Hand sanitizer everywhere on Independence!

[cruisepuke]

Just of the Independence last week and I was very happy to see all the hand sanitizer out and everywhere. In the past we have noticed that it doesn't come out until a couple of days in to the cruise (or when the salt and pepper shakers start disappearing), and even then only by the dining room. The Independence hand dispensers everywhere from the very beginning. I am sure this is a huge expense, but it was noticed and very much appreciated. I don't want to see any RCCL ships end up like the Mercury :o

[cpj]

Its a lot more complacated then the hand sanitizer. Good idea but nothing is better then washing your hands in hot water. Also your personnel hygene is very important. Also this virus can get into the food supply so watch what you eat in the bacteria buffets.

[bluegirlum]

Its a lot more complacated then the hand sanitizer. Good idea but nothing is better then washing your hands in hot water. Also your personnel hygene is very important. Also this virus can get into the food supply so watch what you eat in the bacteria buffets.

 

Most of us know that you need to wash your hands, but we all know that some people simply don't do it. It's disgusting, but true. I was pleased that on Majesty there seemed to be a very strong campaign to try to get people to wash their hands and use the hand sanitizers. You can't live in fear of everything you eat, but you can be smart.

[sailingawaysoon]

Good to hear that they were out everywhere. Maybe it's me, but on our last couple cruises I always saw them out, but I was on the Freedom.

[BroncosFan2010]

Hand washing for a MINIMUM of 20 seconds with warm soapy water is much more effective at killing viruses and bacteria than hand sanitizer, although sanitizer will do in a pinch. The best thing to do is wash your hands frequently.

[unberwoob]

We were on the Freedom early February and used the hand sanitizer whenever available. But, we still all came down with the norovirus.

 

Back home I researched norovirus and found that hand sanitizers are not effective for this virus.

[aamum]

We were recently on the Mariner and there was hand sanitizer everywhere there as well (not just at the entrances to the restaurants/food service areas).

 

I do agree that it is far better to wash your hands with hot soapy water for a sufficient length of time, but at least the sanitizer is there as a back up.

[cpj]

Hand washing for a MINIMUM of 20 seconds with warm soapy water is much more effective at killing viruses and bacteria than hand sanitizer, although sanitizer will do in a pinch. The best thing to do is wash your hands frequently.

What you say is true but personnel hygene is also very important. I have been around some elderly people who reeked from smell and on a 10 day cruise wore the same clothes for 10 days, I watch one elderly gentlemen in the casino with a cold and his nose running and wiping his nose with his hand and the touching every machine. In the buffet line I have seen crew members scratch they head with the gloves on and continue to serve food. Also in the buffet line I have seen many many times the food not being kept at proper temperture and have seen many elderly not being able to use the tongs and just reaching with there hand. On our last cruise I even assited some of the elderly getting there food.

Also on the cruise with the elderly people we ended up in code red. Not sure if they had anything to do with it but there hygene sure left a lot of questions in my mind

[marci22]

Would be better if I saw, "Everyone washing their hands on IOS!"

[bluegirlum]

What you say is true but personnel hygene is also very important. I have been around some elderly people who reeked from smell and on a 10 day cruise wore the same clothes for 10 days, I watch one elderly gentlemen in the casino with a cold and his nose running and wiping his nose with his hand and the touching every machine. In the buffet line I have seen crew members scratch they head with the gloves on and continue to serve food. Also in the buffet line I have seen many many times the food not being kept at proper temperture and have seen many elderly not being able to use the tongs and just reaching with there hand. On our last cruise I even assited some of the elderly getting there food.

Also on the cruise with the elderly people we ended up in code red. Not sure if they had anything to do with it but there hygene sure left a lot of questions in my mind

 

I probably don't want to know, but what's a code red?

[cpj]

Code red is when your no longer to serve your self. Waiters must get your coffie suger and salt creme. no salt and peppers shakers on table. Wiater must do that for you. A lot of extra work for them... the buffet line is all serve to you from behind the counter

[Ashland]

I was also on the INDY last week and was pleased to see many many people using the sanitizers..

[cruisepuke]

We were on the Freedom early February and used the hand sanitizer whenever available. But, we still all came down with the norovirus.

 

Back home I researched norovirus and found that hand sanitizers are not effective for this virus.

 

To clarify my point - I like that they are keeping good hygiene on everyone's mind. I wash my hands often (OCDish :D) and I would love to see everyone else do it as well...not gonna happen, so at least it is more prevalent than I have seen in the past.

 

Family got the Noro on Westerdam a couple of years ago...it can ruin a vacation as I am sure many of you know.

[kath00]

Hand sanitizers were all over Mariner too even though there were no reports of Noro according to the staff. I think it's routine for them now. There were permanent stands by the dining room entrance with sanitizers in them.

 

All sorts of signs were everywhere that said to "wash hands for a healthy and safe vacation". I was VERY pleased to see them institute these proactive measures even if there was no problem. It's simple and easy and probably saves them a LOT of hassle in the long run...

 

Katherine

[UandMe4Ever]

In Nov. '08, on the Explorer, there was one I believe only in the Winjammer and not always full of liquid! Rarely at the entrances to the Ding Room..NCL, Howevr, didn't let you go in w/o a squirt from someone or the auto dispensers. Same in the Casino.

 

Hope Explorer starts using them in more public places, especially dining venues.

 

We're on again 11/7/10 and can't wait!

[stompy]

I was also on the INDY last week and was pleased to see many many people using the sanitizers..

 

It's nice that they are using them but the downside is when the crew is bringing more of them out and removing condiments it means the # of cases in sickbay are going up...

 

I'd rather see no sanitizers and not have anyone getting sick.

 

Another thing is that not all GI issues are viral. If you eat a lot more and different food than you are used to then your body will react accordingly.

[jmraggs]

They should post a person in every restroom to make sure that everyone washes their hands, and not just with water!:D Ok, that was a joke. Our IOS cruise last month I saw so many people just walking out of the restroom without washing or just pathetically rinsing their hands under the water without soap, yuck!

 

So that's why I use towels to open the door!;)

[depplep]

I keep thinking that what we hear about anti-bacs making use immune to treatment is a reality. Basic hygiene is a must and we all have seen people who walk out of a stall and don't use the sink.:eek:

I happened to see a man on Indy last week jogging religiously around the top deck for a long time every day and then get into the pool and sneeze repeatedly INTO THE WATER! Thanks for the germs workout guy! Sorry if I'm on a rant today, but some people are so inconsiderate and disgusting.!

[Scotty G]

Just of the Independence last week and I was very happy to see all the hand sanitizer out and everywhere. In the past we have noticed that it doesn't come out until a couple of days in to the cruise (or when the salt and pepper shakers start disappearing), and even then only by the dining room. The Independence hand dispensers everywhere from the very beginning. I am sure this is a huge expense, but it was noticed and very much appreciated. I don't want to see any RCCL ships end up like the Mercury :o

It has been this way since our cruise in October last year. It includes hand sanitizing when coming back onto the ship at ports of call. All monitored by ship's crew.

[KeywestK]

We were recently on Radiance and there were hand sanitizers everywhere. We used them constantly, washed our hands constantly, and DH and I still both got sick. It turned my stomach when I saw a woman in the bathroom by the Schooner Bar leave a stall and walk right out without washing her hands. I'm sure she never even noticed the horrified look on my face as she ran out the door.

 

Karen

[Ashland]

I keep thinking that what we hear about anti-bacs making use immune to treatment is a reality. Basic hygiene is a must and we all have seen people who walk out of a stall and don't use the sink.:eek:

I happened to see a man on Indy last week jogging religiously around the top deck for a long time every day and then get into the pool and sneeze repeatedly INTO THE WATER! Thanks for the germs workout guy! Sorry if I'm on a rant today, but some people are so inconsiderate and disgusting.!

Hmm..I was on there also and maybe it was the same guy when in the MDR that when offered a savory bite from the waiter grabbed it with his hand...Just because they can dress up doesn't mean they should be let out..Hope you enjoyed your cruise..lucky we had such good weather !!!