Riviera on Code Red again

[hypercafe]

I have never seen a ship turned away from so many ports since the St. Louis. If I was the Captain I might resign.

[Noxequifans]

I do not think the food from Miami is at fault. Many ships come to the port each week and have no problem.

 

I would be surprised If Oceania uses the same provisioner as the mass market lines. Small operators generally do not have the same inspection and quality controls as larger firms. As an example, the recent problems at Chipotle may have been their strategy of using locally sourced farms.

 

I am not suggesting a change for O but every possible link must be evaluated to identify the source of contagion.

[Wren3]

Sorry you are sick. I remember your questions before you sailed, how was the rest of your trip. I do not blame you for changing your plans, however there are many ships in the sea. I hope you feel better!

 

Thanks hypercafe, feeling a bit better this afternoon. Soda crackers and ginger ale all week. I think I lost what I gained on board :)

 

Our trip on the Riviera was very nice. It is a beautiful ship and was very clean and polished.

 

We ate at Toscano, Polo Grill, the Grand Dining Room and Terrace Café el fresco and all was quite lovely and delicious. The staff worked diligently in those dining venues however we did notice that in the Terrace Café and Waves Grill during the day, the wait staff seemed to be tired and in need of a break as I would recognize them from the dining venues the night before so they were working long hours between venues.

 

I overheard some loud bickering in the dining room between two waiters and on one occasion in the Terrace Café a waiter lost his temper and was verbally upset, not sure what about but he was voicing some frustration. I did not put too much into that as I knew what stress they had been under prior to our arrival with the noro virus issues and clean up.

 

I did partake in a port day facial special and it was very rejuvenating although I felt pressure to buy a product recommendation from the beautician. The facial was $169 with a 18% gratuity surcharge automatically added to the bill for a one hour facial.

 

Barista's is a great spot to get your cappuccino and for those wondering if they had teas available I can advise that they do have a wide selection of them to chose from.

 

The internet was always available and we made us of it when needed.

 

The pool area has sunny and shaded spots to everyone's liking. I will say there was the proverbial chair reservations going on as we witnessed throughout the cruise with no exception. I saw many people looking for a lounge chair but they were all reserved with books, hats or bags. I felt badly for those folks looking at dozens of empty lounges that they could not use and knowing that they had been reserved for the better part of the morning or afternoon . The staff do not remove items after a half an hour despite what the sign states on the pool deck. I even saw people take two lounges in the shade and two in the sun and switch back and forth throughout the day.

 

As for the sanitation dispenses. They are everywhere they should be however in the dining venues there was no one standing beside them to enforce usage and 7 out of 10 people would walk past them without sanitizing so that is a real concern.

[HockeyDAD73]

As I sit here on my balcony and see Aruba 3 miles off in the distance, I am reflecting on why my wife and I chose Oceania for the first time. It was primarily to stop in Aruba. As you know now, that is not going to happen.

 

I am not saying it's Oceania's fault for this outbreak, but I am blaming them. To little, to late. This ship is the scourge of the Caribbean. We will be lucky to see any ports between now and our return to Miami, which I would recommend we set sail for today.

 

The capitan does not mention what the % of outbreak is currently, but the cruise director let it slip in her announcement that it was "increasing." It feels like we are in the movie "Contagion." Unless you stay in your cabin for the duration, it is just a matter of time before you are struck down. And by the way, my hands feel like they are in a commercial for soap and gel use. Unfortunately, there is a cohort of other passengers onboard do not seem to take it so seriously and practice similar sanitary procedures, I will also include the crew here. There lack luster attempt to "look" like they are putting forth and all-hands effort is a joke to someone with a trained eye on how to eradicate this issue from the boat. They're is absolutely no visible supervision of crew members on how they are supposed to do proper sanitation, so they are left to do it "hit or miss."

 

If they would just get close enough to the shore, it may be tempting to dive in and go to the airport and fly back.

 

In all my years of cruising, this is hands down the worst ship, and worst line. Never again on this floating Petri dish they refer to as a cruise line.

 

So please, someone send the Navy or Marines to rescue us!!! Those of us that are not sick are holding our breath and waiting..........

[bitob]

They need to take this ship out of service and fumigate it. We would not sail on it

[globevest]

On the Nov/Dec Riviera TA (the start of this noro phase) the Bermuda heath authority banned us from docking.....and that was a scheduled two day stop. Passengers were pretty upset. Nassau was substituted.

[Wren3]

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2016/03/articles/norovirus/norovirus-on-the-oceania-riviera-again/

 

http://outbreaknewstoday.com/cruise-ship-outbreak-oceania-riviera-reports-norovirus-3rd-time-in-recent-months-20447/

 

Riviera back in the news again with norovirus on board with 52 cases as of yesterday.

Edited March 24, 2016 by Wren3

[MVPinBoynton]

There are currently 67 passengers 5.67% and one crew sick. Still having a great time; but hopefully stop in Bonaire tomorrow.

[Wren3]

That's a huge jump in sick passengers within one day ~ 52 confirmed yesterday and now 67 plus one crew confirmed today.

[HeatherInFlorida]

They need to take this ship out of service and fumigate it. We would not sail on it

 

Not sure how much more fumigating they can do than before our 2/22 cruise. I am so sorry to read this. I so hoped they'd finally licked it. They may have to take her out of service.

 

It even crosses my mind that perhaps there is a "carrier" among the crew, someone showing no symptoms at all. I read that's possible.

 

Whatever it is, it doesn't help anyone on board right now. I feel so terrible for everyone including the crew. They have to be so done with all this.

[eroller]

Lots of "sick ships" so far this year (see attachment). The good news is that if you look at historical data, once April passes there are virtually no cases on any ships until the Fall.

 

I'm guessing RIVIERA will be fine once they get through April. In the meantime those sailing need to be extra careful. Keep in mind the vast majority of passengers (roughly 95%) are healthy.

 

 

 

Edited March 25, 2016 by eroller

[Mura]

I'm not so sure about predictions that once you get to April you are safe from Noro outbreaks. It was last April when Marina had an outbreak ... although it was resolved relatively quickly. Nothing like what Riviera has been going through.

 

And when people talk about it's a "winter" or "summer" condition, are they taking into account just what part of the world we are talking about? Summer in the northern hemisphere is winter "down below".

 

I believe that what *I* heard last year was that Noro is more prevalent in warmer weather.

 

Mura

[eroller]

I'm not so sure about predictions that once you get to April you are safe from Noro outbreaks. It was last April when Marina had an outbreak ... although it was resolved relatively quickly. Nothing like what Riviera has been going through.

 

And when people talk about it's a "winter" or "summer" condition, are they taking into account just what part of the world we are talking about? Summer in the northern hemisphere is winter "down below".

 

I believe that what *I* heard last year was that Noro is more prevalent in warmer weather.

 

Mura

 

 

I'm going strictly by CDC statistics. For the past 3 years (2013, 2014, 2015) there were zero cases reported by the CDC for cruises that began in May all the way until September. This is not to say there were no cases at all, as 3% is required for the CDC to get involved.

 

This seems to dispel your theory that noro is more prevalent in warm climates. I think it's just the opposite. I live in South Florida. It's warm here year round. I don't hear anything about noro outbreaks except on cruise ships, and those ships are all around globe. If anything I'm guessing people from colder climates are bringing it with them.

[riandei]

They need to take this ship out of service and fumigate it. We would not sail on it

 

my thoughts

 

unfortunately ...they have my money and we will be sailing her the end of april

[PaulMCO]

We are on Nautica right now. Fortunately clean...

Would think some issues on the bigger ships has to do with size and number of people.

 

Just reading this thread and 1/2 day of observations it is easy to see why Noro can spread so quickly.

 

1) Grayer population -- that is more immune compromised. Very gray now and feel very young :)

2) No enforcement of hand sanitation at dining venues.

3) Saw this morning people picking Biscotti and croissants at Baristas with hands

4) Picking up plates and putting them back at Terrace

5) Breakfast staff shorthanded handed -- the smoke salmon and bread areas unmanned and people serving themselves..

 

Yuck -- enough to make you crawl back to your germ free room :)

Edited March 25, 2016 by PaulMCO

[eroller]

my thoughts

 

unfortunately ...they have my money and we will be sailing her the end of april

 

They already did this recently. For two days in fact sitting in Miami.

 

A couple healthy cruises followed then the current one. It doesn't matter how much the ship is cleaned if people bring on a new batch of viruses.

[Bowie MeMe]

I am so sorry for you. :( We enjoy your reviews and practically follow your advice verbatim! You deserve a nice cruise. :)

 

 

;) With a 12-48 hour incubation period, they may not know they are sick when boarding, but so unusual to have 11 sick at the same time when the cruise started on Sunday.

 

I just came back from my little church (about 70 members) and in the last 2 weeks about 20+ have had more or less -- norovirus. One school closed and local hospital not allowing visitors. Did you read about us on CC or in the newspaper? Don't think so.

 

You bring people and their germs from all corners of the country - maybe even the world. Incubate for hours smashed into an airplane where your germs are my germs hoorah hoorah! Then you put all those people on a nice CLEAN ship and mix in well with the sanitizer skippers and the I don't feel thaaaat bad folks and the I'm not paying for a Dr. I'm just tired souls. And the one which describes me -- I am not eating yellow jello for 2 days person!

 

Well what do you expect?? I also am bothered when one person gets sick -- the crew comes in with gowns and masks on and gloves. But well partner/spouse has one place to sleep/be -- right next to old Mr. Sickie!! He is on cabin prison but Mrs Well goes to buffet/dinner/staircase rails etc. 30 hours later they change places but Mrs Well has done a great job of carrying germs to the other folks. (AND NO I should not be on cabin prison too because I am well -- at least for now. Probably 50/50 chance I won't get it -- sometimes I don't honest!)

 

It is not a ship problem. Norovirius on a ship is just easy to spot and document and CDC makes them report it. Norovirius on the shopping buggy or the taxi seat or even the airplane -- crowd disperses each to their own place where they get sick in lonely misery! Keep your immune system strong, your hands clean, and say a prayer it is not your turn to be King of the Throne.

[Mura]

I'm going strictly by CDC statistics. For the past 3 years (2013, 2014, 2015) there were zero cases reported by the CDC for cruises that began in May all the way until September. This is not to say there were no cases at all, as 3% is required for the CDC to get involved.

 

This seems to dispel your theory that noro is more prevalent in warm climates. I think it's just the opposite. I live in South Florida. It's warm here year round. I don't hear anything about noro outbreaks except on cruise ships, and those ships are all around globe. If anything I'm guessing people from colder climates are bringing it with them.

 

 

Eroller, not MY theory at all ... just what I was told by others.

 

We were on Marina, Lima to NYC in April/May 2015. The outbreak happened after a few days, in the very warm weather of Central America. It seemed to be contained by the time we arrived in NYC and as I recall we were told then that cooler weather should eliminate the problem.

 

As Lyn will tell you, there was another outbreak (I think on the Montreal-Southampton leg after the NYC-Montreal leg) ... but from what I have heard, the northern cool weather DID end the outbreak. I have not heard that it continued on Marina the way it has recently on Riviera.

 

I'm no expert here and don't claim to be one. I'm just confused when I hear some people say the problem is more prevalent in "warm" weather and others say just the opposite!

 

My only experience with Noro was in warm weather. I hope NOT to experience it again (although we did not suffer from it personally beyond a day or so, and I suspect we didn't have Noro, just a typical intestinal bug that quickly disappeared).

 

Mura

[Oceans&Rivers]

0 crew sick out of 776. Got to be kidding. Someone is fudging the numbers. Just can not be.

 

I agree.

[LHT28]

Mura

I am not sure it was resolved that quickly

It started in Lima to NYC on your cruise

I have seen many cruises that have Lima stop seem to get sick ship syndrome

Then it was clear from NYC to Montreal

On the Montreal to Southampton (may/June) it start again about day 5 or 6 & continued through to the Baltic & into July

 

The CDC only report ship that port in the USA

when in Europe or other parts of the world it is not reported on the CDC site

 

it is truly disappointing to hear they cannot get a grip on it

in the big picture 68 people out of 2000 is not a major outbreak but it is not pleasant for those affected that is for sure

Maybe people who are sick are just not reporting to the medical centre for fear of being locked in their cabin as noted on a previous cruise

people were going to dinner , shopping & playing in the casino while supposedly confined to their cabins

this is how it spreads

 

I would like to believe that it will end when April comes but I gave up believing in fairy tales long ago

[jeffw47]

We are on Nautica right now. Fortunately clean...

Would think some issues on the bigger ships has to do with size and number of people.

 

Just reading this thread and 1/2 day of observations it is easy to see why Noro can spread so quickly.

 

1) Grayer population -- that is more immune compromised. Very gray now and feel very young :)

2) No enforcement of hand sanitation at dining venues.

3) Saw this morning people picking Biscotti and croissants at Baristas with hands

4) Picking up plates and putting them back at Terrace

5) Breakfast staff shorthanded handed -- the smoke salmon and bread areas unmanned and people serving themselves..

 

Yuck -- enough to make you crawl back to your germ free room :)

 

My wife and I are on the Riveria now and I think Paul's comments are the best I've read. This same thing was happening on the Riveria before all the noro started. I hardly saw anyone use the hand sanitizer before going into the dining areas. So far so good for my wife and I. It's still a beautiful ship, great food and wonderful crew(who I feel really sorry for).

[Frncie]

Mura

 

 

The CDC only report ship that port in the USA

when in Europe or other parts of the world it is not reported on the CDC site

 

...

 

I would like to believe that it will end when April comes but I gave up believing in fairy tales long ago

 

I have been wondering about this for a while. What happens when the Riviera makes its transatlantic crossing in April, calls at Barcelona, then Athens, then proceeds with various Mediterranean routes? Like LHT, it is my understanding that the CDC is not involved if there is not a visit to a US port. Will the health authorities in Venice or Barcelona or Palermo or Athens require measures to be taken in case of another outbreak? Who decides? Who has jurisdiction, if anyone?

Edited March 25, 2016 by Frncie

[LHT28]

I have been wondering about this for a while. What happens when the Riviera makes its transatlantic crossing in April, calls at Barcelona, then Athens, then proceeds with various Mediterranean routes? Like LHT, it is my understanding that the CDC is not involved if there is not a visit to a US port. Will the health authorities in Venice or Barcelona or Palermo or Athens require measures to be taken in case of another outbreak? Who decides? Who has jurisdiction, if anyone?

There must be some organization in Europe that is equivalent to the CDC

I know the UK has ship inspections but not sure of the name

[Cruising is amusing]

I also started experiencing gastro issues on March 21, the day after my March 13 cruise ended.

[ORV]

Wren, I hope you are starting to feel better. I am recovering slowly.

 

Everyone is wondering why only the Riviera is having these serious Norovirus issues but none of the other Oceania ships. I read that Norovirus can get onto a cruise ship with the food that is brought on for the kitchen to prepare. I believe that for some months now the Riviera has been restocking every week or so in Miami while all other Oceania ships are in other parts of the world. Could there be something about the food from Miami that is contributing to the problem? The focus on this board has mainly been on the passengers and staff.

 

Yeah, that's it, that explains how the first in the chain, the TA from Barcelona got it. :rolleyes: