Disinfecting

[publicpersona]

Having someone squirting hand sanitizer as you board the ship on embarkation day is just silly theatre. As if, yes, now I'll be germ-free for the entire cruise!

 

Squirting as entering MDR makes a little more sense (and I do cooperate - I'm OCD about germs!) but it still is mostly for show. The effect of it pretty much goes away when they hand you a menu cover that's been handled a thousand times without ever being wiped off.

[voyager70]

29 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Interesting point.

Another question.

Who washes the tap while washing their hands?

I guess most people have put germs on the tap,washed their hands then put the germs back onto their hands when they turn the tap off.

 

I use a tissue to turn the tap off once my hands are washed.  

[grapau27]

1 minute ago, voyager70 said:

 

I use a tissue to turn the tap off once my hands are washed.  

Good idea.

I soap my hands,wash the tap,rinse my hands then wash my hands again before I turn the tap off.

[cujosmom]

37 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

You use your gloved hand to pick up your plate, your glass, and your napkin wrapped silverware.  You then use your gloved hand to pick up the ladles that everyone else has been using.  That same gloved hand then touches your plate, glass and silverware as you put everything on your table.  You then take off your gloves and touch the same things with your bare hand that your gloved hand, which was used to pick up ladles, has touched.  You really aren't accomplishing anything with your gloves.

 

I'm not trying to convince you or anyone else to do what I am doing, but just to give another option at the buffet. 

 

I am left-handed. I pick up the plate with my right hand and use the serving tools with my left hand so my right hand is never contaminated from the get-go, so to speak. The cruise line we have been sailing on most lately is Princess and the silverware, in the cloth napkin, is already on the table when I sit down. The waiter brings the drinks to the table. The most contamination in the buffet, I feel, is the spoons/ladles and not a cloth napkin or a glass (from which I drink from the rim, not the sides).

 

I feel very confident that when those gloves do come off, my hands are still clean as I have washed them with soap and water before even entering the buffet.   Anyway, so far it has worked for me and I will continue to do so when I cruise. 

[vacationlover_mn]

2 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Interesting point.

Another question.

Who washes the tap while washing their hands?

I guess most people have put germs on the tap,washed their hands then put the germs back onto their hands when they turn the tap off.

I turn off the tap, always, using my fore-arm or paper towel 🙂

[Curt1591]

7 hours ago, SRF said:

 

Just because 1% of the people on board have it, doesn't mean there will be an outbreak.

 

And not everyone that has it, has an acute case.

It's actually 1/10 of 1%. That takes in account all people on board guest and crew, and all ships. 

On a ship with 5,000 on board, odds are 5 may be infected. Then, what are the odds that you might have contact with one of them? 

So, spread across the entire fleet, you might have a 1/10 of 1% chance of encountering someone that has a 1/10 of 1% chance of having noro virus. 

You have better odds in the casinos!

 

 

[vacationlover_mn]

On a related note- please remember to wash your hands before you eat room service.  Many cruises ago, when DH and I were young and dumb, we both did not 😞. And, we got noro approx 14 hours later.  It was a ship that had so much noro that we had to attend a special session in the theater, and I KNOW we touched handrails and elevator buttons before eating.  This trip is why we call the NCL Dream the NCL nightmare 🙂. And, if the nice Asian passenger doctor who helped my husband when he passed out on the pier is reading this- THANK YOU!!!

[kidless]

5 years ago, within 24 hours of exiting a cruise DH & I came down with Noro-virus. It was the worse 4 days. So now when we cruise I take the peroxide wipes for cabin and naturally take all the same precautions I’d use in any public space. Wash hands throughly, use tissue for door handles, avoid using handrails, etc.

 

Last week we were sailing on another cruise line. Public areas had the hand sanitizers machine but crew never said a word to guests about using and most walked right by them. I was shocked at the amount of women in restrooms that never washed their hands or just barely ran them under water. Needless to say Got off ship at 0900 and was sick at 10 pm that night. Luckily not as bad as first time! 

 

I have heard there are new hand sanitizers that do help against Noro-virus Has anyone tried? 

[goldfish65]

When I first saw the title of this subject, I thought it was about disinfecting one's cabin. If I may ask, what kind of wipes/product does anyone recommend for that purpose?

[ThirstyCruiser]

6 hours ago, Samanthac25 said:

I also will not sit at a shared table for sanitation purposes. I feel even stronger about having my own table now after reading all of the opinions on this thread!! 😑

Own table?

5 seconds before you came around the corner and spotted "your" table sitting empty and waiting for you, what do you think was going on that table? Yeah, maybe an employee came by and gave it a couple spritzes before smearing that nightmare of a rag they just "cleaned" 13 other tables with.  Maybe not. Before that, your table was being used by some animals like myself.

[Samanthac25]

Just now, ThirstyCruiser said:

Own table?

5 seconds before you came around the corner and spotted "your" table sitting empty and waiting for you, what do you think was going on that table? Yeah, maybe an employee came by and gave it a couple spritzes before smearing that nightmare of a rag they just "cleaned" 13 other tables with.  Maybe not. Before that, your table was being used by some animals like myself.

 

🙄🙄🙄

 

Table clothes are changed between each seating, tables and chairs are wiped down. I’d rather not share a table with complete strangers that may or may not have washes their hands and could touch/contaminate something I’m consuming. It’s about lowering the risk of getting sick since clearly so many don’t take precautions for themselves. Plus I really don’t care for small talk with strangers, so not sharing a table is a win win for me. 

[Iamcruzin]

7 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

You use your gloved hand to pick up your plate, your glass, and your napkin wrapped silverware.  You then use your gloved hand to pick up the ladles that everyone else has been using.  That same gloved hand then touches your plate, glass and silverware as you put everything on your table.  You then take off your gloves and touch the same things with your bare hand that your gloved hand, which was used to pick up ladles, has touched.  You really aren't accomplishing anything with your gloves.

Thank you. I just didn't have the energy to go there.

[Iamcruzin]

6 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Interesting point.

Another question.

Who washes the tap while washing their hands?

I guess most people have put germs on the tap,washed their hands then put the germs back onto their hands when they turn the tap off.

The faucets had a sensor and turned on when your hand was under the faucet.

[123funcruiser]

12 hours ago, cujosmom said:

...The cruise line we have been sailing on most lately is Princess and the silverware, in the cloth napkin, is already on the table when I sit down. ...

 

It´s interesting you Mention Princess here. The way they handle the silverware Thing is the most unsanitary IMO (Talking About the Buffet only here). They have the silverware and napkin on the table already, which on the first view might be a good Thing. But the sivlerware is just put in a folded napkin and not rolled up tightly like on RCI. As there is no self Service silverware to be found People will frequently look for just a fork or knife or spoon and simply go to an empty place and open the napkin, take what they Need and close it again. The Server of Course know this and when Setting up a new table they will NOT Exchange everything, but just open up the napkin add whatever is missing and close it again. Also when whiping down a 4 top that has been only used By two, they just move around the napkins with silverware while whiping down and place them back to the proper place (literally whiping down table with the napkin while doing this. Of Course they will again check if they have to Refill silverware in the napkin. 

I´ve frequently seen napkins and silverware remaining on the table for the next guest that has actually been handled (though not used) By previous guests.

[123funcruiser]

8 hours ago, Samanthac25 said:

 

🙄🙄🙄

 

Table clothes are changed between each seating, tables and chairs are wiped down. I’d rather not share a table with complete strangers that may or may not have washes their hands and could touch/contaminate something I’m consuming. It’s about lowering the risk of getting sick since clearly so many don’t take precautions for themselves. Plus I really don’t care for small talk with strangers, so not sharing a table is a win win for me. 

 

Table clothes might be Change between seatings in the MDR. Certainly tables and chairs are not wiped down in this process. There´s usually no table clothes in the buffet and chairs are not wiped down between guests.

[Samanthac25]

3 minutes ago, 123funcruiser said:

 

Table clothes might be Change between seatings in the MDR. Certainly tables and chairs are not wiped down in this process. There´s usually no table clothes in the buffet and chairs are not wiped down between guests.

 I was never referring to the buffet. I won’t eat there at all. I’ve seen the tables and chairs wiped down when changing the table clothes in the MDR. Either way, I’ll take my chances on my own over sharing a table any day. That’s my preference and choice to make. 

[grapau27]

10 hours ago, goldfish65 said:

When I first saw the title of this subject, I thought it was about disinfecting one's cabin. If I may ask, what kind of wipes/product does anyone recommend for that purpose?

This is what we always use.

[vacationlover_mn]

10 hours ago, goldfish65 said:

When I first saw the title of this subject, I thought it was about disinfecting one's cabin. If I may ask, what kind of wipes/product does anyone recommend for that purpose?

I get the Lysol packs... those pre-wet sheets in a resealable pouch.

[zanydoc]

As a physician, I strongly recommend hand washing vs. the alcohol based sanitizers in any situation- including my practice. So, to answer the question by the OP...No, I don’t think it should be mandatory to use the hand sanitizers prior to entering the restaurants on the cruise ship. Just use common sense and wash your hands prior to dining. Speaking of which-does anyone know which ships now have the actual wash stations outside the dining areas?

Edited October 3, 2019 by zanydoc

[grapau27]

2 minutes ago, zanydoc said:

As a physician, I strongly recommend hand washing vs. the alcohol based sanitizers in any situation- including my practice. So, to answer the question by the OP...No, I don’t think it should be mandatory to use the hand sanitizers prior to entering the restaurants on the cruise ship. Just use common sense and wash your hands prior to dining. Speaking of which-does anyone know which ships now have the actual wash stations outside the dining areas?

Independence.

[cujosmom]

10 hours ago, 123funcruiser said:

 

It´s interesting you Mention Princess here. The way they handle the silverware Thing is the most unsanitary IMO (Talking About the Buffet only here). They have the silverware and napkin on the table already, which on the first view might be a good Thing. But the sivlerware is just put in a folded napkin and not rolled up tightly like on RCI. As there is no self Service silverware to be found People will frequently look for just a fork or knife or spoon and simply go to an empty place and open the napkin, take what they Need and close it again. The Server of Course know this and when Setting up a new table they will NOT Exchange everything, but just open up the napkin add whatever is missing and close it again. Also when whiping down a 4 top that has been only used By two, they just move around the napkins with silverware while whiping down and place them back to the proper place (literally whiping down table with the napkin while doing this. Of Course they will again check if they have to Refill silverware in the napkin. 

I´ve frequently seen napkins and silverware remaining on the table for the next guest that has actually been handled (though not used) By previous guests.

 

I don't know when the last time you were on a Princess ship, but on Sept 4th, I just got off a 16 night cruise with 9 sea days of which we ate every meal in the buffet.  On our ship, the silverware was wrapped (tightly in my opinion) in a cloth napkin and placed in a metal container on the table NOT in front of individual chairs. I won't say it has never happened, but I, personally, never once saw anyone taking a folded up napkin out of the container and take out a spoon or fork and walk away for a waiter to later replace said spoon or fork and place in it back into the napkin and back into the container. I am attaching a picture I took of the metal containers of silverware at each table so you can see what I am talking about.

[voyager70]

5 hours ago, zanydoc said:

As a physician, I strongly recommend hand washing vs. the alcohol based sanitizers in any situation- including my practice. So, to answer the question by the OP...No, I don’t think it should be mandatory to use the hand sanitizers prior to entering the restaurants on the cruise ship. Just use common sense and wash your hands prior to dining. Speaking of which-does anyone know which ships now have the actual wash stations outside the dining areas?

 

Can't remember off the top of my head but quite a few.

[cujosmom]

5 hours ago, zanydoc said:

As a physician, I strongly recommend hand washing vs. the alcohol based sanitizers in any situation- including my practice. So, to answer the question by the OP...No, I don’t think it should be mandatory to use the hand sanitizers prior to entering the restaurants on the cruise ship. Just use common sense and wash your hands prior to dining. Speaking of which-does anyone know which ships now have the actual wash stations outside the dining areas?

 

On the Caribbean Princess there are many hand-washing stations in the buffet. Attached are a couple pictures. The water is motion activated so you don't have to touch the faucet. They are kept spotlessly clean.

[vacationlover_mn]

6 hours ago, zanydoc said:

As a physician, I strongly recommend hand washing vs. the alcohol based sanitizers in any situation- including my practice. So, to answer the question by the OP...No, I don’t think it should be mandatory to use the hand sanitizers prior to entering the restaurants on the cruise ship. Just use common sense and wash your hands prior to dining. Speaking of which-does anyone know which ships now have the actual wash stations outside the dining areas?

I think Symphony and Harmony had them.

[Anita Latte]

I don't think the use of hand sanitizer should be required...I have issues with major skin irritation when using such stuff and so I avoid it. I wash my hands...and it never fails that I am usually the only one during my bathroom experience that washes their hands properly.

 

Good old normal soap is a very effective cleaning agent when used properly. I wonder if people really understand how soap works? There's a reason why you have to rub your hands for 20 seconds minimum...I have heard that you are supposed to sing Happy Birthday to yourself or the ABC song...let the soap relax the tension between the surface of your hands and whatever (dirt, bacteria, viruses, etc) is on your hands (this is what a surfactant does)...scrub your hands ALL OVER...in-between your fingers, etc...like picture a surgeon washing their hands...and then rinse with purpose thinking about how the soap is carrying away everything that is now loosened.

 

Things to think about in a public restroom...is the faucet touchless? Is the paper towel dispenser touchless? If not, get a paper towel FIRST...use a paper towel to shut off the water...and to open the door to leave the restroom if necessary.

 

Based on what I see in bathrooms...people barely get their hands wet...they barely spend any time with the soap, if they use it at all and yet they make a big deal out of not touching doors, etc., which is slightly ridiculous considering that they didn't wash properly to begin with.

 

I appreciated the video above. I think everyone could stay a whole lot healthier if everyone washed their hands properly.