Equinox 2/23 - DELAYED

[pbrady]

Well we were scheduled to leave at 4:40 from Port Everglades but today' continuous texts, emails & phone calls tell us not to arrive until 5:00 (8th floor) due to a cleaning. We have waited in the terminal many times before for a "cleaning" but it hasn't delayed the departure. What's up? Also, anyone know what they do about the seating times in the MDR? If we don't even get on until 5:00 and they have the life drill (video) and people getting their luggage to change for dinner....will they change the dinner times?

[CathyCruises]

Only time that happened to me, there was noro on the previous cruise. We got into our cabins at 6:30 PM. have you checked on your roll call to see if anyone knows anything?

Edited February 20, 2015 by CathyCruises

[Maligator]

If your thread title is correct, maybe it's because you're three days early. :D

[villauk]

According to your roll call:

 

'Hello, this is Celebrity Cruises. We would like to provide you with important information regarding your sailing on February 23, 2015, onboard Celebrity Equinox. During the ship's last sailing, some guests experienced gastrointestinal illness. Once the ship arrives, we will conduct enhanced sanitizing onboard the ship and in the terminal to help prevent any illness from affecting your cruise. Because of this, your check-in and boarding will be delayed. We ask that you closely adhere to your new assigned deck arrival times. 2:00 to 2:30 PM = Deck 10 & Deck 6; 2:30 to 3:00 PM = Deck 11; 3:00 to 3:30 PM = Deck 3 & Deck 9; 4:00 to 4:30 PM = Deck 12; 4:30 to 5:00 PM = Deck 7 & Deck 8. We invite our Suites and Zenith guests to arrive anytime between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. All onboard time 5:15 p.m. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and look forward to welcoming you onboard the Celebrity Equinox.'

 

So they have Noro onboard.

[Du vent dans les voiles]

Gastro intestinal illness on the present cruise is what we were told by phone.

[DinaS]

Here's the info on what's going on:

 

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/outbreak/2015/february23_celebrity_equinox.htm

[phoenix_dream]

What an awful way to start a cruise, isn't it. I can only offer the solace that when it happened to us a couple of times, they resolved the problem and there were no significant issues on our cruises. They take the cleaning very seriously. Fingers crossed for you:)

[CathyCruises]

Actually it's not as bad as being on the current cruise WITH noro! On our cruise, we were delayed a bit, but the cruise itself was great with no evidence of any illnesses.

[phoenix_dream]

Actually it's not as bad as being on the current cruise WITH noro! On our cruise, we were delayed a bit, but the cruise itself was great with no evidence of any illnesses.

 

True! I have been on one cruise that went Code Red mid-way and while we lucked out and did not catch anything, it added a little more tension to the vacation.

[wallie5446]

KUDDOS are due Celebrity for taking additional cleaning measures.

The % of those reported being sick is small compared to the 700+ while we were on the Ruby in 2012:(

 

Number of passengers who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of passengers onboard: 95 of 2896 (3.28%)

Number of crew who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of crew onboard: 7 of 1209 (0.58%)

[pbrady]

Thanks for all the input. I was just wondering because we have had several cruises where we had to wait in the terminal for the cleaning to be completed. However, we never left the port late. It was surprising to me that 3 days early they know they would not have the ship cleaned for an on-time departure. Oh well - it will still be great to just be out of below zero weather!!

[kkbay]

We will also be leaving on the Equinox on the 23rd. We will be arriving a day early and I guess we will just hand around the lobby and wait to go to the ship. Glad they are taking stringent measures to clean everything. In my opinion, and Ive only seen this done once on a cruise ship, in the buffet, ALL foods, and I mean ALL FOODS should be handled ONLY by gloved staff members. Guests should point to what they want and be served by staff, much like at US cafeteria chains. This would help immensely!!

[cruisead]

We're on Equinox now, and yes, there is an outbreak of Noro. They started Code Red yesterday, with all the added precautions like no self serve in the buffet, all library books removed so they can be sanitized, no menus in the bars, no salt/pepper shakers on the tables and all the rest. We got our luggage tags last night and for whatever reason, disembarking is going to be late, with the last tag numbers expected to be called at 11:30, according to the note we got with the tags.

[uktog]

Thanks for all the input. I was just wondering because we have had several cruises where we had to wait in the terminal for the cleaning to be completed. However, we never left the port late. It was surprising to me that 3 days early they know they would not have the ship cleaned for an on-time departure. Oh well - it will still be great to just be out of below zero weather!!

 

Not surprising at all, they need to do a deep clean which they do with specialist shore based teams and no guest on board.

Don't worry, far rather they do this and first night may not be the smooth experience you are used to than they didn't. I for one over the years have learned to see night one as very much a shaking down night - I may have my cases, I may not; I may eat at my preferred time and venue I may not. Experience has shown that when things do go a little wrong, it doesn't impact on how I view the cruise

[phillygirl2400]

We're on Equinox now, and yes, there is an outbreak of Noro. They started Code Red yesterday, with all the added precautions like no self serve in the buffet, all library books removed so they can be sanitized, no menus in the bars, no salt/pepper shakers on the tables and all the rest. We got our luggage tags last night and for whatever reason, disembarking is going to be late, with the last tag numbers expected to be called at 11:30, according to the note we got with the tags.

 

 

Interesting note regarding library books. I stopped using library books a few years ago because I thought they could be a source of germs. Several friends thought I was overreacting. On the other hand, never thought about the salt and pepper shakers. This may cause me to finally cut down on my salt intake.

[wallie5446]

One of the reasons for the delays,

 

"Three CDC Vessel Sanitation Program environmental health officers and one epidemiologist will board the ship in Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) on February 23, 2015 to conduct an environmental health assessment and evaluate the outbreak and response activities. Specimens are being collected and will be tested by CDC to determine the causative agent for this outbreak."

[Du vent dans les voiles]

Comfortably seated at Montreal Trudeau airport and waiting to board the aircraft.

Bye bye cold weather ...... At least for a while! :)

 

Josée

[Du vent dans les voiles]

Sorry guys, thought I was on the roll call ;)

 

Well.... I need a vacation!

[hancock]

Be grateful that they are doing a deep cleaning. I was on the 'Disease of the Seas' cruise in January 2014. Noro started on the prior cruise but they didn't do a good cleaning job. Our cruise was cut short as 700(official #) were sick. ( I think the real number was close to 1000.) We were among those who got sick. Not a pleasant experience.

[BrendaJ]

We were on an Azamara cruise with a few sick passengers, and the crew cleaned everything we touched, including the seats we sat on in the bar the moment we left, the pens we touched to sign for drinks, everything. It didn't affect our cruise at all but just impressed me on the lengths they go to to prevent the spread of illness.

[miched]

We were on an Azamara cruise with a few sick passengers, and the crew cleaned everything we touched, including the seats we sat on in the bar the moment we left, the pens we touched to sign for drinks, everything. It didn't affect our cruise at all but just impressed me on the lengths they go to to prevent the spread of illness.

 

The chair rails under the seats are always a concern to me. I think everything is cleaned except that area is overlooked. People sit down and move their chairs in by grabbing those rails and then adjust their chair while dining and then leaving.

 

I found it best not to eat any finger food such as bread, cookies, and etc. unless I know that my hands haven't touched anything since washing and that includes my sea pass that I think is overlooked by everyone.

 

happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌞

[BrendaJ]

Gosh - the sea pass - never thought about that, although no one other than crew should be touching it, and I suspect they have some pretty rigorous hygiene requirements.

[barbjd106]

that they NEVER close the casino. Think of how germs can spread via money, chips, slot machines....

 

Barbara

[Redtravel]

On my recent cruise, they did not handle your card as you departed or boarded the ship. You held it up to a scanner. That is a big help in not spreading noro virus.

[Hawkstar33]

It can be contracted almost anywhere, in many ways..Most of the time it is from people who don't practice good hygiene...The ones that think it is not necessary to wash their hands after using the facilities. Or the ones that blow their noses in a handkerchief and put it in their pocket..5 minutes later they take it out, open it up, and blow again..Then these people push the elevator button, or go on an exercise bike..That is no joke...It's disgusting and almost unimaginable in this day and age..I personally have witnessed this and have had no problem voicing my displeasure to the offender...Why shouldn't we speak up..These slobs can wreck our trip...They should clean the ship after every cruise this way..I would not mind getting there a couple hours later for this reason..Will be on board 3/16..Will wash my hands many times