In light of recent Gem illnesses how do they really...

[cacj]

We have sailed and witnessed how diligently crew work around the ship to sanitize walls, elevators, dining, and hallways/railings/public spaces.

 

But with turnaround time so fast once the ship enters port, all passengers debark and embarkation starts, how on earth do the room stewards really sanitize all the surfaces in the staterooms?

 

We feel assured all the public areas are done meticulously, during all hours of the day and night.

 

But when a stateroom is occupied...just how is it possible to fully sanitize the cabin in such a short time as is the window between debarkation and embarkation?

 

We know that sanitization of the public spaces is ongoing, and often occurs during hours when ship is in port (while passengers are off on excursions).

 

But how does a steward who has X amount of cabins thoroughly prepare a stateroom, insuring that it is as clean as possible for the new guests?

 

Inquiring minds want to know here, seriously.

[lenquixote66]

We were on the GEM 3 weeks ago . Our cabin had been sanitized after an outbreak of a respiratory illness on the ship .However,a day later we had a plumbing issue in our cabin and after it was resolved asked our cabin steward to re-sanitize the cabin ,specifically the bathroom and it was never done.

[fshagan]

I don't know the answer, but I do know our own sanitizing routine for the cabin when we first get into it takes about 20 minutes. And we aren't rushing.

 

And, unlike public spaces, it only has to be done once when you first get into the cabin. So I suspect that doing a cabin at turn-around is less of a chore than doing public spaces, where your efforts only last until the next person comes along and touches it.

[davesgirl51]

I don't know the answer, but I do know our own sanitizing routine for the cabin when we first get into it takes about 20 minutes. And we aren't rushing.

 

And, unlike public spaces, it only has to be done once when you first get into the cabin. So I suspect that doing a cabin at turn-around is less of a chore than doing public spaces, where your efforts only last until the next person comes along and touches it.

 

Hi :)

 

Would you mind sharing your routine ? I got pneumonia 4 times last year. Thanks. Cinci:)

[mark10197]

I'm on board the Gem right now, and there has already been non stop cleaning. I have walked into the room while my cabin steward was cleaning twice now, and both times he was hands and knees deep cleaning, with disinfectant. I know my towels are changed everyday regardless if rehang them or not, and the linen has been changed at least once. Not sure if this is standard practice, but I have yet to be anything but pleased with cleanliness on board.

 

I would not be concerned with the level of cleanliness on board following embarkation. This may be my first cruise, but I have no reason to believe that there would not be a sufficient top to bottom cleaning of every room prior to embarkation, given the cleanliness efforts that have already been made.

[Loonbeam]

There are multiple levels of cleaning, the highest which will result in a delayed embarkation. Not sure exactly what NCL uses, but as an example, rooms can be fog sprayed with disinfectant among other things (typically, thats only done for rooms with known direct contamination). There are also topical solutions that sit on hard surfaces (fabric does not actually carry noro well unless damp, hence changing of towels) and special focus on areas you are likely to touch.

 

Generally, the issue for recurrence for me is not the ship, its the terminal. All those lovely exposed passengers are exiting via the same stairs, elevators and using the same restrooms as incoming passengers, and I really really doubt the terminal staff practices the same level of diligence as ship's crew, which will bring the bug right back on board. Add that to people who don't report and what the crew can do is limited.

 

With that in mind, the best steps to avoid it are:

 

1> DO NOT TOUCH ANY FOOD after boarding until you have had a chance to wash your hands thoroughly. Just think of all those people who went up the escalators, down the gangway and went right to the buffet to grab tongs, which leads to:

 

2> If possible, avoid buffet for embarkation lunch. See above. By dinner, most items will have been cycled and sanitized

 

3> Wash hands before eating. Even if you washed them 10 mins ago. (Kudos BTW to the lines that are putting wash stations outside the buffet and enforcing use)

 

4> Avoid public restrooms whenever possible. Yes, its a long walk to the other end of the ship sometimes, but even longer when you are trying to keep dinner down.

 

If you can't wash, sanitize.

 

 

 

4>

[davesgirl51]

Although my question specifically asked "fshagan" what their routine was to sanitize their cabin ...

 

I will add to the above poster's remarks about hand washing ...

 

Most specifically, the follow - through in the restroom. With the exception of the newer ships, one has to use their dirty hands to turn the faucet on.

 

That being the case, those handles are really dirty.

 

How many people then turn off the faucet with their clean hands or clothes and then open the door to exit?

 

Leave the water running for 3 seconds, grab a paper towel, dry your hands, turn off the water, wipe the mess you have made and use the same towel to open the door. THEN toss the towel into the little trash can that is always by the door. :)

[myra711]

Although my question specifically asked "fshagan" what their routine was to sanitize their cabin ...

 

I will add to the above poster's remarks about hand washing ...

 

Most specifically, the follow - through in the restroom. With the exception of the newer ships, one has to use their dirty hands to turn the faucet on.

 

That being the case, those handles are really dirty.

 

How many people then turn off the faucet with their clean hands or clothes and then open the door to exit?

 

Leave the water running for 3 seconds, grab a paper towel, dry your hands, turn off the water, wipe the mess you have made and use the same towel to open the door. THEN toss the towel into the little trash can that is always by the door. :)

 

 

I have been doing that for about 25 years now, in every public restroom, ever since an MD mentioned that the hot water faucet is the most contaminated place in the bathroom.

[Orleanscruiser]

We have sailed and witnessed how diligently crew work around the ship to sanitize walls, elevators, dining, and hallways/railings/public spaces.

 

But with turnaround time so fast once the ship enters port, all passengers debark and embarkation starts, how on earth do the room stewards really sanitize all the surfaces in the staterooms?

 

We feel assured all the public areas are done meticulously, during all hours of the day and night.

 

But when a stateroom is occupied...just how is it possible to fully sanitize the cabin in such a short time as is the window between debarkation and embarkation?

 

We know that sanitization of the public spaces is ongoing, and often occurs during hours when ship is in port (while passengers are off on excursions).

 

But how does a steward who has X amount of cabins thoroughly prepare a stateroom, insuring that it is as clean as possible for the new guests?

 

Inquiring minds want to know here, seriously.

 

First thing in my luggage is a box of lysol towel and sanitizer

once in our cabin I will wipe all surface with the towel

Edited March 20, 2016 by Orleanscruiser

[gwsster]

I take these little wonders (Clorox or Lysol wipes) and wipe down the tray tables and seat back pockets and armrests and any remote controls on the airplane, then do the same thing in our ships cabin....takes about 20 minutes, all knobs, handles, remotes and surfaces. Realistically it may not make a difference but it doesn't hurt. I avoid handrails, wash my hands and also use the paper towel to open the door and try to avoid the buffet during peak hours, mostly because I don't like the mad house and tend to use the dining rooms for quieter dining.

In reality you can be exposed anywhere and could get this crud at home. It just is much worse on a ship where if one has it, they spread the "crud" and ruin someone else vacation. It can and will spread to other travelers in a closed community like a ship or Hotel or School.

 

First thing in my luggage is a box of lysol towel and sanitizer

once in our cabin I will wipe all surface with the towel

Edited March 20, 2016 by gwsster

[Gregor4500]

Hi :)

 

Would you mind sharing your routine ? I got pneumonia 4 times last year. Thanks. Cinci:)

 

Wow, If you haven't been vaccinated in the past 5 years get one. Even if you have get the Prevnar 13.

Edited March 20, 2016 by Gregor4500

[Jane Don]

Hard surfaces is where noro lives. And it is virulent. Most regular cleansers do little to eradicate the virus. I always bring some wipes approved by the EPA for killing noro. There is no way every hard surface in every cabin can be adequately cleaned on turnaround day.

 

In the terminal, keep your hands in your pocket. Avoid door knobs, handles and railings like they are the virus. Wash frequently. Sanitizers are not enough.

 

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/14/really-the-claim-hand-sanitizer-stops-norovirus-spread/

 

As soon as you get your cabin, disinfect yourself with something on this list:

 

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/list_g_norovirus.pdf

 

CDC on noro:

 

http://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/preventing-infection.html

 

Use paper towel or toilet tissue to turn off bathroom faucets and open bathroom doors.

 

Keep your hands to yourself whenever possible.

 

In a land based resort, management can call staff in and hire services to do a thorough cleanse. Ships can't. Better safe than blow $5K on a poopy vacation.

Edited March 20, 2016 by Jane Don

[tumblew467]

Hard surfaces is where noro lives. And it is virulent. Most regular cleansers do little to eradicate the virus. I always bring some wipes approved by the EPA for killing noro. There is no way every hard surface in every cabin can be adequately cleaned on turnaround day.

 

In the terminal, keep your hands in your pocket. Avoid door knobs, handles and railings like they are the virus. Wash frequently. Sanitizers are not enough.

 

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/14/really-the-claim-hand-sanitizer-stops-norovirus-spread/

 

As soon as you get your cabin, disinfect yourself with something on this list:

 

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/list_g_norovirus.pdf

 

CDC on noro:

 

http://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/preventing-infection.html

 

Use paper towel or toilet tissue to turn off bathroom faucets and open bathroom doors.

 

Keep your hands to yourself whenever possible.

 

In a land based resort, management can call staff in and hire services to do a thorough cleanse. Ships can't. Better safe than blow $5K on a poopy vacation.

 

 

 

The epa list of cleaning agents are very powerful. You cannot use the wipes with you bare hands. you must wear gloves when using them, just a FYI

[lenquixote66]

The casino is the easiest place to get sick . The ships will never post anything about using the slot machines .

[davesgirl51]

Wow, If you haven't been vaccinated in the past 5 years get one. Even if you have get the Prevnar 13.

 

Yes, I have been vaccinated against everything. But, thanks :)

[gikkeroo]

I board the Gem tomorrow with my 2 small children and elderly in-laws. I was planning to just bring some Clorox wipes, but after word of the recent situation, I am now bringing hospital grade germicide wipes and gloves (helps to have a friend whose parents own a senior health facility!) and I plan to wipe down all surfaces before allowing my kids (and husband) to touch anything.

 

My healthy 27 yr old husband was hospitalized with the norovirus 6 years ago (caught at the school he was teaching at, not on a ship) and it was scary. He dehydrated so quickly, he passed out, his BP was so incredibly low that he was kept in the cardiac ICU for 2 days.

 

I am not typically a nervous person but my 6 yr old is a nail biter. Of course I correct the behavior every time I see it, but nothing is 100%. Can't risk anything!

 

I just want to relax.

[Sizzlechest]

This may seem like a drastic measure, but you could get your DNA tested to see if you are immune to the norovirus. I am, but my wife and child are not.

[Jenjer]

We sailed on Quantum right after a noro outbreak.

 

First of all we didn't board until 3 hours later because of cleaning. Everything was sticky.

 

All magazines and books where removed from the rooms.

 

In the restaurants nothing was on the tables, no salt, pepper, no wrapped silver, nothing.

 

You could not get your own drinks everything had to be handed to you even in the buffet.

 

There where people wiping down every surface all the time with a cleaner that was sticky when it dried. Some people felt like they got sick from the cleaner.

[gikkeroo]

We sailed on Quantum right after a noro outbreak.

 

First of all we didn't board until 3 hours later because of cleaning. Everything was sticky.

 

 

well that's gross!

[Jenjer]

The cleaner left a film on everything and the only plus side was it reminded you wash your hands all the freaking time.

[spidybabe]

The casino is the easiest place to get sick . The ships will never post anything about using the slot machines .

 

We have always wondered how they clean the chips from the table games. Anybody kn9ow?

Safe sailling

[lenquixote66]

We have always wondered how they clean the chips from the table games. Anybody kn9ow?

Safe sailling

 

Whenever I am in a casino whether on a ship or on land I always have Purell with me .

[Barb Nahoumi]

After guests disembark, are pillows and blankets changed out?

[jusstice]

On the Anthem, right after the outbreak, the casino made use use hand wipes at the craps table when buying in. Not sure what they did at the card tables.

 

The sticky film was everywhere on the ship, and you couldn't move an inch without someone wiping the spot you had been in. Didn't mind though. Best thing they had was the forced march to the sinks at the buffet by anyone entering. No wash-washy spray- it was straight up go to the sink and scrub up.

Edited March 21, 2016 by jusstice

[Loonbeam]

Assuming they are the same as the casinos on land there's a machine that does it, kind of like a little commercial dishwasher. Chips get put in a tray then fired through one by one quickly.

 

The newer chips are also coated with microban or something similar. Money is far worse than the chips.

We have always wondered how they clean the chips from the table games. Anybody kn9ow?

Safe sailling