Live from Sea Princess - We are coming home early!

[bonvoyager]

I am also on the Sea Princess, and would like to add a few comments. I, too, was unhappy that we were not notified until we had boarded that the ship had suffered an outbreak on the cruise before ours, as this would have offered us the option of cancelling the cruise. Waiting until we were at sea certainly took away any choice we had in the matter. We were delayed less than an hour in boarding, which leads me to think that they might not have spent as long disinfecting the ship as they might have. In my own stateroom, I found one of the glasses in the bathroom had dried toothpaste smears in the bottom from the previous occupant, so obviously they didn't bother to even change out the glassware in the cabins. I always carry chlorox wipes with me, and went around the cabin wiping things down. Dirty, smeared (obviously not sanitized) areas I found included the TV remote, light switches, and the inside door handle. There were staff members wandering around the ship with spray bottles, but there didn't seem to be any logic in what they sprayed and what they didn't. This improved during the week, but was certainly not adequate in the first few days of the voyage. Bedspreads were finally removed from beds and placed in bags two days ago. Not changing these between passengers also poses a risk, although it didn't seem to happen even after the previous outbreak. I don't think it is a case of the staff not meaning well, and they certainly work very hard, but without proper guidelines and education they simply weren't doing an adequate job.

 

I have been eating in the Horizon lounge, for the most part, and also have seen changes there. From the beginning, all passengers were made to use the hand sanitizer before entering, and everyone I saw seemed to be compliant. Staff served the food, and while they did wear gloves, they aren't careful about touching a variety of other surfaces with these gloves, don't change them after coughing, etc. Thus the gloves protect the staff person, but not the people being served. Tables were being cleared but not cleansed between occupants, although this has improved during the course of the week. They've also become more diligent about not allowing passengers to serve themselves coffee or drinks (outside of the food area). While the changes are certainly an improvement, I still see the disinfection efforts to be haphazard, inconsistent, and at times inadequate. It doesn't surprise me that the virus outbreak continued on this voyage.

[julieh]

As far as I now we get in early possibly 6am on Friday and would guess again that they will put us into the QE2 dock as it is away from the other ships.

 

I too would have liked the option to cancel and rebook another cruise but I also personally think they have done enough on the sanitizing but what hasn't helped is the fact that some passengers with the virus have refused to stay in quarantine. One passenger was in the casino saying there was no way was he staying in his cabin. I know it must be hard to lose part of your holiday but it is unfair to make others ill.

 

I hope they resolve the issues in Southampton but prepare for restrictions on your cruise as I can't see them being lifted for a while.

 

If you do have the restictions although they are a pain just re-assure yourself that its better than being in your cabin sick for 3 days and KEEP washing your hands and using the gel it has worked for us upto now.

 

Hope the weather is kinder and seas calmer for your voyage. This is my 9th cruise with Princess and my 5th on the Sea Princess and this is the first time I have ever had a problem of any kind. I will be back on board in January 2007!!!! hopefully with Captain Burgess again so as you can see it hasn't put me off at all.

 

Julie

[spongerob]

Good on you, Julie! Sorry your cruise was cut short. We've been on one cruise where someone boarded with the virus. An affected family refused to honor quarantine requests, entered the main dining room, and when discovered, caused a delay because their table had to be completely stripped and all plates and glassware discarded before second seating could start. The family was ejected from the ship at the next port of call.

 

With cooperation, these outbreaks can be controlled. When passengers refuse to go along, they put everyone else at risk.

[alwalaska]

Customer services are rubbish!! Believe me what the press are saying is true (which I guess makes a change!) Lisbon was cancelled we are in Vigo now but public health prople are on board and there is so much disinfecting everywhere. The crew are having to work so hard they are all tired and you feel sorry asking for anything. It was also VERY rough last night so even more restrictions. They have said they are taking the ship out of service for a short while but they didn't say for how long. Don't know if they will delay nxt cruise. I think the restrictions will still be in place on the next cruise though.

 

Princess are refunding us 30% of the fare and a voucher for 150 UK pounds of your next cruise. I think they are making arrangements for people ho have flights booked. A mostly UK passengers I guess we will all just go home.

 

Well sorry its all bad news. The atmosphere onboard is very subdued. I Hope I never experience this again however, it is not a bad as the passengers on the Star had it with the fire so trying to stay positive.

 

Julie

 

I'm so sorry you have to go home early and that things are rough on the ship. What are the restrictions they have imposed? Just curious.

 

Thanks.

[gooch47]

Wonderful. We leave on the Sea in one month. I'm sure, though, that they will do everything in their power to eradicate it for the NEXT cruise, much less one a month away.

[Druke I]

Always a disappoinment when a a cruise is cut short, and of course no one wants to see outbreaks of norovirus.

 

Reference the passengers being put off the ship after "breaking quarantine" - that is how it should be!

[Goldryder]

Travelscope, who's ship was impounded at Harwich due to norovirus, have now stipulated that all passengers leaving on the 3rd June cruise must have medical proof that they do not and have not suffered any form of gastro or flu illness in the 72 hours leading to embarkation. Failure/refusal to prove or if anyone has suffered such symptoms will lead to them not being allowed to board the ship.

 

Granted that may seem tough but I actually think its a good move on the part of the cruise line. The rest of the companies should take such a stance too IMO.

[julieh]

Hi all

 

Seas a lot calmer today but still very windy. We are all packing now. arrival time and dock as stated earlier.

 

I think in a months time you will have no problem whatsoever unless someone brings it on board when you embark.

 

Main Restrictions are

 

No salt/pepper/rolls/butter on dining room tables waiters have to serve them

 

Horizon court - all food served to you including tea/coffee. Closed at 11pm

Limited choices to normal

 

Service a little slower due to the increaded workload the crew have got.

 

ill post a full review when I get home

 

Julie

[13_jane]

Hi All

 

I see people are refering to this bug being carried over from the cruise before, but it was also on the cruise before that too, as my in-laws were on the 14 day cruise 6th May 2006 to 20th May 2006, and my father-in-law and quite alot of the other passengers were brought down with it too.

 

All the same restrictions were in place as this cruise, ie no self service, no touching salt, pepper, sugar etc. Again all offered free medical services and told to stay in their cabins.

 

So really Julie, maybe you should have all been told before hand that the bug was on board, and given the option of going on the cruise!!!

 

jane x

[TheHappyWanderer]

How would one provide MEDICAL PROOF that one was healthy prior to boarding? I have seen them ask the question, but where would proof come from? I know that some knowingly WITH the virus would lie and board anyway.

[gatour]

I am with HappyWanderer, but with an additional point. Lets say I went to a doctor 71 - 48 hours and he confirmed that I was healthy as an ox. I then fly to the port of embarkation where I board the ship. I could have picked up the bug anywhere from the point that the doctor certified until I board the ship, all other passengers would have the same risk.

 

Really to gurantee a non-virus cruise they would have to quarantee all arriving passengers/new crew members for the length of the incubation period of the virus. They would also have take precautions with the various shore side personel and deliveries.