Crown NoroVirus

[mimismailbox]

1.)what time do you REALLY think doors will open to check-in?

2.)what time do you think we will REALLY get to embark?

3. do you think elite members can check-in as soon as doors open despite staggered check-in times???

thanks for your help!!!

[j3000]

it's all the stuff we DON'T see that bothers me... :)

[tooner1977]

We are currently waiting to disembark the Crown. They are already behind 45 minutes just on letting people off the ship. This in no way has anything to do with the Norovirus though, There were only 15 cases of norovirus and it did not hit until the 2nd day. They did a wonderful job of containing the virus from spreading. They did a deep cleaning during the first port day and I saw them taking mattresses and sealed luggage off the ship.I have to command Princess on the job well done.

[annee]

I was on the Crown Nov. 2014 when the two cruises before mine had a noro-virus outbreak so bad they were delayed a day. We didn't leave until 11 pm. When we got to the ship they took our luggage and you could either get on a bus for Ports of Call (down the pier) or Long Beach. Each floor was given a check in time for the evening. There were long lines in Long Beach to go back, but lots of buses. We were eating dinner at about 8 pm and muster was at 9:30 pm. Even after all the sanitizing there was still an outbreak on my cruise with many in isolation in their cabins, and constant alerts from the captain. There were also two small fires in the incinerator making this my last time on the Crown, after a pleasant one out of Florida.

[Astro Flyer]

We are currently waiting to disembark the Crown. They are already behind 45 minutes just on letting people off the ship. This in no way has anything to do with the Norovirus though, There were only 15 cases of norovirus and it did not hit until the 2nd day. They did a wonderful job of containing the virus from spreading. They did a deep cleaning during the first port day and I saw them taking mattresses and sealed luggage off the ship.I have to command Princess on the job well done.

Appreciate the update & happy that it was limited to 15 cases & that Princess is attempting to eliminate norovirus. That's great unless a couple of passengers with it board the ship today to share it with all of us. :(

[shredie]

Appreciate the update & happy that it was limited to 15 cases & that Princess is attempting to eliminate norovirus. That's great unless a couple of passengers with it board the ship today to share it with all of us. :(

 

Don't touch anything, Frank. :D Wish I were going with you. I like the Crown.

[Astro Flyer]

Don't touch anything, Frank. :D Wish I were going with you. I like the Crown.

 

Thanks & hopefully one day we'll meet on a cruise from our homeport of LA. :)

[land lover]

Welcome to Cruise Critic where no on ever moves on. ;) You'll get used to the way thing work around here. :D

 

 

 

Yours is the most truthful post of I've read in 10 years on CC....

 

:D:D L:)ri

[land lover]

Thanks & hopefully one day we'll meet on a cruise from our homeport of LA. :)

 

So these 15 cases were they pax or crew, does anyone know? When someone mentions seeing mattresses and "sealed luggage" being removed its not like a Pax was leaving in mid cruise so would they be sending a crew member home...or did i read the post incorrectly? Or maybe it was a med container that looked like luggage.

 

Just curious as embarking Crown the 23rd, also thanks 4 remembering us when u post later next week.

Edited April 16, 2016 by land lover

[dkrysansk]

I was on the Crown last year around that time doing a solo B2B LA to Esenada LA. Let me tell you, I experienced the delayed boarding due to the noro and sanitation. I was happy with the cleaning and did not mind the wait. All crew in the buffet area would not let anyone touch the tongs and served the food for the first 3 days. I did not mind this due to precaution. On my 2nd leg of my trip we were allowed to serve ourselves.

 

I was fine the entire time of trip until my departure of my trip waiting to board at the airport. That was when it hit me like a ton of bricks.. I had a head and neck pain, nausea and wanting to vomit. Not only that I had stomach pain. Hence should I say more.. I was scared that I could not control myself and might end up in the hospital. I hung on to every once ounce of strength asked the flight attendant for a gravel and requested to sit near the bathroom. You can imagine what my trip was like back home.. Agonizing..... When I managed to make it home which was a miracle.. I had to call in sick and was in a fetal position after that with hot and cold chills, nausea and diarrhea for 3-4 days..

 

Please take items for your precaution.

 

A Ziplock freezer bag to put your remote control in. This will protect you from either urine or fecal matter. This is the dirtiest because people come out of the bathroom and that is the first thing they touch.

 

Spray disinfectant with virus control and wet wipes clean your stateroom phone and any other surface area and handles in your room. Cabin steward only does a spot clean and have to clean other cabins and through cross contamination can bring it in your room. A secondary wipe down is highly recommended.

 

Avoid touching any elevator buttons keep a pen in your pocket and use to tap, hand rail, casino slot buttons etc. white cotton gloves can be kept in your pocket. You can buy at the dollar store or carry Kleenex.

 

Public washroom, if you have to go make sure you use a tissue when you latch or unlatch the door.

 

My niece works in Biotech. She said if I taken this precaution. I could of avoided this...

 

I know that is a lot to take in but I want you all to have safe and happy trip.

I learned my lesson and take all of the above precaution.. Nothing worse is have a ruined trip because of Noro.. It was the worse sickness that I ever had in my life and do not want to get it again.

 

Happy travels !

[dkrysansk]

I was on the Crown last year around that time doing a solo B2B LA to Esenada LA. Let me tell you, I experienced the delayed boarding due to the noro and sanitation. I was happy with the cleaning and did not mind the wait. All crew in the buffet area would not let anyone touch the tongs and served the food for the first 3 days. I did not mind this due to precaution. On my 2nd leg of my trip we were allowed to serve ourselves.

 

I was fine the entire time of trip until my departure of my trip waiting to board at the airport. That was when it hit me like a ton of bricks.. I had a head and neck pain, nausea and wanting to vomit. Not only that I had stomach pain. Hence should I say more.. I was scared that I could not control myself and might end up in the hospital. I hung on to every once ounce of strength asked the flight attendant for a gravel and requested to sit near the bathroom. You can imagine what my trip was like back home.. Agonizing..... When I managed to make it home which was a miracle.. I had to call in sick and was in a fetal position after that with hot and cold chills, nausea and diarrhea for 3-4 days..

 

Please take items for your precaution.

 

A Ziplock freezer bag to put your remote control in. This will protect you from either urine or fecal matter. This is the dirtiest because people come out of the bathroom and that is the first thing they touch.

 

Spray disinfectant with virus control and wet wipes clean your stateroom phone and any other surface area and handles in your room. Cabin steward only does a spot clean and have to clean other cabins and through cross contamination can bring it in your room. A secondary wipe down is highly recommended.

 

Avoid touching any elevator buttons keep a pen in your pocket and use to tap, hand rail, casino slot buttons etc. white cotton gloves can be kept in your pocket. You can buy at the dollar store or carry Kleenex.

 

Public washroom, if you have to go make sure you use a tissue when you latch or unlatch the door.

 

My niece works in Biotech. She said if I taken this precaution. I could of avoided this...

 

I know that is a lot to take in but I want you all to have safe and happy trip.

I learned my lesson and take all of the above precaution.. Nothing worse is have a ruined trip because of Noro.. It was the worse sickness that I ever had in my life and do not want to get it again.

 

Happy travels !

[land lover]

I was on the Crown last year around that time doing a solo B2B LA to Esenada LA. Let me tell you, I experienced the delayed boarding due to the noro and sanitation. I was happy with the cleaning and did not mind the wait. All crew in the buffet area would not let anyone touch the tongs and served the food for the first 3 days. I did not mind this due to precaution. On my 2nd leg of my trip we were allowed to serve ourselves.

 

I was fine the entire time of trip until my departure of my trip waiting to board at the airport. That was when it hit me like a ton of bricks.. I had a head and neck pain, nausea and wanting to vomit. Not only that I had stomach pain. Hence should I say more.. I was scared that I could not control myself and might end up in the hospital. I hung on to every once ounce of strength asked the flight attendant for a gravel and requested to sit near the bathroom. You can imagine what my trip was like back home.. Agonizing..... When I managed to make it home which was a miracle.. I had to call in sick and was in a fetal position after that with hot and cold chills, nausea and diarrhea for 3-4 days..

 

Please take items for your precaution.

 

A Ziplock freezer bag to put your remote control in. This will protect you from either urine or fecal matter. This is the dirtiest because people come out of the bathroom and that is the first thing they touch.

 

Spray disinfectant with virus control and wet wipes clean your stateroom phone and any other surface area and handles in your room. Cabin steward only does a spot clean and have to clean other cabins and through cross contamination can bring it in your room. A secondary wipe down is highly recommended.

 

Avoid touching any elevator buttons keep a pen in your pocket and use to tap, hand rail, casino slot buttons etc. white cotton gloves can be kept in your pocket. You can buy at the dollar store or carry Kleenex.

 

Public washroom, if you have to go make sure you use a tissue when you latch or unlatch the door.

 

My niece works in Biotech. She said if I taken this precaution. I could of avoided this...

 

I know that is a lot to take in but I want you all to have safe and happy trip.

I learned my lesson and take all of the above precaution.. Nothing worse is have a ruined trip because of Noro.. It was the worse sickness that I ever had in my life and do not want to get it again.

 

Happy travels !

 

Love the idea for the zip lick on the remote.....thanks for the very help reminders....

[j3000]

I was on the Crown last year around that time doing a solo B2B LA to Esenada LA. Let me tell you, I experienced the delayed boarding due to the noro and sanitation. I was happy with the cleaning and did not mind the wait. All crew in the buffet area would not let anyone touch the tongs and served the food for the first 3 days. I did not mind this due to precaution. On my 2nd leg of my trip we were allowed to serve ourselves.

 

I was fine the entire time of trip until my departure of my trip waiting to board at the airport. That was when it hit me like a ton of bricks.. I had a head and neck pain, nausea and wanting to vomit. Not only that I had stomach pain. Hence should I say more.. I was scared that I could not control myself and might end up in the hospital. I hung on to every once ounce of strength asked the flight attendant for a gravel and requested to sit near the bathroom. You can imagine what my trip was like back home.. Agonizing..... When I managed to make it home which was a miracle.. I had to call in sick and was in a fetal position after that with hot and cold chills, nausea and diarrhea for 3-4 days..

 

Please take items for your precaution.

 

A Ziplock freezer bag to put your remote control in. This will protect you from either urine or fecal matter. This is the dirtiest because people come out of the bathroom and that is the first thing they touch.

 

Spray disinfectant with virus control and wet wipes clean your stateroom phone and any other surface area and handles in your room. Cabin steward only does a spot clean and have to clean other cabins and through cross contamination can bring it in your room. A secondary wipe down is highly recommended.

 

Avoid touching any elevator buttons keep a pen in your pocket and use to tap, hand rail, casino slot buttons etc. white cotton gloves can be kept in your pocket. You can buy at the dollar store or carry Kleenex.

 

Public washroom, if you have to go make sure you use a tissue when you latch or unlatch the door.

 

My niece works in Biotech. She said if I taken this precaution. I could of avoided this...

 

I know that is a lot to take in but I want you all to have safe and happy trip.

I learned my lesson and take all of the above precaution.. Nothing worse is have a ruined trip because of Noro.. It was the worse sickness that I ever had in my life and do not want to get it again.

 

Happy travels !

 

Some non die-hard cruisers might ask: Why go at all, and take that chance?? crazy, huh?

Edited April 17, 2016 by jargey3000

[cruisequeen4ever]

The precautions may sound extreme, but they're quick and seamless to implement onboard. I've had noro twice (both times caught from my students at school, not on a cruise), and it's too horrible to risk getting on vacation. I'm happy to take any precautions to try to prevent it.

I hadn't thought of a solution for slots, so thank you to dkrysansk for the pen idea.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[1emerald1]

We were just advised of a delayed boarding for the Crown on Sat April 16th due to a current norovirus outbreak. They advise the terminal/ship will be closed until 3pm. They provided a boarding list by decks (time wise). Will Princess then honor the Elite/Plat boarding or do you just go along with your deck call? Has anyone heard about the current outbreak and/or any details?

I was on the cruise and did get the virus the second day of the cruise, lost 3 days because of it. Even though I brought Lysol wipes and thoroughly wiped down every inch of my cabin E730, before unpacking. The spin was that a passenger threw up in a lounge the first day during muster drill, then it became airborne. The crew completely cleaned every inch of the ship throughout the cruise, but too little too late. Then the last two days of the cruise we experience 18' swells, not one of my better cruises.....

[geocruiser]

I was on the cruise and did get the virus the second day of the cruise, lost 3 days because of it. Even though I brought Lysol wipes and thoroughly wiped down every inch of my cabin E730, before unpacking. The spin was that a passenger threw up in a lounge the first day during muster drill, then it became airborne. The crew completely cleaned every inch of the ship throughout the cruise, but too little too late. Then the last two days of the cruise we experience 18' swells, not one of my better cruises.....

 

Sorry to hear that you got sick. That is no fun. But just for some info, the virus (norovirus) is can not be caught by airborne transmissions.

 

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

[1emerald1]

Sorry to hear that you got sick. That is no fun. But just for some info, the virus (norovirus) is can not be caught by airborne transmissions.

 

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

Thank you, that was the spin from the ship's doctor. Was very disappointed in how Princess handled it, did not receive a single apology and the outbreak in general was very down played. In fact when the Captain first made the announcement he said that it was due to a major outbreak in the LA metro area. Could not find a single story on that...hope you enjoy your cruise!

[land lover]

I was on the cruise and did get the virus the second day of the cruise, lost 3 days because of it. Even though I brought Lysol wipes and thoroughly wiped down every inch of my cabin E730, before unpacking. The spin was that a passenger threw up in a lounge the first day during muster drill, then it became airborne. The crew completely cleaned every inch of the ship throughout the cruise, but too little too late. Then the last two days of the cruise we experience 18' swells, not one of my better cruises.....

 

 

So sorry to hear about ur illness.....especially since u went the extra mile cleaning everything....glad u had mini E730...with that extra space on the balcony. Happy u r feeling better and have made a full recovery.

So were there crew members sick too? According to the hear say only 15 were ill. We r going on the Crown next, Saturday any tips.

Edited April 17, 2016 by land lover

[Kamloops50]

I was on the cruise and did get the virus the second day of the cruise, lost 3 days because of it. Even though I brought Lysol wipes and thoroughly wiped down every inch of my cabin E730, before unpacking. The spin was that a passenger threw up in a lounge the first day during muster drill, then it became airborne. The crew completely cleaned every inch of the ship throughout the cruise, but too little too late. Then the last two days of the cruise we experience 18' swells, not one of my better cruises.....

 

You can clean the cabin all you want. The Noro can stay on hard surfaces for up to 15 days . The buffet is the most common cause of the Noro spreading thru out the ship. Many people don't wash their hands after the rest room. I find older people ( I'm one of them) have tendency not to wash hands . That is why it spreads so much in seniors facilities.

[1emerald1]

So sorry to hear about ur illness.....especially since u went the extra mile cleaning everything....glad u had mini E730...with that extra space on the balcony. Happy u r feeling better and have made a full recovery.

So were there crew members sick too? According to the hear say only 15 were ill. We r going on the Crown next, Saturday any tips.

I am not sure about the crew, whenever I'd inquire with staff about anything regarding the outbreak, mums the word. And I thoroughly enjoyed the balcony! Those are hard to get. I am feeling much better, thank you. Two days in quarantine, and I don't know why they feel the need to impose that, couldn't have left the cabin had I tried, third day no symptoms, just super weak and tired, no appetite, etc. Fourth day back to normal, then we hit the 18' swells for the last two days, oh well, looking forward to the next cruise.

[1emerald1]

So sorry to hear about ur illness.....especially since u went the extra mile cleaning everything....glad u had mini E730...with that extra space on the balcony. Happy u r feeling better and have made a full recovery.

So were there crew members sick too? According to the hear say only 15 were ill. We r going on the Crown next, Saturday any tips.

One final note, I was in the casino the first two nights and the 21 tables were filthy. And once I reported myself to the medical center my steward was removed from my cabin until I had been cleared. They have a special hazmat crew for the symptomatic passengers.

[easyboy]

Please take items for your precaution.

 

A Ziplock freezer bag to put your remote control in. This will protect you from either urine or fecal matter. This is the dirtiest because people come out of the bathroom and that is the first thing they touch.

 

Spray disinfectant with virus control and wet wipes clean your stateroom phone and any other surface area and handles in your room.

Thanks for reminding! I guess this precaution can also be extended to hotels.

[moviegal]

I was onboard the Crown Princess on the April 9, 2016 sailing when the norovirus outbreak happened. Here's my experience:

 

We were just sitting down for lunch in the main dining room when the captain came on the loudspeaker and said he had some "serious news" that demanded everyone's undivided attention. He said something about "Los Angeles area schools" which sent my husband and me into an instant panic -- we thought there had been a horrible attack or something -- lots of other passengers looked scared too. The captain should've made it clear that it was a health related announcement, especially since many passengers were from the L.A. area!

 

After lunch the ship's staff went into super cleaning mode. Everything was removed from the dining room tables (flowers, salt and pepper, bread baskets, sugar packets) and as soon as somebody would leave their table, staff wiped down the chairs and seats with a rag dipped in a bucket of some sort of super cleaning chemical. They were all over the ship wiping down elevator buttons, railings, deck chairs, everything. When we tendered in Cabo San Lucas someone was wiping down the ropes as they loaded the boats. We had a note in our cabins a day later asking us to remove all personal items from the bathroom counter, desk and other storage surfaces so they could "sanitize" all cabins.

 

I also found the buffet area to be particularly disgusting. We went up there the first day, walked through the food line, took nothing and NEVER WENT BACK to eat. My husband even said that he thought that buffet was "worse than the Windjammer Cafe on Royal Caribbean." Yeah, it was bad. It looked dirty, smelled awful, and had few appealing items. I'm not trying to review the food but I did see lots of grossness (beef spoons in vegetables, people eating with their fingers, picking up cookies with their bare hands then putting them back, etc.). I wouldn't be surprised if the norovirus outbreak started with that buffet. Later on in the cruise I heard people fussing because they had staff serving everyone food. Nobody could touch anything.

 

We were also told to use the toilets in our cabins and to avoid using the public restrooms unless "absolutely necessary." After the outbreak all of the public restrooms doors were left propped open so nobody had to touch the main door handles. The cruise director said some activities were cancelled or moved due to contamination risks.

 

I also noticed after our cabin "deep clean" that the remote control still looked nasty and crusted with dust. We cleaned it ourselves. The cabin never felt super clean and I was also kind of bothered by the lack of a top sheet. I also observed other people not washing their hands even after the outbreak. So gross! I had to remind people to wash up but some wouldn't! I don't understand that!

 

Overall it really didn't affect our cruise experience much. The worst part was having to ask for everything in the dining room and waiting a while to get it. It was obvious the Crown Princess was well-versed in dealing with the norovirus (now I know why) but they weren't great when it came to serving folks. When you know that people will need salt and pepper, sugar, ketchup, etc., then I would hope staff would be more in tune to that and try to head off any requests. More often than not I drank my coffee with no cream or sugar and ate my underseasoned food with no salt or pepper. It's not for lack of asking, it was lack of service.

 

The captain had first said that there were 15 passengers with norovirus, thanking them all for reporting their illness and staying quarantined. Sounds like they had no choice in the matter! We were wondering if Princess would do anything nice or special for the sick folks, like giving them special food, entertainment or at least a dvd player with movies or something. We felt so badly for the sick people, it must stink to be locked away on your vacation.

 

This was my very first time cruising with Princess, by the way. I don't think it's true that the outbreaks are due to the type of passengers that sail out of L.A. or whatever because we have taken many different cruise lines from the San Pedro and Long Beach ports over the years (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, NCL, and Carnival -- we do roughly 3 of their short Ensenada voyages each year) and have never been on a ship with any sort of norovirus scare.

 

Hope this helps a bit, if you have any specific questions let me know and I'll try to answer them!

[Eaglecw]

We ALWAYS! ask for a top sheet for the bed and we ALWAYS!!! Bring our own cleaning wipes and disinfectant spray. The first thing we do when we get to our cabin is to wipe down everything and I mean everything. It only takes a few minutes, does it do any good, who knows but it gives us peace of mind. We try to stay out of the buffet, I’m on vacation I want to be waited on so we eat almost all of our meals in the MDR. I don't touch elevator buttons unless I have to and I never touch the handrails on the stairs, if I do I wash my hands at the next bathroom.

[tonit964]

We ALWAYS! ask for a top sheet for the bed and we ALWAYS!!! Bring our own cleaning wipes and disinfectant spray. The first thing we do when we get to our cabin is to wipe down everything and I mean everything. It only takes a few minutes, does it do any good, who knows but it gives us peace of mind. We try to stay out of the buffet, I’m on vacation I want to be waited on so we eat almost all of our meals in the MDR. I don't touch elevator buttons unless I have to and I never touch the handrails on the stairs, if I do I wash my hands at the next bathroom.

 

We wipe down our cabin with the Clorox wipes as soon as we enter also.

 

The way I see it, if the previous passenger was at all sick, they vacate the cabin by 8:00am and we are in the same cabin by 1:00pm or earlier, that junk is still on everything!:eek:

 

When I eat at the Horizon court, once I select my food, I go to the ladies room and wash my hand thoroughly! I'de rather have cold food than filthy hands.