Spirit of Discovery - any current onboard reports re Norovirus?

[retiredbrit]

Just arrived home a short time ago.  The noro virus has certainly left us washed out.

Now some praise for Saga, disembarkation was planned and carried out with precision.  We were probably called half an hour early.   When we got on shore luggage trolleys and porters were waiting, we were directed to our luggage   section, there were helpers to locate our cases (5 in our case)  as we went further all the drivers were waiting and someone called out our name and our driver came forward.  In no time after a quick visit to the loo, we were homeward bound. 

When we got home the driver carried our cases right indoors and got a good tip for his efforts

Now here is the strange bit - or is it, we were expecting a shared vehicle but  Some passengers were still in quarantine this morning, being told to stay there until their number was called.

We went to Southampton in a shared vehicle, but were the sole occupants on the journey home.  I imagine Saga though better of putting two confirmed noro virus sufferers with two relatively healthy ones in a vehicle.

Saga must have used hundreds of vehicles, Our driver came from London, the one going to Southampton was based about 5 miles away.

In spite of that I am glad we cancelled next years saga cruise.

I will try to post some photos in a couple of days when I work out how its done

retired brit

[JessM66]

It will be interesting to see what happens on the next cruise, surely they can’t just carry on regardless 

[nosapphire]

48 minutes ago, JessM66 said:

It will be interesting to see what happens on the next cruise, surely they can’t just carry on regardless 

 

Still scheduled to sail 10:30 pm tonight so pretty much the same as the last two cruises - a few hours for a deep clean (which is probably by a specialist outside company) then off again. Wonder if they'll put the library books back... I'd be devastated to find an empty library.

Wonder what the Norwegian tourist board would say if they knew that captain was apparently blaming it all on passengers going ashore and bringing contagion back... never thought of Norway as being particularly unhealthy.

The poor crew must be absolutely exhausted by now.

[Disappointed in Saga]

On 2/26/2020 at 6:47 PM, Pearl131313 said:

Thanks for all comments on this post. Feel I am better informed regarding situation on SOD. Really sorry that many passengers have/had the dreaded norovirus & do hope all are symptom free soon. Your advice has been helpful and,  as a passenger who will be boarding on 2 March, its good to know that stringent measures are being enforced. If any of the officers or crew are reading this - Please continue monitoring cleanliness & serving at buffet etc. A couple of days ago I was all for abandoning the trip but feel more positive about it now.

Good luck - we have just disembarked on 2 March and we’re glad to get off. Norovirus was rampant and we did not stop at Karvag on the home journey. According to the captain it was not because they could not dock but because he wanted to ‘outrun the storm’. But given that this ship is supposed to be a strengthened polar ship, and it coped perfectly well with force 10s earlier in the cruise, we do have to wonder ......... there were very many people who succumbed to Norovirus which was obviously on board before us.  I would have cancelled had we been told earlier.  Never again with Saga.

[SickSagaShip]

Just got back today 100’s sick all ship activities closed for most of cruise. Worst 15 days of my life! Took photos of all closed facilities including public toilets coffee stations decks library arts and craft centre spa facilities. No captain’s party & entertainment staff also sick. Massive cover up! Written a detailed 5 page letter but never seen so many unhappy people

[JessM66]

Do you know what % of people were affected, there seem to be a lot of disgruntled people, are saga offering anything by way of compensation?

 

[retiredbrit]

can we get this information under Freedom of information Act? Number ill per day going back to pre Gibralter - I will try later today

[SickSagaShip]

9 hours ago, JessM66 said:

Do you know what % of people were affected, there seem to be a lot of disgruntled people, are saga offering anything by way of compensation?

 

Well into the 100’s . Was told by someone who worked on the ship that Italy was 350 France 150 and I reckon Norway smashed them numbers but we will have to wait and see. No compensation has been mentioned but if not I’ll post my 5 page letter along with pictures showing everything closed. It was like being imprisoned on a hospital ship and due to port cancellation and quarantine I spent 7 of the last 8 days on the sick vessel 

[SickSagaShip]

I will look into a freedom of information request to because the captain of the spirit of discovery kept saying he was going to be transparent but that changed soon in when numbers stopped being given and we went on almost a lockdown situation 

[Harry Peterson]

19 minutes ago, SickSagaShip said:

I will look into a freedom of information request to because the captain of the spirit of discovery kept saying he was going to be transparent but that changed soon in when numbers stopped being given and we went on almost a lockdown situation 

FOI requests are only possible with public bodies I'm afraid. No use here.

[Harry Peterson]

Is there any information from people on the present cruise?

[SickSagaShip]

On 2/25/2020 at 3:43 PM, Harry Peterson said:

That's appalling - and does Saga no credit at all, particularly given the age group they mainly serve, and the high prices.  If they can't be honest about that, how can they be trusted on anything?

There is a ton of Norovirus aboard all facilities shut and hi Fred’s fell sick on the northern lights cruise. Room service served in full forensic protection kit. The Worse 15 days of my life! 

[SickSagaShip]

Hundreds sick not just Fred lol typo

[SickSagaShip]

2 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

Is there any information from people on the present cruise?

Not seen any yet mate. Going to post my 5 page complain along with photos of saga don’t respond to it in 7 days. A real life account written at the time. It’s truly damming! 

[SickSagaShip]

3 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

Is there any information from people on the present cruise?

Still looking Harry. But I would put my mortgage that this one gets massively contaminated too. If not it’s because they sacrificed us on the previous cruise. It’s was a horror story on in the words of the captain a “non typical cruise!” Shocking 

[Disappointed in Saga]

2 hours ago, SickSagaShip said:

Still looking Harry. But I would put my mortgage that this one gets massively contaminated too. If not it’s because they sacrificed us on the previous cruise. It’s was a horror story on in the words of the captain a “non typical cruise!” Shocking 

I was on the same cruise as this person and I can confirm everything that is being said about this cruise.  I was fortunate that neither I nor my husband succumbed to the Norovirus bug, but our cruise was totally spoilt and we were always worried that we would get it, especially as I am due for surgery at home in 3 days time.    I submitted a two page written complaint to Saga on the ship and am waiting to hear from them - but don't hold out too much hope.

If we do not hear from Saga with some sort of compensation then I am interested in joining others to take out some sort of group action against Saga.      Not sure how we would do this, but I'm sure someone does.   It must be at least a breach of contract as they did not provide many of the services they advertised.

[shoreham01]

Wonder if the cruise now is ok.  Feeling more and more apprehensive about our forthcoming cruise. My confidence in Saga is dropping by the minute. 

[SickSagaShip]

I am still devastated and not feeling great even though got through the cruise. Lift smelt of vomit when I traveled down to get my bags so nervous few days coming up. I wish you the best of luck but I can honestly say we were sold out by saga hopefully in an attempt to make later cruises good! Disgusted how they play with passengers health and holidays just to keep the ship at sea and profits up! “Go spoilt yourself is their slogan” needs to be changed to “ go soil yourself” ! 

[nosapphire]

23 minutes ago, shoreham01 said:

Wonder if the cruise now is ok.  Feeling more and more apprehensive about our forthcoming cruise. My confidence in Saga is dropping by the minute. 

 

Well, I have spent 2 years trying to persuade a friend to try Saga cruises. "Saga really are better", "try Saga - you do get excellent service" and they are now considering it.

I am just about to send them another email, saying, "Er - better stick to P&O"

We did not have any vomiting bug on our two cruises, but we still came off feeling that we had wasted our money, which has never happened before on any cruise, let alone Saga.

Incidentally, anyone who is reading the brochures :

- the bit about the "Library with cafe" ? It is a self service coffee machine with 3 jars of biscuits; not quite what I would call a cafe (although people on the last cruise apparently did not even get that).

The Lido with ice cream and "snacks"? The ice cream is there, the snacks are 4 jars of hard mint sweets.

 

[shoreham01]

Oh dear, or possibly ruder words.  We love the American Ships such as Princess and Celebrity but insurance and the size of the ships has made us unable to go with them again.  Some time ago tried a short cruise on P&O and found it dreadful,  thought never again.  The reason why we booked the Saga one is the fact that they include insurance.  What with health difficulties and age my OH would have had to pay a fortune for insurance, if he could get it at all.  Saga said yes even after he gave them all information about his condition.  For the past couple of years or more we have been visiting Warners Sinah Warren Hotel in Hayling Island which we have enjoyed very much.  No doubt we will be back there again later in the year as we live just over an hour away.  This may well be our last cruise if things have not improved by the time we sail.

[retiredbrit]

the library - is just empty shelves, no books or games, the cafe (tea machine) was closed.

We felt it was a germ hothouse in the public rooms - very hot with no ventilation.  Supposedly the ship has had yet another deep clean, including Fogging, there was a schedule on our cabin door on disembarkation morning

There are people on the Saga F'Book (is that allowed on here?) who think we are exaggerating the conditions,

 

We paid just under £12000 for a deluxe twin, yes its all inclusive (we are moderate drinkers) and includes tips on a beautiful ship with excellent food. We have our own world wide annual travel insurance, and the shared transport took forever to get to Southampton

We have cancelled 2021 Saga cruise to see the lights again. We have booked the same itinerary but slightly shorter departing 12 March 2021 on P&O in a mini suite on Aurora at £7500 with £550 OBC and no tips, we are happy to lose our Saga deposit.

I am sure you are aware but there is a world of difference between Aurora and P&O's mega resort ships

[SickSagaShip]

I will post my complaint soon along with photos! Exaggerating? Maybe if you were not effected by the virus or if you like to sit around eating and drinking and doing nothing else then maybe people think that. If you had excursions cancelled and missed the highlights of your cruise and know they let you risk all then they might think  different! I agree with you it’s was beyond words in its failings!

[nosapphire]

We tried P&O Britannia in 2018 (when we were still in love with Saga) and went on with very low expectations, but were very pleasantly surprised.

Yes, Saga do get and keep a lot of customers because of the included insurance and the included transport. Just bear in mind that the insurance is only for the people named on the insurance - if you have to cut the holiday short because a close relative is ill, the insurance will not cover you.

Having said that, it does accept pretty much everything, and rarely needs an extra premium, so I can easily understand why so many people rely on it.

Hopefully, they will get so much savage feedback from the last few cruises (and especially if the feedback is coming via travel agents!) that they will stop being so complacent and improve things.

I recall a few years back, one Saga captain (now retired) was asked by the Port authorities, "are any of your passengers on drugs?" and he replied, "all of them, I should think".

[retiredbrit]

Nice comment - about the drugs.

This image is the deep clean notice from our cabin door

[SickSagaShip]

5 hours ago, Disappointed in Saga said:

I was on the same cruise as this person and I can confirm everything that is being said about this cruise.  I was fortunate that neither I nor my husband succumbed to the Norovirus bug, but our cruise was totally spoilt and we were always worried that we would get it, especially as I am due for surgery at home in 3 days time.    I submitted a two page written complaint to Saga on the ship and am waiting to hear from them - but don't hold out too much hope.

If we do not hear from Saga with some sort of compensation then I am interested in joining others to take out some sort of group action against Saga.      Not sure how we would do this, but I'm sure someone does.   It must be at least a breach of contract as they did not provide many of the services they advertised.

I feel the same right now and you worded it perfectly