Monday.

 

Hope all is well when we board..

Sure hope they disinfect well, we board 2/29 and I don't want it again. Had it and it is something you never want to get. I take Clorox wipes and spray Lysol and do our cabin. Don't forget the phone, remote controller, door knobs, all counter tops and wash---wash those hands. I carry hand wash in my pocket/purse and use it constantly. If you go into the casino, BE CAREFUL..... wash---wash with the sanitizer. Salt & pepper shakes, wash.

I still believe someone in our cabin had it, found a note with the doctor's phone number and hours written on it. Have a safe trip.

For all the possible negatives of being the first cruise post drydock.... this is not one... boarding in April.

Dennis

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

Regular readers guessed as much when we saw on a "Live from ..." thread that the current cruise had gone to Code Red.

Great that Holland America let you know to delay arrival so you won't be wasting time sitting around waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and ....

 

Have a good time on your cruise.

Scrolled back and saw the post from "Live", I too am following the thread just hadn't the time to scroll back a page. I am glad that HAL sent the e-mail, we are staying at the Embassy Suites and I will be happy to sit on a nice lounger and read a book.

I do take precautions when travelling starting right when we leave home. You should see me on the plane:)Always wipe the room down but will be extra diligent on this cruise. Glad Dave and wife are going ok.

Sure hope they disinfect well, we board 2/29 and I don't want it again. Had it and it is something you never want to get. I take Clorox wipes and spray Lysol and do our cabin. Don't forget the phone, remote controller, door knobs, all counter tops and wash---wash those hands. I carry hand wash in my pocket/purse and use it constantly. If you go into the casino, BE CAREFUL..... wash---wash with the sanitizer. Salt & pepper shakes, wash.

 

I still believe someone in our cabin had it, found a note with the doctor's phone number and hours written on it. Have a safe trip.

All that is important but most important is to keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, mouth...... any portal that can give entry into your body if touched with 'dirty hands'.

Sorry to hear there is an outbreak and hope they get control of it fast.

Unfortunately this happens from time to time.

Keith

Retiremustang has a Live thread going and he reported about 3 days ago that the Noro was on their ship.

I understand that a Princess ship sailing out of Sydney also has the Noro virus.

Sure hope they disinfect well, we board 2/29 and I don't want it again. Had it and it is something you never want to get. I take Clorox wipes and spray Lysol and do our cabin. Don't forget the phone, remote controller, door knobs, all counter tops and wash---wash those hands. I carry hand wash in my pocket/purse and use it constantly. If you go into the casino, BE CAREFUL..... wash---wash with the sanitizer. Salt & pepper shakes, wash.

 

I still believe someone in our cabin had it, found a note with the doctor's phone number and hours written on it. Have a safe trip.

Definitely wipe down surfaces with a Clorox based wipe.

Do not rely on the sanitizing hand gel to clean your hands, it is ineffective against Noro per the CDC.

Vigorous hand washing with hot water and soap is required.

Definitely wipe down surfaces with a Clorox based wipe.

Do not rely on the sanitizing hand gel to clean your hands, it is ineffective against Noro per the CDC.

Vigorous hand washing with hot water and soap is required.

Yes, ^^ this !

I know that the use of sanitizer on the ships does not prevent Noro - but, every little bit helps! Time and time again we observed people ignoring the machines. For the most part it is adults on board yet they choose to be oblivious. And, yes we saw cruise staff returning from the ports also ignoring the sanitizers. When will we ever learn? We were on a cruise in late November that was almost ruined for us because of Noro. Keeping my fingers crossed that it never happens to us - but so much depends on others.

I know that the use of sanitizer on the ships does not prevent Noro - but, every little bit helps! Time and time again we observed people ignoring the machines. For the most part it is adults on board yet they choose to be oblivious. And, yes we saw cruise staff returning from the ports also ignoring the sanitizers. When will we ever learn? We were on a cruise in late November that was almost ruined for us because of Noro. Keeping my fingers crossed that it never happens to us - but so much depends on others.

Absolutely it helps! Any additional sanitization is a good idea.

Regular readers guessed as much when we saw on a "Live from ..." thread that the current cruise had gone to Code Red.

Great that Holland America let you know to delay arrival so you won't be wasting time sitting around waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and ....

 

Have a good time on your cruise.

And Dave was smart in saying he'll do a shore excursion in FLL as likely the ship would undergo a deep clean and they wouldn't be allowed back onboard for hours.

I know that the use of sanitizer on the ships does not prevent Noro - but, every little bit helps! Time and time again we observed people ignoring the machines. For the most part it is adults on board yet they choose to be oblivious. And, yes we saw cruise staff returning from the ports also ignoring the sanitizers. When will we ever learn? We were on a cruise in late November that was almost ruined for us because of Noro. Keeping my fingers crossed that it never happens to us - but so much depends on others.

On Coral Princess last February, I could not get over the woman who was ranting about the request to reduce exposure to illness by using the toilet in the staterooms only, instead of the public restrooms around the ship. She just went on and on, stating that she would use whichever toilet she wanted.

Fine. Get sick. Stay away from the rest of us!

Common sense really isn't all that common, it seems.

Sure hope they disinfect well, we board 2/29 and I don't want it again. Had it and it is something you never want to get. I take Clorox wipes and spray Lysol and do our cabin. Don't forget the phone, remote controller, door knobs, all counter tops and wash---wash those hands. I carry hand wash in my pocket/purse and use it constantly. If you go into the casino, BE CAREFUL..... wash---wash with the sanitizer. Salt & pepper shakes, wash.

 

I still believe someone in our cabin had it, found a note with the doctor's phone number and hours written on it. Have a safe trip.

IMO HAL disinfects and protects the passengers far better than Oceania. We were on the cruise that gigianne referenced and what I saw raised my eyebrows on O big time. If I have to deal with Noro (and 3 times is enough), I'd rather be on HAL.

Similar situation on Veendam Panama cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale Feb.,2014.We used Hal's bus hotel to terminal and they delayed departure over two hours. When we arrived at terminal CDC had not cleared the ship. Another wait in the crowded terminal. Unfortunately, Noro issue returned and we were on Code Red for over half the cruise. We did not become ill. Hope you have better luck.

Captain reported we are down to 11 sick pax but 7 more since last night. All but 4 must have recovered during the day today, we had 18 yesterday.

Last Spring we received the same email from HAL telling us to stay away until later. I did not think it would take as long as they said, so we went earlier than they told us too and I was WRONG! HAL did as good a job as they could, passing out water and snacks and checking on everyone as much as possible, but it was still a bit of a zoo. So, listen to what they are saying!

If your plans are flexible and HAL offers you a deal to take a different cruise, I would consider it. Cruising on a sick ship is a bit of a hassle, even if you do not come down with it. If you do catch it, it certainly is no fun!

I know that the use of sanitizer on the ships does not prevent Noro - but, every little bit helps! Time and time again we observed people ignoring the machines. For the most part it is adults on board yet they choose to be oblivious. And, yes we saw cruise staff returning from the ports also ignoring the sanitizers. When will we ever learn? We were on a cruise in late November that was almost ruined for us because of Noro. Keeping my fingers crossed that it never happens to us - but so much depends on others.

You don't know why people ignore them and there may be a completely valid reason. I know in some cases it's an allergy or sensitivity to one or more of the ingredients in the solution.

You don't know why people ignore them and there may be a completely valid reason. I know in some cases it's an allergy or sensitivity to one or more of the ingredients in the solution.

This is definitely true. And some ignore the gel because it is of limited value.

Take a minute and watch people use the gel, most squirt a drop onto the palm of one hand, then they clap their hands together for a couple seconds, then they flip their hands over and dab a little on the other side. People have a false sense of security that this solves infectious disease issues., Hand gel use is a far cry from washing hands with soap and water. I read on another cruise critic forum that Royal Caribbean is planning sink stations outside the dining venues so people can actually wash their hands.

Some cruise lines talk endlessly about "using hand sanitizer to wash hands" but this is somewhat disingenuous as the gel is ineffective against Noro.

If you see how little that little "gel squirter" gives you, you know you do not have enough on your hands to be effective anyway...same for the little dab will do you that the fellow gives you in the MDR sometimes, on shore, etc... ALWAYS use more than it dispenses.

You don't know why people ignore them and there may be a completely valid reason. I know in some cases it's an allergy or sensitivity to one or more of the ingredients in the solution.

This is definitely true. And some ignore the gel because it is of limited value.

Take a minute and watch people use the gel, most squirt a drop onto the palm of one hand, then they clap their hands together for a couple seconds, then they flip their hands over and dab a little on the other side. People have a false sense of security that this solves infectious disease issues., Hand gel use is a far cry from washing hands with soap and water. I read on another cruise critic forum that Royal Caribbean is planning sink stations outside the dining venues so people can actually wash their hands.

Some cruise lines talk endlessly about "using hand sanitizer to wash hands" but this is somewhat disingenuous as the gel is ineffective against Noro.

HAL's "Purell" dries out my hands. They were actually bleeding by day 3 of one of our cruises from the constant use of it. Ended up in the infirmary get a special medicated cream.

I have to use a walker, try putting that gel on a hand, spreading it around and hanging onto a walker and moving so as to not block traffic.

I noticed that there has been mention about people getting e-mails telling them not to report to the terminal until such and such a time.

We always get to the embarkation port a few days early. I no longer take a laptop nor do I use the hotel's computers to check e-mails. If we left for the pier at our normal time (around 10:30) via taxi, and we are turned away, is HAL going to pay for our round trip taxi back to the hotel plus tip, lunch and then another taxi back to the pier? Anyone have this happen to them?

I noticed that there has been mention about people getting e-mails telling them not to report to the terminal until such and such a time.

We always get to the embarkation port a few days early. I no longer take a laptop nor do I use the hotel's computers to check e-mails. If we left for the pier at our normal time (around 10:30) via taxi, and we are turned away, is HAL going to pay for our round trip taxi back to the hotel plus tip, lunch and then another taxi back to the pier? Anyone have this happen to them?

They did not turn us away, rather they informed us of the delay and let us in if we still wanted to. They did have a bus to the mall if we wanted to go, but it was too much of a hassle we figured, so we just waited it out, reading and visiting with new friends.

Next time this happens, we will wait at the hotel.

To answer your question - I seriously doubt that HAL will pay for your taxis or lunch. They did provide us with water and snacks in the terminal (FLL).