Mom worried about norovirus

[I&MsMom]

Seeking some guidance from all of you parents experienced in cruising with your children.

 

We took our first cruise on the Carnival Glory in January. In short, it was the first time since my son was born (DS just turned 6, DD is 26 months) that I didn't work harder on vacation than I do at home. Was so thrilled to find what I thought was the perfect vacation that I was poised, as of this am, to book the Destiny for mid-May, in part to celebrate a significant anniversary.

 

Let me also note that, for us, leaving the children at home or elsewhere is not an option. Neither of our parents are physically able to deal with the kids, and there is, effectively, no one else. So, if we go, they go, or no one goes.

 

Now, post-cruise, I find through these boards that several of my fellow Glory cruisers came down with the stomach bug late in the week. We escaped.

 

Today, through the "compensation for being quarantined" thread, the reality of what might have befallen us has become painfully clear. Please note that I do not believe compensation is in order.

 

What I am concerned with is the possibility that if one of the four of us becomes ill, all of us must remain in the cabin for days, if not the remainder of the cruise. Again, please note that I am in no way suggesting that we should disregard the health and well-being of our fellow passengers, and please understand that we would do whatever was asked of us by ship personnel.

 

I'm just wondering about the wisdom of putting my family in that potential situation. Again, I know there are no guarantees, but I wonder if cruising is the way to go after all. Imagine four people (two of whom are young children) cooped up in a cabin which is less than 200 SF, with 1/100 of the resources available for entertaining the kids that you have at home, when one of those individuals is ill, and admittedly not looking to be entertained, but the other three feel just fine...I even read one thread which stated a couple was quarantined (one of whom was ill, the other not) and was supposed to order off a limited menu, which seemed to exclude all but water as a beverage. I'm sorry, but if my kids aren't actually sick, I'm not going to be happy if they can't have milk.

 

All parents know how this works: basically a dominoe effect until it goes through most, if not everyone, in the family. Every parent knows how difficult it is to deal with a child who feels well but is not yet ready to return to the normal routine. I'll admit, I'm not above letting my son use our backyard playset when all of his friends are in school to get some fresh air and exercise, if he feels well, wants to, and is not coming into contact with anyone. I just can't imagine the reality of all of us cooped up in such a small space for such a (potentially) long period of time. Add to that the possibility that the ship's personnel can dictate what is and is not acceptable for us to eat/drink.

 

I am truly and completely spooked by this possible scenario. Any thoughts? We had so fallen in love with cruising. It hurts that it might have come to such an abrupt end....

 

I really appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

[Guest Time2gocruzn]

I was worried about this too. I researched the norovirus a little and it is NOT something that only occurs on cruise ships. It is a very common stomach bug that people catch all the time. The reason it spreads so quickly is because of so many common areas (including pools) on the ship. SO I figure, since my 1 son can't be in the pool anyway (no swin diapers) and my other son will probably want to be in the kids club, I am not that worried. We will probably save our swimming for the ocean. I am coming armed with hand sanitizer and plan to do lots of hand washing for all four of us. Really, that is all you can do is just take precautions, just like you would at home. I would hate for it to happen, but I am not going to let that stop me from going. If you think of the thousands of people that cruise, and the number of those who actually get sick, the odds really aren't that bad. Go and have a great time:D We mommies NEED vacations. There are stomach bugs all over, not just on ships.:)

[ineedacruise]

My family loves cruising so much that I am not going to let anything stop us from cruising. Your kids can get sick just attending school and you can get sick at work. Before you go have a long discussion to your kids about the dangers but then explain to them that they must follow certain rules.

 

do not put your hands in your mouth

wash your hands

use sanitizer when ever possible

dont touch the railings

let someone else touch the elevator buttons

dont eat every meal at the buffets... Germs run wild there

[I&MsMom]

Thanks for the input. I hear what you're saying about the virus being everywhere. I know my son could come home from school today having caught something nasty he'll share with all of us; same could be said of my husband as he returns from a business trip to Honduras & Guatamala (I'm sure there are wonderful bugs all over the world!) And I also hear what you're saying about taking precautions (although with my 2-year old, who is into everything, that might be tough!! lol)

 

My biggest concern is one of us getting sick and all of us being quarantined. At least when someone is sick at home, we're not all sharing a bathroom, we've got all the kid's paraphanelia to entertain them, we have something like six or seven channels with children's programming, the ones who are not ill can get outside to play, ride bikes in the driveway, etc. The prospect of being confined to a less than 200 SF room, with a single kid's movie (geared to older children at that) playing over and over, with very few toys, just has me really worried. It's not the one who is sick, and does not feel like going anywhere or doing anything anyway, it's the one(s) who are not ill.

 

I'm not trying to be doom-and-gloom. Two days ago I was thrilled at the prospect of booking our next cruise - just didn't have the time to do it over the weekend, and came to the boards for a last-minute check of what was doing to see the quarantine thread yesterday. It just really got me thinking and now I'm really hesitating. I know that even on the "sick" ships, probably less than 10% of the passengers report sick, but I question how many others had the virus but did not seek treatment. I know that, while my husband or I might (at least at home) just ride it out, if one of my kids has a fever, diarrhea or vomiting, they're seeing a doctor ASAP. I've heard too many horror stories of what people thought were just routine bugs turn out to be more serious - so no chances with my kids, and no flying under the ship's radar.

 

I wish I could just throw up my hands and say we'll cross our fingers, what are the odds? Maybe because the trip is entirely up to me, and I was the one who pushed for another cruise, I feel worse - if my husband were as enthusiastic as I, it might be different...I just don't know.

 

But I really do appreciate all of your thoughts - I'm sure you'll all have an absolutely wonderful experience!!

[abbyndrewmom]

I&M's Mom,

 

I can understand where you are coming from. i too was a litle freaked out by that thread. My one thought for you would be we commonly hear about these outbreaks in the winter months or on the summer alaska cruises. So hopefully May would be a okay time to go. We are cruising in March so I am just going to try and keep everyone as healthy as possible and hope for the best.

 

Allison

[I&MsMom]

Allison:

 

Thanks! I'm really new to this; we booked our January cruise in early November, and without much pre-research. All I learned from these boards was pretty much after I was already locked in.

 

I hadn't given much thought to the season-ality aspect of it. Dare I have hope again? You have given me some (sunny) points to reflect on....

 

Appreciate it!! Happy sailing - and may the good-health-fairies smile on you and your family!!! (Well, while I'm at it, the good-weather-fairies and the lucky-in-the-casino fairies, also, but only if the good-health-fairies are first up and a given!!!)

 

Mary Margaret