Noro on Riviera again

[ORV]

I don't. I think they're the lucky ones. I wish I hadn't. At this point there's nothing you can do but cancel. And I'm betting practically no one would do that. Way TMI for me and I'd give good money to drive to the port tomorrow with no info other than what Oceania has told us.

 

It was lousy. No one denies that, but now it's "I heard this" or "I heard that" and I'm sure more horror stories will follow. Other than having been affected on this cruise, it can't get more depressing than reading this thread.

 

Oceania is doing a major cleaning of the ship and it will be thoroughly inspected before we board tomorrow. If it doesn't get a full green light by health officials, I suspect we will not be allowed to board. Otherwise I'm confident that at least for now all will be well.

 

Yet it's hard not to read once you start. Catch 22

 

Good luck on your cruise.

[sa cruiser52]

We are first time Oceania cruisers just back from shortened riveria cruise. Unbelievable experience. We did not get sick but from the first day we were affected by an illness that Oceania knew of and waited until we boarded to notify us. If we had known we would have delayed. Now not sure we will rebook. Because of lack of communication and unbelievably unconcern by the staff and management. We were offered 25 per event refund although 100 percent of cruise affected. And a most presumptuous 25 percent future cruise credit which is good for a short time. It will take us a long time to think well of Oceania. I would advice cancellation until this ship is cleared of illness. Don't be their next guinea pigs. Please know this is offered with the upmost concern for you and your experience.

[eroller]

Still seems very strange that only 3 of the crew were sick.

 

 

 

I would also say that if a crew member gets sick, action is taken right away and the crew member is relieved of duty and isolated immediately. There is really no choice in the matter, and this certainly helps contain the virus.

 

Passengers on the other can be selfish. Some have the mentality that "they paid for this cruise" and therefore will do what they want. Even if that means spreading their illness to others. Sad but true. Much harder to force isolation on a passenger, especially if they refuse to report the illness.

Edited February 21, 2016 by eroller

[LHT28]

Still seems very strange that only 3 of the crew were sick.

the crew are not sneaking off to the casino or the GDR

Once they get sick their fellow employees know & if they do not report it they can lose their jobs

Not the same for passengers

Maybe they need to start checking if the same passengers were on the Nov cruise & the Feb cruise :rolleyes:

[RJB]

the crew are not sneaking off to the casino or the GDR

Once they get sick their fellow employees know & if they do not report it they can lose their jobs

Not the same for passengers

Maybe they need to start checking if the same passengers were on the Nov cruise & the Feb cruise :rolleyes:

The only thing that is probably the same on the Nov. cruise and the Feb. cruise is the crew. Still have to look there I think.

[RJB]

Ok thanks.

 

Crew numbers are always much lower. Like I mentioned they are ALWAYS taking the proper precautions. Passengers aren't.

 

Two other things to watch out for are cell phones and TV remote controls. Two other great carriers of the virus.

First thing we did when we boarded on 2/12 was clean the remote controls and phones twice.

[warburg]

We will be boarding Riviera in April. Reading posts about medical center costs and quarantine, I have a few questions:

1. Is visiting the medical center for an illness that really has to run its course really a good suggestion?

2. If I get sick, will my husband be quarantined?

3. How long is the quarantine period?

I am hoping that by mid April Riviera will be healthy once again. I foresee major problems if it isn't, because our cruise is a transatlantic with most days at sea. Some of the excitement and anticipation of sailing on Riviera again has been lessened. Hearing how the Oceania management (not the ship's staff) has handled this crisis is very disappointing to say the least!

 

pthjudy, we are on the same transatlantic, and you are right on point. Sea days without activities and restrictions will be hellish. If the noro isn't eradicated after this cleansing, what then? We have all made final payment, and air arrangements.

 

Mary

[eroller]

The only thing that is probably the same on the Nov. cruise and the Feb. cruise is the crew. Still have to look there I think.

 

 

Crew is changing out all the time. Not just at turnaround ports but even mid-cruise. It all depends on when their contracts are up. Some crew have 4 month contracts, some 6 six months, and some longer. So crew is always coming and going. Some crew may have been on the November sailing and again in Feb, but certainly not all. Besides if the crew were truly the problem then why no illness in December and January? If the stationary crew were actually responsible, there would be serious outbreaks month after month. The CDC has many years history on Noro and cruise ships. The crew numbers are always far lower because the crew protect themselves and are trained. Passengers not so much.

 

This is definitely passengers bringing it on the ship, then spreading it to their fellow passengers.

 

It is the season for Noro. Almost all cases on cruise ships happen between November and April. Virtually none during the summer when ships are loaded with kids which is interesting in itself. Also none reported for Carnival during the last few years, which is also interesting because percentage wise they should have the most cases, since they are the largest cruise line carrying the most passengers. Having sailed on Carnival many times I don't really notice that they do anything differently, at least not on the surface. They do have a much younger passenger demographic and this may or may not have something to do with it.

Edited February 21, 2016 by eroller

[HeatherInFlorida]

Yet it's hard not to read once you start. Catch 22

 

Good luck on your cruise.

 

Thanks! Reading some posts I have to wonder how people have avoided this on other lines when we've been in Code Red several times on HAL and Celebrity and I have never known a line to over-communicate. The problem is that just like here if they were announce every day how many are sick and other gory details it just makes everyone crazy waiting for the ax to fall on them. So they provide a bare minimum of info.

 

I know we all react differently, but vowing never to hoard an Oceania ship again isn't going to eliminate the problem for anyone. JMO.

[sa cruiser52]

We spoke with passengers who were quarantined two days to six of the eight days of the cruise. And both husband and wife quarantined together. On the last days we had to show our shipboard cards at each restaurant to ensure we were not quarantined. Last night we were met at the Miami pier by all personnel wearing masks and gloves. We felt like outcasts. Then we boarded a bus for hotel paid for by Oceania. Today I'm sick and taking medicine.

Having survived the cruise, now I get sick. But there were many on the bus who had been quarantined. We should not have gotten on the bus. So sad an experience. And no 25 percent is not enough!

[eroller]

Thanks! Reading some posts I have to wonder how people have avoided this on other lines when we've been in Code Red several times on HAL and Celebrity and I have never known a line to over-communicate. The problem is that just like here if they were announce every day how many are sick and other gory details it just makes everyone crazy waiting for the ax to fall on them. So they provide a bare minimum of info.

 

 

 

 

Exactly Heather. This is one instance where they don't want to over-communicate and like you, I've never known any cruise to do so in this circumstance. I can't blame Oceania in this regard. They certainly don't want to incite a panic. Usually there is a letter in the cabin the first day letting people know of the Code Red, what precautions are being taken, and what precautions the person can take. That is it. Only in extreme cases where a cruise is being cut short, would additional communication be warranted. Oceania is not the only cruise line to cut short a cruise to combat Noro. It's happened on several other cruise lines as well. Unfortunately when you cruise this time of year, it's something you may have to contend with.

[pthjudy]

pthjudy, we are on the same transatlantic, and you are right on point. Sea days without activities and restrictions will be hellish. If the noro isn't eradicated after this cleansing, what then? We have all made final payment, and air arrangements.

 

Mary

Let's keep our fingers crossed that noro will be a distant memory by April 11. See you on the ship!

[Caroldoll]

We spoke with passengers who were quarantined two days to six of the eight days of the cruise. And both husband and wife quarantined together. On the last days we had to show our shipboard cards at each restaurant to ensure we were not quarantined. Last night we were met at the Miami pier by all personnel wearing masks and gloves. We felt like outcasts. Then we boarded a bus for hotel paid for by Oceania. Today I'm sick and taking medicine.

Having survived the cruise, now I get sick. But there were many on the bus who had been quarantined. We should not have gotten on the bus. So sad an experience. And no 25 percent is not enough!

 

It is my understanding that there is no medication for Noro. What did they give you?

[RJB]

We spoke with passengers who were quarantined two days to six of the eight days of the cruise. And both husband and wife quarantined together. On the last days we had to show our shipboard cards at each restaurant to ensure we were not quarantined. Last night we were met at the Miami pier by all personnel wearing masks and gloves. We felt like outcasts. Then we boarded a bus for hotel paid for by Oceania. Today I'm sick and taking medicine.

Having survived the cruise, now I get sick. But there were many on the bus who had been quarantined. We should not have gotten on the bus. So sad an experience. And no 25 percent is not enough!

Should not have allowed sick people to get on same bus with others. We went home last night so we are still fine. Lucky we live so close. :):):)

[sa cruiser52]

It is my understanding that there is no medication for Noro. What did they give you?

 

We disembarked last night and I got sick today so they are unaware of those who got I'll after Saturday at 8pm. I am taking over the counter flu medicine.

[LHT28]

We disembarked last night and I got sick today so they are unaware of those who got I'll after Saturday at 8pm. I am taking over the counter flu medicine.

do you have NORO?

The symptoms are similar to flu

http://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/about/overview.html

Edited February 21, 2016 by LHT28

[GeezerCouple]

It is my understanding that there is no medication for Noro. What did they give you?

 

You should probably check with your own physician (or a travel clinic physician) about "what to do if you get noro/suspected noro".

 

It's tricky.

There are meds that can be taken to deal with the *symptoms", but not the underlying virus.

And IV fluids can be useful/necessary for someone, er, losing a great deal of fluids...

 

However, in terms of controlling symptoms, we've heard a variety of recommendations that included *not* trying to control symptoms, and letting the virus get fully eliminated from the body.

We are traveling again (land/business), and will definitely discuss this soon with both our regular physician and travel clinic physician.

 

If it is true that it is contagious before symptoms appear, especially, and also for a few days after symptoms have stopped... well... that doesn't bode well for preventing/containing an outbreak.

 

I'm still wondering if there isn't perhaps one or more "Typhoid Mary/Mel" types on board, among the crew (junior all the way to very senior).

[CruiserPK]

We spoke with passengers who were quarantined two days to six of the eight days of the cruise. And both husband and wife quarantined together. On the last days we had to show our shipboard cards at each restaurant to ensure we were not quarantined. Last night we were met at the Miami pier by all personnel wearing masks and gloves. We felt like outcasts. Then we boarded a bus for hotel paid for by Oceania. Today I'm sick and taking medicine.

Having survived the cruise, now I get sick. But there were many on the bus who had been quarantined. We should not have gotten on the bus. So sad an experience. And no 25 percent is not enough!

 

I am so sorry you got sick today. We skipped the bus ride and took a cab last night after getting off the boat very early after they called for disembarkation. (No flaming please, it was our color called) We left the hotel at 6:00am this morning to avoid any further contact with anyone that might have contracted the Norovirus at the end of the cruise. We arm praying we stay well. Hopefully this doesn't last too long for you.

Edited February 21, 2016 by CruiserPK

[yarmyob]

Exactly Heather. This is one instance where they don't want to over-communicate and like you, I've never known any cruise to do so in this circumstance. I can't blame Oceania in this regard. They certainly don't want to incite a panic. Usually there is a letter in the cabin the first day letting people know of the Code Red, what precautions are being taken, and what precautions the person can take. That is it. Only in extreme cases where a cruise is being cut short, would additional communication be warranted. Oceania is not the only cruise line to cut short a cruise to combat Noro. It's happened on several other cruise lines as well. Unfortunately when you cruise this time of year, it's something you may have to contend with.

 

That makes some sense. However, in the case of the recently concluded cruise cut short, the captain did communicate to all passengers on the day we arrived in San Juan that the infection had diminished. The reality unfolded in a materially different direction. Next that we heard from the captain was that we were sailing back to Miami.

[Mura]

We were on the Marina cruise last spring that had Noro on board. I was feeling ill one day but took some OTC meds and felt better by the next day, which is when they made the announcement about 2% of the passengers having problems. (I clearly didn't have Noro but I confined myself to our suite anyway.)

 

That morning my husband went down to the infirmary to get some meds and was immediately quarantined. I would have been as well but I had already left the ship to lead a private tour I had arranged. Now we were both quarantined. Howard was released from quarantine the next morning so I don't think he had Noro either although he HAD had some intestinal difficulties.

 

One of the women on my tour was in the same situation I was: her husband was quarantined but she had left earlier so they didn't confine her to the room. He also was "freed" the next day.

 

Howard DID have to produce a "sample" for them which may be why he was released so early.

 

We were in a PH so we ordered dinner in from one of the restaurants (I'm not sure what he did for lunch, probably room service) which was served with ordinary plates and silverware. We weren't aware of special cleaning procedures in our room either.

 

Perhaps the situation was not deemed as serious at the time on Marina (as compared to what Riviera has gone through off and on since November). We didn't have to prove we were not quarantined by showing our room keys when entering dining rooms. People *were* encouraged to use sanitizers (which we always do anyway), but now I know we need to be more proactive so I have purchased some of the hydrogen peroxide wipes for use on our next cruise -- our next two cruises are on Nautica and Sirena, knock on wood, but we are booked for a Marina cruise in April 2017.

 

Good luck to everyone who is booked on Riviera in the near future.

 

Mura

[brazilgirl]

Some interesting info here...including the fact that the virus can survive from 2 to 4 weeks on surfaces.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/norovirus/page8_em.htm

 

So sorry to here about the ruined cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Travelcat2]

Did you get the bleach version?

 

http://www.amazon.com/SANI-CLOTH-BLEACH-Germicidal-Disposable-Wipe/dp/B00DJGRTKG/ref=pd_bxgy_121_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1CHD8E6KGWA5Q8TPNJ1H

 

There are quite a few different types, each effective for different specific pathogens.

 

The color is different from what we have.

 

Actually, the peroxide version arrived today (Amazon delivers on Sunday here) but will purchase the bleach version in the travel size before we leave on our next trip in May. After you posted about the travel size, I copied and pasted some of the items on the CDC list and did a Google search. Could not find some items but did find the bleach wipes that they recommend (the one I posted). I'm hopeful that items on the CDC listing would all work for norovirus.

 

brazilgirl: Thanks for your post as well. I did post something about how long the germs stay on surfaces a few pages back but think that it bears repeating for people new to this thread.

 

IMO, those who are trying to place blame may not get anywhere because anyone can walk onboard the ship and start touching surfaces - whether they have noro, or another virus, it will be contagious. Something as simple as a luggage handler in port carrying your luggage and then you pick it up to unpack could spread the virus.

 

I have some thoughts on the 25% as well but will post it on the other thread. In terms of this thread, hopefully we are all learning something that can help keep us well when we board any ship or airplane (or even when we touch a grocery cart handle...... I always use the disinfectant wipes that are supplied by the market but may keep some of the new wipes in my handbag for use during the winter months. It may be a pain in the butt but I don't want to be sick.

Edited February 22, 2016 by Travelcat2

[RJB]

You should probably check with your own physician (or a travel clinic physician) about "what to do if you get noro/suspected noro".

 

It's tricky.

There are meds that can be taken to deal with the *symptoms", but not the underlying virus.

And IV fluids can be useful/necessary for someone, er, losing a great deal of fluids...

 

However, in terms of controlling symptoms, we've heard a variety of recommendations that included *not* trying to control symptoms, and letting the virus get fully eliminated from the body.

We are traveling again (land/business), and will definitely discuss this soon with both our regular physician and travel clinic physician.

 

If it is true that it is contagious before symptoms appear, especially, and also for a few days after symptoms have stopped... well... that doesn't bode well for preventing/containing an outbreak.

 

I'm still wondering if there isn't perhaps one or more "Typhoid Mary/Mel" types on board, among the crew (junior all the way to very senior).

What the heck is a Travel Clinic Physician. Is that a new type of doctor are something made up? Never heard of that. Do I need another doctor or just another quack?

[buggins0402]

E

What the heck is a Travel Clinic Physician. Is that a new type of doctor are something made up? Never heard of that. Do I need another doctor or just another quack?

 

If you decide to travel outside the "usual" areas, you will probably meet one...you primary physician will not have the needed vaccinations and refer you to a travel physician.

[RJB]

E

 

If you decide to travel outside the "usual" areas, you will probably meet one...you primary physician will not have the needed vaccinations and refer you to a travel physician.

Are you talking about the jungles of Brazil? Or some places in Asia? No way a doctor can make a living treating the few who go there. Lets be real, there in no doctor who only does that. Is there a board who certifies them. Would think not. So it is a made up speciality. Let me know where i can find the board.