Time to Get Rid of Self Service Food?

[dazzer01]

I think that the cruise lines need to examine the reasons there are illness outbreaks on board cruises. Basically, don't let people serve themselves. Have service staff do it. There may be a small increases in cruise fares, most people wouldn't notice or care how much extra it is. But think of the marketing leverage to be gained. "We serve all your food to minimise further any possibility of illness outbreaks"

I know, I know, there are other possible sources of transmission, but they are probably more easily sanitized than the food service areas.

Just my 2c. worth.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Very good point and I agree.

Makes me wonder if the self service complies with Health Regulations on shore. These days at Cafes etc all the food on display must be behind glass , at least it is in NZ.

[happysnapper]

As you say there are many sources of transmission and these are impossible to eradicate 100% on and off cruise ships. It has to start with people and their personal hygiene.

[dazzer01]

As you say there are many sources of transmission and these are impossible to eradicate 100% on and off cruise ships. It has to start with people and their personal hygiene.

If you are a "student of the human condition" as I am :D you will know that that's an impossible ask. People always say, that's not me, I'm clean, I'm very careful, etc. Unfortunate, but true. Travel on any public transport, go into any public space, and just observe. yuk!

[Pushka]

We were on a cruise in the Med that had no self service due to noro and we hated it. Huge queues at stations because people took forever when choosing things like fruit for gods sake. No, not that piece - this piece. And so on. Queues just to get water. Hated the buffet at that time and when the alert was over it was so much better.

Edited February 3, 2016 by Pushka

[nodandade]

although I agree dazzer01,and we should start somewhere, but it is a big ask to try to eradicate completely the outbreaks of viruses on cruise ships. we have been so lucky (my wife and I) having been on 7 cruises overseas and never had noro on any of those cruises.another thing that needs to be strictly monitored is when people return from shore visits,let me say I think this is where a vast number of bugs come from.having seen the nose picking habits from the Asian community in their countries to the vast amount of flies, filth , and bad sanitation in Egypt and the most of the middle east, it isn't any wonder that virus outbreaks on ships are prevelant.i have had many doctors tell me that when people come back from overseas on a plane for instance, and they get ill a day or two after, they blame the country that they have been to for their illness but in fact a lot of the problems come from the air system within the planes

so yes I agree start somewhere pay a little extra, and see if we can at least reduce the noro think ,even a little bit will help

[GUT2407]

Niro still spreads in places without self service.

 

Never seen self service in a nursing home, but sometimes Moro rages through one. Same for hospital wards.

 

To be honest respitory infections worry me much more on a cruise than Noro so should Air Conditioning go too.

[NSWP]

P&O Australia don't have Buffet now, but call it the 'Pantry.' Not seen it but could be like your shopping centre food hall, you go order at the relevant outlet. Is that what happens on P&O Australia? . How are the queues/congestion on there? Perhaps other cruise lines might look at it.

Edited February 3, 2016 by NSWP

[rguy123]

You would think there would be big outbreaks in Las Vegas if food service was the problem

[Haoie]

But Pantry's been pretty unpopular hasn't it?

[NSWP]

You would think there would be big outbreaks in Las Vegas if food service was the problem

I believe lack of hygiene, e.g. poor or no hand washing after toileting is a causative factor, more then food germs.

[sweetp12]

There are mixed reviews on The Pantry on P & O Aussie.

 

Most complaints are around the lack of variety of food, the lack of trays and the reconfiguration of the tables.

 

However the lack of variety is an interesting complaint - there are 10 themed food areas (e.g. Indian, Roast, Asian, Pastry, The Grill etc) and each has a variety of dishes that change each meal. So not sure how people can say lack of variety.

 

The removal of trays has been panned severely - especially those who are disabled or have kids or want to visit multiple stations.

 

The seating issue is due to removing some table space to make the concept work and also to put different seat configurations in - e.g. bar stools at high tables, couches etc.

 

No idea if this is cutting down on illness or food consumption but it seems to be the way P & O is going across their line.

 

There doesn't seem to be any complaints about wait times to be served or freshness of the food.

Edited February 4, 2016 by sweetp12

[avalon007]

It's the bad habits of some passengers, not so much the food service issue that spreads Noro. How many just walk out of the toilets with no hand washing, or a minimal splash under the water? Too many.

 

I use the paper towel to open the door out of the restrooms as suggested, I wash my hands thoroughly & use sanitiser entering the restaurants as well as take my own as I believe it works better.

 

I have seen people have 2 plates of food in the buffet, then balance one on top of the other so the bottom of the top plate makes contact with the food below, thus placing anything it picked up from the counter onto the food - this wouldn't change if people were served from the buffet, only if every meal was served like main dining room style.

 

They also place their bread roll etc directly on the table in some cases rather than get an additional plate for it. They seem to think they can never go back to the buffet so pile their plates sky high so no room for the roll & to eat the food.

 

I enjoy the buffet, being able to pick & choose what I want, but I take precautions - never taking food from the front of the trays where stupid people place the tongs they just held in their potentially dirty hands on top of the food or on the bench, or little kids have been touching everything. I also wait for a fresh tray of something to arrive if it's down to it's last dregs.

 

I let staff know if I see something that could be an issue like last cruise a spoon dropped into the chocolate sauce or if tongs fall on the ground etc.

 

I never place the eating end of my cutlery on the tables in the buffet, always sit it on the edge of my plate otherwise anything on the table gets on your utensils which you then put in your mouth.

 

So many people just seem to be ignorant of basic hygiene when in public places, but then I find many people are just ignorant in general so it's no surprise really. :rolleyes:

 

So far I have never had Noro ever on any holiday, even travelling with my husband who contracted it in Morocco & was sick for 4 days. He has never had it on a cruise ship though. They say about 20% of the population is actually immune to Noro - hoping I'm one of those!

 

I also wipe down the cabin commonly touched areas that the staff don't always clean with a sanitiser wipe (light switches, door knobs etc) on first day in the cabin just in case.

 

I have caught a few colds though - one was from a selfish woman who knew she was sick & sat next to me, but came to dinner anyway then left half way through as she felt too ill, after having coughed all over the table of course.

 

No way to avoid other people, so the only option is to adopt a more rigid self hygiene oriented mind set when travelling - it becomes second nature.

 

Before anyone thinks I'm germ phobic - at home, which is on a farm, we use zero anti bacterial products, just orange cleaner. I only take precautions when travelling & so far so good. :)

[OzKiwiJJ]

I think that the cruise lines need to examine the reasons there are illness outbreaks on board cruises. Basically, don't let people serve themselves. Have service staff do it. There may be a small increases in cruise fares, most people wouldn't notice or care how much extra it is. But think of the marketing leverage to be gained. "We serve all your food to minimise further any possibility of illness outbreaks"

I know, I know, there are other possible sources of transmission, but they are probably more easily sanitized than the food service areas.

Just my 2c. worth.

 

And remove all the handrails on the stairs and in the corridors.

 

And remove the lift buttons - the lifts would have to stop on every floor, imagine what the queues for the lifts would be like.

 

And remove the menus in the MDR too, have huge TVs all over the MDR displaying the menu. Oh, what about the chairs? Should diners stand to eat so they don't pass on Noro from touching the sides of the chairs?

 

Remove all the sunloungers, for the same reason as chairs.

 

And you'll have to stand in the bars, and hold your drinks, no tables allowed.

 

Close the theatres - can't have people putting their hands all over the seating there. That means trivia and bingo will have to go as well.

 

Close the casino too, all those hands on the slot machines, ugh.

 

:eek: :eek: :eek:

 

I believe lack of hygiene, e.g. poor or no hand washing after toileting is a causative factor, more then food germs.

 

Exactly! But how can you teach people to be hygienic when they don't want to be taught. :rolleyes:

 

The only thing we can do, as individuals, is to ensure that we wash and sanitize as much as practicable.

[GUT2407]

I wonder if there has been any research into the impact of my hygiene on my chances of getting something like Noro.

 

Ie if I wash, sanitize whatever, frequently and thoroughly does that reduce my chances, no matter what others do.

[OzKiwiJJ]

I wonder if there has been any research into the impact of my hygiene on my chances of getting something like Noro.

 

Ie if I wash, sanitize whatever, frequently and thoroughly does that reduce my chances, no matter what others do.

 

It probably does, Gut. If you keep your hands clean you are less likely to transmit the virus to your mouth etc, where it can enter your system.

[GUT2407]

It probably does, Gut. If you keep your hands clean you are less likely to transmit the virus to your mouth etc, where it can enter your system.

 

That's my thinking, next time I go to the quack's I'll try and remember to ask him.

[lyndarra]

And remove all the handrails on the stairs and in the corridors.

 

And remove the lift buttons - the lifts would have to stop on every floor, imagine what the queues for the lifts would be like.

 

And remove the menus in the MDR too, have huge TVs all over the MDR displaying the menu. Oh, what about the chairs? Should diners stand to eat so they don't pass on Noro from touching the sides of the chairs?

 

Remove all the sunloungers, for the same reason as chairs.

 

And you'll have to stand in the bars, and hold your drinks, no tables allowed.

 

Close the theatres - can't have people putting their hands all over the seating there. That means trivia and bingo will have to go as well.

 

Close the casino too, all those hands on the slot machines, ugh.

 

:eek: :eek: :eek:

 

 

 

Exactly! But how can you teach people to be hygienic when they don't want to be taught. :rolleyes:

 

The only thing we can do, as individuals, is to ensure that we wash and sanitize as much as practicable.

 

You've left out CLOTHES. What's the first thing people touch after using a toilet? Their clothes!

So we shall just have to cruise naked.;)

[OzKiwiJJ]

You've left out CLOTHES. What's the first thing people touch after using a toilet? Their clothes!

So we shall just have to cruise naked.;)

 

OMG! How could I have forgotten that. :eek: :eek: :eek: :D

Edited February 4, 2016 by OzKiwiJJ

[NSWP]

Think of how many grubby hands have held your Cabin TV remote control?

[zoncom]

You guys down under seem to have a better understanding than Americanos. Its from fecal matter period. No cure yet.

I have been on over 50 cruises without getting it. Almost always use cabin toilets. But I got NORO in my hometown, most likely at our Senior Center. It was the worst 3 days of my life. Wracking ab. pains . Like being in labor. So wash your hands in soapy hot water for 30 seconds please.

[lagoon380]

Also a major factor is the state of your immune system and gut bacteria balance.

[sun-set]

And remove all the handrails on the stairs and in the corridors.

7

And remove the lift buttons - the lifts would have to stop on every floor, imagine what the queues for the lifts would be like.

 

And remove the menus in the MDR too, have huge TVs all over the MDR displaying the menu. Oh, what about the chairs? Should diners stand to eat so they don't pass on Noro from touching the sides of the chairs?

 

Remove all the sunloungers, for the same reason as chairs.

 

And you'll have to stand in the bars, and hold your drinks, no tables allowed.

 

Close the theatres - can't have people putting their hands all over the seating there. That means trivia and bingo will have to go as well.

 

Close the casino too, all those hands on the slot machines, ugh.

 

:eek: :eek: :eek:

 

 

 

Exactly! But how can you teach people to be hygienic when they don't want to be taught. :rolleyes:

 

The only thing we can do, as individuals, is to ensure that we wash and sanitize as much as practicable.

 

 

 

I agree with you OzKiwiJJ

 

I believe colds and flu are the biggest problem to people who look after their own hygiene, it is hard to avoid people coughing and sneezing with little regard for people they are infecting.

I have cruised 20 times including early voyages and have never had noro, but have been very ill with colds towards the end of a cruise, or after the cruise.

I would certainly avoid a cruise line if the forced you into lines to be served.

I have avoided P & O since they announced their pantry system, although I am not sure how it works.

[GUT2407]

You guys down under seem to have a better understanding than Americanos. Its from fecal matter period. No cure yet.

I have been on over 50 cruises without getting it. Almost always use cabin toilets. But I got NORO in my hometown, most likely at our Senior Center. It was the worst 3 days of my life. Wracking ab. pains . Like being in labor. So wash your hands in soapy hot water for 30 seconds please.

 

Yep. Also a Goid idea not to get fecal matter on your hands. And wash, sanitizer well.....? Most doctors doubt its effectiveness.

 

A close friend got it In hospital.

[Aus Traveller]

Niro still spreads in places without self service.

 

Never seen self service in a nursing home, but sometimes Moro rages through one. Same for hospital wards.

 

To be honest respitory infections worry me much more on a cruise than Noro so should Air Conditioning go too.

I agree. colds, flu and respiratory infections worry me more than noro. I can protect myself against noro, but it is hard to protect yourself against the common cold or the flu.

 

I haven't ever caught noro on a cruise but several times I had caught a cold that has turned to bronchitis (twice to pneumonia).

Edited February 4, 2016 by Aus Traveller