***Mariner of the Seas - Statement From Royal Caribbean

[LauraS]

Royal Caribbean has asked that I post the following statement with regard to the Jan 16th sailing of Mariner of the Seas. This statement was prepared by Royal Caribbean and has not been altered in any way by Cruise Critic.

 

"

Mariner of the Seas Statement

 

 

 

The January 16, seven-night sailing of Mariner of the Seas had an elevated number people experiencing a gastrointestinal illness. Over the course of the sailing approximately 276 of 3,465 guests and 27 of 1,190 crew members experienced the illness, thought to be a Norovirus brought onboard by a guest previously exposed to it. Those affected by the short-lived illness were treated and responded well to over the counter medication.

 

 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Noroviruses affects 23 million Americans every year, and an estimated 300 million people globally every year. The only illness that is more prevalent is the common cold.

 

 

Royal Caribbean takes all health issues seriously and took numerous proactive steps to maintain the high health standards onboard Mariner of the Seas. These steps included sending three additional doctors and an additional nurse to assist the ship’s medical team. A short list of the procedures implemented onboard Mariner of the Seas includes:

 

 

· Implementing a three-stage illness prevention program. The program’s action plan outlines specific, heightened sanitation procedures for crew members, from the captain to housekeepers.

 

· Implementing enhanced cleaning procedures and protocols, as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

· Using special cleaning products and disinfectants to clean throughout our ships.

 

· Conducting special cleaning of all “high-touch” areas on the ship, including, but not limited to, countertops, restroom and vanity surfaces, door handles, railings and grab bars, exercise equipment, TV remote controls, light switches, elevator buttons, and computer keyboards.

 

 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention works very closely with the cruise industry. The standards by which the cruise industry is held for sanitation are the highest in the world.

 

 

Mariner of the Seas was sailing in the Western Caribbean, visiting Labadee, Hispaniola; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Georgetown, Cayman Islands; and Cozumel, Mexico. The ship’s cruise ended as scheduled on Sunday, January 23, at Port Canaveral, Florida."

 

 

# # # # # # #

[bpear1600]

Over the counter medication? LOMOTIL, the narcotic? Also the shot I got in my butt? I think not. :)

 

I spent an hour or more a day in the Fitness Center when I wasn't sick or quarantined and never once saw anyone cleaning anything. In fact, most people we spoke to thought it was very unusual in this day and age to have such a facility without bottles of disinfectant to spray on equipment between users. NCL ships do. People sweat profusely and cleaning equipment once or twice a day accomplishes nothing.

 

Sorry, but RCI is just trying to cover its' butt IMHO.

[Mongato1]

Sorry to hear that you had the virus. How sick were you? How did the RC staff handle customer illness and inconvenience. Any offers of reimbursement or discounts for you? We are sailing in March and are concerned, but don't want to be an alarmist either. Any advice? :confused:

 

Over the counter medication? LOMOTIL, the narcotic? Also the shot I got in my butt? I think not. :)

 

I spent an hour or more a day in the Fitness Center when I wasn't sick or quarantined and never once saw anyone cleaning anything. In fact, most people we spoke to thought it was very unusual in this day and age to have such a facility without bottles of disinfectant to spray on equipment between users. NCL ships do. People sweat profusely and cleaning equipment once or twice a day accomplishes nothing.

 

Sorry, but RCI is just trying to cover its' butt IMHO.

[jgoga]

Sorry, but RCI is just trying to cover its' butt IMHO.

 

This I agree with 100%. RCI is simply just trying to cover their butt just like any other company would try. They keep this up and they will end up claiming bankruptcy. I hope not but they are going in that direction.:D

 

John

[Jghendrick24]

I was on this cruise. I have to disagree with you all. I thought RCI responded well. I saw a lot of cleaning being done. How do you know that they weren't doing it at night? Also, if you were treated in the infirmary, you should have been quarantined to your cabin for 72 hours. If you were, how do you know if they were cleaning or not?

 

Unfortunately, this is something you take a chance on when you are in a confined area with over 4,000 people. While RCI did clean, there were a lot of passengers that were not practicing good infection control.

 

My advice is, bring over the counter meds with you so you don't have to go to the infirmary. Practice good infection control by washing your hand constantly. don't touch railings. If it happens, there's not much you can do. I don't think RCI should offer compensation. This was not their fault. This was not a bad food issue. I know it's disappointing to pay all of that money and then get sick. But, you weren't sick for the entire cruise and to spend your time complaining about it means you ruin the rest of your vacation.

 

By the way, having a balcony cabin is a must if you think you will get sick. At least you still get fresh air and sunshine!

[bpear1600]

Sorry to hear that you had the virus. How sick were you? How did the RC staff handle customer illness and inconvenience. Any offers of reimbursement or discounts for you? We are sailing in March and are concerned, but don't want to be an alarmist either. Any advice? :confused:

 

RCI was very nice to us but there was much confusion and miscommunication. I was very sick with vomiting and diarrhea from 11 PM Monday night until 5-6 AM Tuesday every 15-30 minutes and a couple of more times after I saw the doctor around 9 AM. He gave me a shot of something for the nausea and LOMOTIL for diarrhea. The latter knocked me out and I slept for 24 hours on and off. We were confined to cabin for 72 hours after the doctor visit but we weren't told until Wednesday night. I was so sick I had no desire to go anywhere but home.

 

I'm supposed to get 3 days credit and my wife 2 on a future cruise. We got free movies (saw one) and free sodas and water for which I got a credit of $4.60. The biggest problem was we were on a restricted diet and they few of the items on board.

 

There are several threads about this. I am trying not to respond anymore unless I see something that's false or misleading. I'm fine now and the cruise is just a bad memory at this point. You can't win 'em all.

[bpear1600]

I was on this cruise. I have to disagree with you all. I thought RCI responded well. I saw a lot of cleaning being done. How do you know that they weren't doing it at night? Also, if you were treated in the infirmary, you should have been quarantined to your cabin for 72 hours. If you were, how do you know if they were cleaning or not?

!

 

If you are aiming this at me I really don't care whether you disagree or not. If you read my post you'd see I said I spent an hour or more a day in the Fitness Center WHEN I WASN'T SICK OR QUARANTINED. I also said it was odd there were no spray bottles of disinfectant in the FC for users to clean the equipment. It's pretty much standard at most facilities.

 

Bottom line. With all due respect I'm not interested in your advice. I have not had an episode like this in over 20 years and the last one was on a cruise ship too. Get the drift.

[HorrorFan]

bpear1600...I would like to start out by saying that I really am sorry you got sick on your cruise. You sound bitter and you have every right to be. I would very disappointed and pissed if I had to spend half my vacation sick.

Having said that, I don't think the blame lays with RCI. In fact, I know it doesn't. If they treated you badly while you were sick, then ok, they are to blame for that. But its not thier fault you got sick in the first place. If you look at the news you will see that the norovirus is popping up everywhere this winter. Just today I heard on the news that several upscale resorts in the Domincan Rep. also had huge problems in the past few weeks. In fact thousands of people were sick.

It is a fact that this virus is extremely contagious and while there are measures that can be taken to 'help' control it, if an outbreak occurs lots of people will get sick regardless. They can't even control this virus in hospitals.

So I personally think it is generous of RCI to give you some credit.

No flames please...just my opinion.

[bpear1600]

bpear1600...I would like to start out by saying that I really am sorry you got sick on your cruise. You sound bitter and you have every right to be. I would very disappointed and pissed if I had to spend half my vacation sick.

.

 

I am not upset with RCI. I asked for no compensation and expected none. I may not even use it.

 

I'm just getting a little tired of people that know not of what they speak. I was there. My opinions are completely true as they applied to me whether some people like it or not.

 

RCI was very nice to us. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Nobody's bitter here.

[eddeb]

Hey Folks,

 

Puking and vomiting on a moving ship at Sea

 

is NOT fun.

 

Been there,

 

Done that. (with two kids.)

 

So sorry to hear about the sick cruisers.

 

There was a recent show on Dateline

 

about gyms in the USA.

 

They took samples from the Gym equipment

 

all over a city in the USA.

 

They found ecoli, feces, strep, and on and on...

 

I was a very alarming report, as many healthy

 

people go to work out, and don't know they are being

 

exposed....

 

The report also said that most folks would not become

 

ill from the exposure... (if they are healthy and

 

have a very strong immune system.)

 

Not very comforting.

 

Anyway, in closing, lets not "flame" each other,

 

Lets try to get along... :)

 

May your Seas Be Flat...

 

And your Bellies Be fat.

 

The Moore Gang :)

Land'O'Lakes

 

10-16-05

#9218

 

Hope everyone is feeling better. :)

[joyfulnoise]

Thank you LauraS for posting the RCI statement. My husband and I are cruising on the Mariner Feb. 6-13. I was wondering if we still need to take extra precautions while on this particular ship. Has anyone gotten sick on the ship during this weeks cruise ??? Is there any way to find out? I plan on bringing lots of disinfectant, but would like to know if we should do more to protect ourselves.......or if it is even necessary now. Hopefully they have it under control now, but you never know. If anyone has any info on the current condition of the ship I would appreciate it very much if you would respond. Thanks in advance :)

[ChelM]

Joyfulnoise;

My husband and I were on Mariner on the fateful cruise of 1/16 and were lucky enough not to get sick. As with anytime that I am in a crowd and utilizing things that will be used by crowds, we are careful to wash our hands and be mindful of germs and how they are spread. As much as I am sorry for those that were sick, I thought RCI was very aggressive in keeping the ship as sterile as possible. I plan on more cruises with this line and have no hesitancy in doing so. I hope you have an enjoyable and sickness free trip.

[ria]

What is the difference between the flu and the norovirus? Sounds like the same symptoms? Geez, going to the grocery store can be a "combat zone". Bad luck is bad luck... Keep washing those hands, remember sing the ABC song while washing hands long enougn to kill germs....

 

Ria

[bUU]

As much as I am sorry for those that were sick, I thought RCI was very aggressive in keeping the ship as sterile as possible.

Thanks for this reassurance!

[ga-shel]

Yes the Norwalk and the flu have the same systoms, as they are related according to the article CC had up the other day.

 

The best protection as always is wash you hands, before you eat and after you use the restroom, and after you touch a public object, hand rails door knobs, etc... DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE. Carry around a travel size bottle of hand sanitizer if you are really worried. Using comon sense and keeping your hands washed will fight a good majority of it.

 

Others also advise not to eat or drink after anyone.

 

Just use GOOD hygiene and remember to wash your hands.

 

Here is a copy of what they post before you enter our friends room who is getting a stem cell transplant for Cancer.

 

Rules for Hand Washing:

 

• Hand washing is the very best way to prevent the spread of infections.
  
• Everyone must was their hands before entering Tommy’s room. You should also wash your hands after coming into the room.
  
• You must wash your hands after you touch him.
  
• You must also wash your hands after touching your face, cups, trash can, door knobs.
  
• There are two ways to wash your hands that must be followed.
  

*First before you come in outside his room will be Alcohol cleaner

 

*Apply a small amount of foam to your hands

 

*Rub hands together. Be sure to rub both the fronts and backs of your hands.

 

*After you enter the room

 

*Soap and water

 

*Wet your hands

 

*Apply soap

 

*Rub your hands together for at least 10 seconds. Sing the Happy Birthday

song to yourself if necessary.

*Rinse

 

*Dry hands with a paper towel. Use the paper towel to turn off the water or

open the door. This helps to not get germs back on your hands

Make sure everyone in your group follows the washing hands and not touching public areas then touching their faces and you have won over 1/2 the battle.

I would also suggest that you use hand sanitzer after you go thru the buffet and touch all fo the utensils that everyone else just did.

[JerryAttle]

Again.. Royal is not telling whole truth... the actual number of people who got sick was far more than they released in the press release.. I was on this ship and got sick the second day...and by the number of people who were stuck on this ship when we got into Grand Caymens was more like 500 plus people and growing.. as far as them CLEANNIG!! this did not start to happen until the 5th day of cruise... and then it was only a gesture of cleanning... this was was infected with this virus prior to the passengers getting on board 1/16... also the number of case was getting so large that Royal had to bring on another doctor to handle the cases....:mad:

[bpear1600]

Again.. Royal is not telling whole truth... the actual number of people who got sick was far more than they released in the press release.. I was on this ship and got sick the second day...and by the number of people who were stuck on this ship when we got into Grand Caymens was more like 500 plus people and growing.. as far as them CLEANNIG!! this did not start to happen until the 5th day of cruise... and then it was only a gesture of cleanning... this was was infected with this virus prior to the passengers getting on board 1/16... also the number of case was getting so large that Royal had to bring on another doctor to handle the cases....:mad:

 

The truth will out in spite of the spin doctors, Jerry, thanks to some of us who aren't afraid to call a spade a spade.

 

I would bet my last dollar that the press release was thoroughly watered down by RCI's PR people/firm who should be fired in my opinion. Just tell the truth RCI. We'll still love you and support you. Nobody expects perfection, just improvement in certain areas.

 

RCI should have said there were X number of REPORTED CASES. Anyone on the ship knows the number was much higher due to the people who admittedly didn't report to Medical because they didn't want to be confined. Thanks for thinking of your fellow passengers folks. How many people did you spread the sickness to? We've even got one RCI apologist in this thread who advocates bringing your own meds so you don't have to go to the infirmary. Talk about irresponsibility!

 

There is no proof the virus was or was not "brought onboard by a guest".

 

Not all who reported to Medical were "treated and responded well to over the counter medication". I personally know several people, including myself, who were given shots in the butt for nausea and LOMOTIL, a narcotic, for diarrhea. I also know for certain that at least two people were so badly dehydrated they were put on IV.

 

Why did servers in the Windjammer not wear hand coverings until the last day of the cruise?

 

Why were there no sanitizing stations outside the Windjammer when lunch opened the last day of the cruise?

 

Why did the greeter ignore the countless kids and others who failed to stop and sanitize?

 

In hindsight was it really a good idea for Monday night's entertainer, Judy whatever, to have the entire audience in the Savoy theater shake hands with those on either side and ahead and behind them?

 

I am not bitter; I have no axe to grind with RCI and I don't care about the money. I don't even care about the time lost; we are retired and could go on a cruise next week if we wanted to.

 

I am tired of people who are for whatever reason unwilling to handle the truth.

Bob

[CPT Trips]

Every ship buffet should have sanitizer!

All crew at buffet should wear gloves!

[worfsmom]

you seem to have a misunderstanding regarding over the counter medication, and something you perceive as "more" serious medication.

Over the counter meds can be given in various routes. Lomotil in some countries is not considered a prescription med. Your antinausea medication given to you in a hypodermic form, is over the counter in the US.

RCCL is not responsible for the spread of Norwalk, it is a gastrointestinal "flu".Have you considered the Piggy Wiggly responsible for the measle virus, or the flu that you have picked up from the buggy handles?

I have sailed on 3 different cruise lines lately, and used their gyms, they had equipment spray bottles in each one. I don't want to prattle on any further, but I would be more concerned regardaing contacting genital warts from the sweat soaked bicycle seats in gyms, that are soaked with sweat that has come from the perineal areas of gym enthusists than I am about RCCl being culpable.

Don't bother to flame me..............

[rcicruiser]

royal Caribbean is nit responsible for the Norwalk virus someone who was sick brought it on board. So for the hour you where in the gym and saw noone cleaning the machines how do you know they did not do it after you left. Do they do it a gyms in your area all day long. Also cruiseships have to report to the CDC land based places do not.

[1corona4u]

I am tired of people who are for whatever reason unwilling to handle the truth.

Bob

 

BP, sorry about your cruise, but I don't think it's about people who are not willing to handle the truth. It's just that people keep beating up RCI, adnauseam, for something they are NOT directly responsible for. It could, and has happened on a LOT of other ships too. Would it be acceptable to you and others if the cruise lines have to screen all passengers before they board to insure they are not sick in the future? Which could take HOURS!! I don't think anyone would like that. And even if they did screen, someone may have a virus, that has yet to display symptoms.

 

My point is, you all keep complaining about the same thing, but why? It's done...yes it was bad, BUT, really, how unavoidable was it? Who cares if 267 or 500 is the actual number of people who got sick. Is there a magic number that would have made this less, or more of an issue? I don't think so.

 

The bottom line is, people got sick, RCI had nothing to do with that, they didn't put it in your drinks/food. All passengers have to assume equal responsibility. It's only right. I am not defending RCI, but I do think they did the best they could have under the circumstances, judging by their statement, and objective post from others who were also on that cruise. If you do the math, it works out to about 8% of the total passengers. Some of you make it sound like an epidemic. It was not.

 

I am sorry anyone got sick, but that is the chance you take, when you are exposed to a lot of people, in a confined space, touching things, and breathing the same air. I was sick the entire first day of my cruise on the Rotterdam back in 86', stayed in the cabin for the first 24 hours, then my sister got it the next day,(now I know what it was...)and spent the next 24 hours in the cabin, so I do know how you all feel, but never once did I blame Holland America.

 

 

I think Laura should have closed this thread when she posted it, so the bashing would cease. It's counter productive.

[sunhoney64]

I dont have time to say everything I have too. Let me just say that there were 18 of us and 15 got very sick. I see a common thread here. We were all sick with in 12 hours of Monday nights dinner. One ended up so sick, she had IV's. 4 were quaranteened for 72 hour and 2 were quarantine for 96 hours!!!! Those of us who were on that cruise, know damn well that there were not 250 sick. I would bet there were 1500 sick on that cruise. Word got around the ship real quick that if you went to get medicine you would be locked in your cabin for 3 days. So most people didnt even go to the infirmary. This passed usually within about 24 hours but you would still be locked in for 3 days from the last symptom. And yes, we all took precations to prevent this. Am I the only one that was at the 3 shows that were cancelled or rearranged due to the singers/dancer being sick? I dont have a lot of time but my gripe has nothing to do with the sickness, it is 100% due to the way we were treated the minute we stepped on board. Yes, I saw them cleaning alot of the time, but there was also not a day went by that you didnt see puke in the hallways, steps, elevators from all the sick people. People puking right at their dinner tables. The people that were quarantined were treated like lepars! My friends asked for a restock of their sodas, since they couldnt step foot outside their cabin and were told their cabin guy was off until 5:30!! This was at noon, 6 hours later they recieved their cokes. I told them my food athe buffet was cold and was told to "set it down and get another plate"!!! Why would I want another plate of cold runny eggs? Regardless of the illness from the minute I stepped on board, this entire cruise was missing the bells and whistles of my past cruises. There was no music, no one to greet you, no one to tell you where to go, nothing. It went downhill from there. My friends were pulled off a tender when they were finally out of "quarantine" by the Cayman authorties because they didnt know what diabeties was. It was humilating. The doctor was nasty, threatened yet another friend of mine when she down to get some answers to exactly what an epedimic was. She was told "quit wasting my time". She had no freakin clue as to why she was being quaraninted as she was one of the first to get sick and was simply asking him a few questions. I have to go but I could go tell you some nightmare stories that if you were a regular cruiser, you would know is totally out of charater for a cruise ship. By the way, did you know that lettuce is one of the biggest carriers of this disease? I wonder how many of us ate saladas Monday night!

[demodawn]

Just to set the record straight the Flu that you get a flu shot to prevent is respiratory infection!!! It has nothing to do with vomiting or diarrhea. We all say we got the flu with the stomach but it is not THE FLU! When we all get the vominting and diarrhea at home it is usually from a virus like the norwalk we just dont call it that! We were also on a cruise that week and were parked next to you and we had to use the hand washers before we were allowed back on our ship. We also had several sick but mostly more colds and sinus. We didnt feel great our first few days but got lots of rest just sat around alot. One in our group spent most of the cruise in her room but she and her husband just felt is was no ones fault but another couple we meet also had a bad cold during the cruise and felt she should have been given $100 credit cause she didnt feel good. I feel if you travel at this time there will be much more sickness as its the time. Then we also had very rough seas and alot of us were seasick.

[worfsmom]

If your facts are correct, and all 18 of you got sick within 12 hours post dinner on the same night........ I wouldn't be suspecting Norwalk. I would be suspecting food poisoning. Did anyone ask for a culture and sensitivity to be done, for testing of your stool? Norwalk can be isolated. If it was food poisoning, I would suspect compensation is owing.

Please return, and inform us readers of the "other" problems you encountered with this cruise line (if the mods will allow this type of info), as consumers we need to have this knowledge.

We are the reason cruise lines, and cruise forums stay afloat (literally), and they need to remember that.

Many thanks for taking the time.

[1corona4u]

Some of you are treading very close to Libel, and Defamation. I'm pretty sure if RCI wanted to pursue it, they could find out who you all are. If you are not familiar with the law, you might want to visit this site;

http://injury-law.freeadvice.com/libel_and_slander/

 

And read the whole thing. A lot of you are just throwing supposition around without any facts to support it. In the process, you are damaging RCI's image/reputation. Possibly costing them future business. They COULD sue anyone that is falsely accusing them of things that are not true, to which they could prove. None of you have any evidence. Do you?? Documented??

 

In order for someone to voice their opinion on something like this, it would have to be stated as their opinion, or otherwise as a fact, if indeed it is, and can be PROVEN, should you be challenged on a statement. Such as the comment that more than 267 people were sick. Can anyone prove that? Can anyone prove that they all got sick right after dinner, and exactly what it was? I don't think so.

 

Bottom line, you need to be very careful about what you say on a public message board.

 

I suggest you all read the info posted above, before you post anything of a speculative nature in the future. Or you need to state it "as your opinion".

 

In the meantime, why don't you all call the local hospital and ask them how many cases of GI illnesses they have had lately!! This is NOT a cruise ship illness!! No one wants to read some of the gross things that have been posted in this thread, but like a train wreck, seems like people keep coming to see it. (and post to it with their alleged cruise perspective!)

 

It's also my opinion that this topic should end. It's a real negative topic, regardless of who the cruise line is. Frankly, I'm embarrassed for some of you, that you don't know what to say, and what not to say on a public message board.

 

This horse is DEAD, let it GO!