Norovirus & "Code Red" ??

[1 HappyCruiser]

I also just returned from the Crown's TA cruise. I was lucky and did not get sick. I was appalled when I saw passengers refusing to use the sanitizers prior to entering the restaurants. Thank goodness Princess did not let them enter without using the sanitizers. I witnessed more than one passenger/crew member confrontation.

 

I only occasionally use the stuff but on the Crown it seemed to be pushed a little harder recently but you could still avoid using it by inserting you hand into the machine with your fingers spread so not to get squirted & pretend to rub your hands.

If using the stuff actually did any good why would there have been on outbreak of Noro?

Sorry, but the only thing the stuff does for me is crack my skin & make my hands sticky. I'll resort to washing when needed & pass on the sanitizer.

[portiemom]

Good good as long as they ain’t standing watching ill just use my own hand rubs which do the same without the horrid gel!!!

 

I wonder if you carried your own product with you for cruise personnel to observe you using, if that might not work? Maybe also have a note explaining your allergy?

[brokenangel]

I wonder if you carried your own product with you for cruise personnel to observe you using, if that might not work? Maybe also have a note explaining your allergy?

 

Im going to try calling and asking about that tomorrow, just hope that the crew can understand its the same stuff without a gelling(sp) agent ie nearly pure alcohol. I didnt think booking a cruise would be this stressful :(

[Pam in CA]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo I've literally just booked with princess after spending 30minute on the phone to customer services being assured that it wasn’t mandatory to use the sanitizers, really can’t be bothered with a confrontation every meal time especially seen as its meant to be such a special occasion. I also do not want to be singled out and made not to touch anything as I just won’t eat anything. Looks like im going to have very painful hands for the entire cruise :(

 

P.s honestly don’t be disgusted every piece of food you eat has bacteria on it which you need for a healthy gut anyway as long as they have washed their hands it will be fine but TBH as long as you have got a normal immune system it’s not something to worry about.

 

That’s the same with most infections unfortunately, I was only on RCL 2 years ago and didn’t notice such an obsessed attitude with hand hygiene as they seemed to realise it was viral so unless they locked everyone away it was going to spread purely by contact with each other.

 

Does anyone know if all cruise lines are now so infection conscious as I may try to get a refund and move the cruise to another line if it’s just princess going over the top however much I love the ports of call.

All the cruise lines are conscious of Noro and do what they can. And, they all get Noro outbreaks. You just don't hear about them as much because they're not as big news or "sensational." Far more people catch colds on cruise ships than Noro.

 

The only thing you can do, no matter where you are, even home, is to practice cleanliness yourself. Wash your hands as often as you can, don't touch your face, etc. We are all exposed to virus' all the time and don't get them. I refuse to stay home in case I might catch something on a ship. If 10% get Noro, 90% don't. I could catch it just as easily by going to the supermarket, going to a movie, etc.

[curtdesilets]

Here is a horrible experience earlier this year on the Norovirus situation on the Crown Princess:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=96864

 

She insists it was either the food or the food handlers that caused this outbreak. Any thoughts?

[danaruns]

Here is a horrible experience earlier this year on the Norovirus situation on the Crown Princess:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=96864

 

She insists it was either the food or the food handlers that caused this outbreak. Any thoughts?

 

Since my cruise is only 5 days away, I will not be reading your link. You folks have me already totally freaked out about noro, and the last thing I need is a story saying that it's in the food.

 

:( :( :(

 

:eek::eek::eek:

[Pam in CA]

Here is a horrible experience earlier this year on the Norovirus situation on the Crown Princess:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=96864

 

She insists it was either the food or the food handlers that caused this outbreak. Any thoughts?

All I can say is, "Oy!" You can have 10 different people on the same ship at the same time who have 10 different experiences and each is admant that their experience is the correct one. The truth? Who knows? Unless the food handlers had just boarded the ship, it's highly unlikely that they were the problem. The food is provided by reputable companies IN THE US who provide food to many, if not all, of the ships, not just the Crown. It's stored in sanitary conditions and even the galley is set up to keep things sanitary and not allow any cross-contamination. Beef is prepared in one place, chicken in another, shellfish in another, etc.

 

Most of the time, the transmission of the virus is through passenger contact. The reviewer could have caught the virus on the flight from JFK to FLL which would make sense since I believe there's a 24-48 hour incubation period and they were sick the 2nd night on the ship. They probably brought it on the ship.

 

I think the reviewer was pissed that they got sick and doesn't have a clue as to how they got the Noro or what causes it to spread. I sure as hell hope they stayed in their cabin for a full 24 hours after the last symptom although it doesn't appear that way. Chances are, they were one of the carriers on the ship if they left their cabin and spread it to others.

 

I'm very sensitive to salt in food and never add any. I rarely find the food on Princess any saltier than I've found anywhere else. I was just on the Sapphire Princess for lunch on Saturday and it was delicious. Everything was perfect. Nothing salty.

 

Please read the review with a heavy dose of skepticism. While the reviewer has a right to their opinion, I think they're way off base. And that's not just due to loyalty to Princess but plain common sense.

[Earthworm Jim]

Here is a horrible experience earlier this year on the Norovirus situation on the Crown Princess:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=96864

 

She insists it was either the food or the food handlers that caused this outbreak. Any thoughts?

 

Unlikely, but not impossible. People who think they have food poisoning more often really have noro, so maybe that's what this reviewer is driving at thinking it was food poisoning. Though in theory, noro could be in the food, but it's much more plausible that noro was contracted from a surface that someone infected touched. I guess technically if noro was in the food, that would make it a form of food poisoning, so they'd be right. But I mean when people think that got food poisoning from some botulism type ailment from spoiled food, it's more likely noro, which is more often transmitted in ways other than the food itself.

 

The CDC says you are most contagious while you are sick and for 3 days after. Who, be it either passenger or crew, is going to be staying quarantined in their cabin for 3 more days after they feel better?

 

(Incidentally, I was on that ship the week after the reviewer, the one that turned into a cruise to nowhere when they had to turn back due to noro. I was one of the unfortunates to get noro, though my case wasn't super-severe.)

[curtdesilets]

I'm sorry to hear that you were on the cruise to nowhere and also got it. We were very scared for some of the elderly on our ship. This Noro is no joke!

 

I just wish somehow this problem was better maintained or controlled. On this or another thread, I noticed that Princess cannot force you to use the hand sanitizers as they do not want a confrontation with an unruly or angry guest. It seems that some people who are set in their ways about not washing after using the bathrooms or prior to eating, and that the cruise line cannot be forced to change or modify those behaviors. My wife was appalled on many different cruises by the number of people that would simply walk out of the bathroom without washing their hands. I know in some instances it's cultural, but that cultural FLAW can really wreck havoc on everybody's cruise experience! As you are aware.

 

It's sort of similar to the smoker's "rights" issues on verandahs or in casinos.

[curtdesilets]

Since my cruise is only 5 days away, I will not be reading your link. You folks have me already totally freaked out about noro, and the last thing I need is a story saying that it's in the food.

 

:( :( :(

 

:eek::eek::eek:

 

Sorry for that.

 

We have had 17 cruises and never once got sick. If you just wash your hands, and wash well, you shall be fine. If (heaven forbids) there is a Code Red situation on your ship, the recommendation from some seasoned experts is stay away from the buffet . Just eat all meals in the MDR where there is little contact with other people touching your food.

 

Our cruise, although struck with Noro, was very good and we will have lifelong memories of the places we explored. Have a GREAT cruise!

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I think for many the sanitizing gel provides an excuse for not washing hands prior to entering the buffet. Thus they grab untensils with noro-laden hands and the virus get passed on and on and on. If the gel were to disappear it may have a positive impact as more would wash their hands.

 

we're on the crown in february that was canceled after 5 days for noro.

 

We boarded late because the previous cruise also had it.

 

we had to stay in the convention center and although we were advised to wash our hands thoroughly still many people were observed in the restrooms not washing.

 

we had over 400 pax with it and 68 crew.

 

Bill

 

 

 

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

[fishin' musician]

I just wish somehow this problem was better maintained or controlled. On this or another thread, I noticed that Princess cannot force you to use the hand sanitizers as they do not want a confrontation with an unruly or angry guest.

 

Once again, the hand sanitizers have proven to be inefective against noro type viruses. I believe they do more harm than good by giving folks like yourself a false sense of security. I'm sure many (most?) hit the sanitizers in lieu of washing hands prior to entering the buffet area. IMO they cause more potential harm than good.

[curtdesilets]

Once again' date=' the hand sanitizers have proven to be inefective against noro type viruses. I believe they do more harm than good by giving folks like yourself a false sense of security. I'm sure many (most?) hit the sanitizers in lieu of washing hands prior to entering the buffet area. IMO they cause more potential harm than good.[/quote']

 

What I envision is some sort of large circular fountain of warm water with soap dispensers and tuxedo clad wait staff with fresh towels on hand to help you dry your hands. Now that would work!

[fishin' musician]

What I envision is some sort of large circular fountain of warm water with soap dispensers and tuxedo clad wait staff with fresh towels on hand to help you dry your hands. Now that would work!

 

Agreed... form following function! Perfect

[caribill]

we had to stay in the convention center

 

And that could be the reason so many people came down with noro. With all those people in relatively close quarters for several hours, a few carriers could cause a lot of others to get the virus before even getting on board.

[CZEE]

Since my cruise is only 5 days away, I will not be reading your link. You folks have me already totally freaked out about noro, and the last thing I need is a story saying that it's in the food.

 

:( :( :(

 

:eek::eek::eek:

 

Well, don't freak. Follow good hygiene procedures and you should be just fine. You can get noro anywhere. It's more prevalent in closed environments--ships, retirement communities, schools, even hospitals. So just follow the hygiene principles we teach our children--wash, wash, wash, keep your hands away from your face, etc. Thesee are things you should do whether any venue has noro or not--just good hygiene.

 

Exceedingly unlikely that it's in the food.

[ONT-CA]

What I envision is some sort of large circular fountain of warm water with soap dispensers and tuxedo clad wait staff with fresh towels on hand to help you dry your hands. Now that would work!

 

Or something like a sheep dip?

[NewPennCruiser]

Well, don't freak. Follow good hygiene procedures and you should be just fine. You can get noro anywhere. It's more prevalent in closed environments--ships, retirement communities, schools, even hospitals. So just follow the hygiene principles we teach our children--wash, wash, wash, keep your hands away from your face, etc. Thesee are things you should do whether any venue has noro or not--just good hygiene.

 

Exceedingly unlikely that it's in the food.

 

I agree totally with czee and what many others are saying. Don't freak out and just be observant, pay attention, use common sense and wash your hands frequently. We were on the Crown for 2 weeks in February during it's previous outbreak, spent 6 hours in the convention center, did the cruise to nowhere, etc and we just watched closely and we were fine. You really can only control what you do. Short of following everyone in the bathroom and forcing them to wash hands, we have very little control over what others do and unfortunately as much as Princess and other cruise lines try, truth is they have little control over it as well.

 

My Significant Other caught Noro a month or so ago. We're not sure how. Maybe at the grocery store, eating out, maybe touching something at work, etc. so it can happen anytime; anywhere. We were just home doing nothing which is probably when you let your guard down sometimes.

 

So just pay attention, wash your hands and I'm sure you all will have a great time on your cruise. Dave

[curtdesilets]

Or something like a sheep dip?

 

 

LOL! Perhaps they can get some sort of TSA resembling device similar to the "full body scanners" that instead irradiates all your viruses and then coats you with a film of Lysol. I'll get a design team together.:rolleyes:

[ONT-CA]

LOL! Perhaps they can get some sort of TSA resembling device similar to the "full body scanners" that instead irradiates all your viruses and then coats you with a film of Lysol. I'll get a design team together.:rolleyes:

 

Kidding aside, I wondered about placing hands below Ultraviolet lamps in lieu of the alcohol hand sanitizers. But I have no understanding as to the practicality of that.

[Floridiana]

I think for many the sanitizing gel provides an excuse for not washing hands prior to entering the buffet.

 

It's just your theory. It could be the other way round. The sanitizer reminds passengers that they should always wash their hands carefully because a confined space like a cruise ship can promote the spread of illness. That's how I feel.

 

I avoid the Princess buffets if all possible.

[caribill]

It's just your theory. It could be the other way round. The sanitizer reminds passengers that they should always wash their hands carefully because a confined space like a cruise ship can promote the spread of illness. That's how I feel.

 

 

The CDC has found that sanitizers make people think that is all they have to use, not that they should be careful otherwise or take other precautions.

[tothemall&beyond]

We just got home from the Crown's TA with the large noro outbreak. We luckily didn't get it, but we were fastidious with washing our hands, using only our own pens and pencils, and using wipes to disinfect our cabin when we boarded and throughout cruise.

I do not think we can blame passengers for bringing it on board. I think it "lives" among the crew and keeps getting passed to passengers. Princess tries to take precautions, but they are only as good as the weakest link among the crew. Like the Asst. Waiter who coughed into her hand (after we were Code Red) and then picked up a water pitcher. We reported her to the Maitre'D who had her wash her hands. But she then still used the same pitchers. Or the MDR staff clearing the dirty dishes and linens and then not washing their hand before they set the table for the next guests. Same situation in the coffee bar of International Cafe, and with beverage servers in Horizon Court.

[curtdesilets]

We just got home from the Crown's TA with the large noro outbreak. We luckily didn't get it, but we were fastidious with washing our hands, using only our own pens and pencils, and using wipes to disinfect our cabin when we boarded and throughout cruise.

I do not think we can blame passengers for bringing it on board. I think it "lives" among the crew and keeps getting passed to passengers. Princess tries to take precautions, but they are only as good as the weakest link among the crew. Like the Asst. Waiter who coughed into her hand (after we were Code Red) and then picked up a water pitcher. We reported her to the Maitre'D who had her wash her hands. But she then still used the same pitchers. Or the MDR staff clearing the dirty dishes and linens and then not washing their hand before they set the table for the next guests. Same situation in the coffee bar of International Cafe, and with beverage servers in Horizon Court.

 

I think you are right about one thing...inexperienced crew can exasperate the situation.

 

We had a bad Noro outbreak last year on our British Isles Cruise. I do believe for most of the staff, this was their first encounter with it.

 

Just one similar story to yours from that cruise:

 

We were in the buffet area eating breakfast when a man had a horrible coughing/sneezing fit that actually led to a bloody nose. Without going into details, he basically contaminated the table. He and his wife left(hopefully to the medical center). So the bus staff gingerly clean up his tray and do a fast once over wipe with an already soiled rag, and proceed to clear and reset the table. We immediately got up and said, "no you guys have to totally scrub that table!" Of course we were met with blank stares and broken English, but eventually we made sure it was cleaned properly. Were we not to intercede, who knows what the next diner would have caught.

 

Then we noticed that many of them were just doing that simple one wipe and your done with the tables. Oy!

 

I now strongly believe the buffet area is a breeding grounds for Noro, based on this incident and all the others discussed on this thread..

[Lostincruisin]

Just curious. We were on Crown Princess last year about this time for a British Isles cruise. Unfortunately, several hundred people got sick with Norovirus, and it really affected our cruise. Fortunately, my wife and I escaped unscathed.

 

Has anyone else here recently experience Norovirus? And did Princess go through this "Code Red" procedure?

 

I had read that Crown got it again in February, a couple of times.

 

Any thoughts on this? Is Princess taking a better approach to preventing this (like enforcement of hand sanitizers, quarantined buffet areas, etc.) ??:confused:

 

We were on Crown Princess March 3, 2012 and no problems at all.. this just after the Feb outbreak and much thorough cleaning of the entire ship.

Hopefully Princess will have no more problems in that area