Noro Virus Question

[jean95404]

This is one of those questions that pop into one's head in the middle of the night when sleep can't be found.

 

When the virus breaks out on a ship and passengers that come down with it are quaranteened (sp?) to their cabins, how are those cabins de-contaminated in the short amount of time between passengers leaving at the end of the cruise and new passengers coming onboard and going into that room? :confused:

 

My husband and I travel with our own pillows because it too frequently one of us would become ill after staying at a hotel. Our doctor said that using a pillow that someone ill had recently slept on is a strong source of contagion.

 

We're not strange or phobic really, it's just that the cruises are something we really look forward to and we want to enjoy every moment.

 

"An ounce of prevention...." you know.

[ewheelock]

Good question, I don't know if I want to lug my pillows with me (depends how much I pack) but maybe bringing with some of the anti-allergen pillow cases that encase the pillow would be a good thing to bring

[spongerob]

I've seen the crew that goes in to clean cabins when someone has gotten sick. They pretty much treat it as a hazmat site, with protective suits and everything. My guess is that all the bedding materials are replaced. One thing that Princess seems to be very good at is keep norovirus outbreaks under control as much as possible.

[Ethel5]

The best thing that you can do to prevent a virus is to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly and keep them away from your face!

[cruiseryyc]

They actually seal the room off and "fog" it. The same is done to the dining rooms. Now I don't mean to frighten everyone but one of the funniest things I saw while watching the hazmat guys clean my cabin (yes I had the lovely virus) was to completely strip the bed, put clean sheets on but then put the same blanket and cover back on!!! Guess they thought I hadn't touched them. However I do know that the bed cover and blanket were replaced by ones fresh out of a bag for the next folks in the cabin - I watched our cabin steward doing it as I was leaving.

[Nliedel]

They fog the cabin. If it didn't work you'd hear about people getting sick cruise after cruise.

[alaswhales]

lost my post, let's try again. I have a picture of the poor guy that had to come in and "sanitize" our cabin while my boyfriend had the norovirus. He cleaned the phones, door handles, balcony rails, and asked what all he touched, and they cleaned it. Walls, also. They were there even before the nurse came to give him a shot in the bum to help. My boyfriend asked him if he wanted him to get out of bed to change the linens, and he said no. I honestly can't remember them changing the sheets during the 3 days he could not leave the cabin. That said though, I was not in the cabin the whole time, so I never asked, they may have. I also know for a fact that after we left, they fogged the cabin. That comes from someone I emailed after the trip (a CC member) who stayed down the hall and stayed on for the B2B. for the most part, I know they do the best they can to control it. The only thing I can think of that may improve it a bit would be to have a person inside the elevators pushing the buttons for people rather than thousands of little fingers touching them, but who would want that job. LOL

[alaswhales]

Hey, I think I got this to work. Here is the picture of the "sanitizer". I hope you can click on it to make bigger.

 

 

[BigTimeCruiser]

We have been on 2 ships with major Noro outbreaks over the past 24 months. One was on Celebrity and the other on a Princess ship. Each ship had over 600 people affected. One was reported to CDC and the other was not. In any event, people who washed their hands frequently; used hand sanitizer; kept fingers out of eyes and mouth, and took common sense precautions did not become ill. Cleanup sanitation crews pretty much worked the same on both ships. They scrubbed down affected staterooms and changed out all the bedding and pillows. Then the rooms were left sealed for a period of time.

[cruiseryyc]

Excuse me BigTimeCruiser but as someone who does wash her hands frequently, used the hand sanitizers, kept my fingers out of my mouth and eyes and took common sense precautions and STILL got the virus I take exception to your presumption that by doing all of the above you won't get sick. It's a very persistent, contagious virus, unfortunately unless you wear a hazmat uniform, there is still the possibility of getting sick.

[gooch47]

What EXACTLY is in the hand sanitizers on the ships? I asked our pharmacist if the OTC hand sanitizers work on a virus and was told no.

 

Washing the hands works because you physically remove the virus particles.

[alaswhales]

I am with you on that one, cruiseryyc. We even took our own sanitizer along with us, and used all precautions. I even wrapped the napkin around the salt shaker to use it. I was so careful that I probably looked like a freak. Like I mentioned above, I think we could have gotten it from touching the buttons in the elevator, or Mark thinks he may have gotten it by taking a picture for a lady on the White Pass train. That was the only excursion he tookYou have to remember, BigTimeCruiser, that not all people have "common sense" and do NOT stay in their cabins as instructed and spread it rapidly. That was the nastiest thing I have ever had. To just say that it is vomiting and diarhhea is a big understatement. The stomach cramps are so severe. I think that is the worst. He had it bad and had to stay in the cabin for 3 days. Thank God we had a balcony. I tried to keep the curtains open so he could at least look outside at the glaciers when he was unable to get out of bed. I got it 5 hours before disembarkation, but I was very lucky that mine only lasted less than 12 hours. Please do not make assumptions that if you take precautions, you will be safe. I took great offense to that statement. At least since we stayed in the cabin as instructed, we were "rewarded" with a partial refund of the cruise, which we were not expecting.

[terrierjohn]

Hey, I think I got this to work. Here is the picture of the "sanitizer". I hope you can click on it to make bigger.

 

 

On my pc the photo on the thread only shows as a small square with a red cross, BUT when I click on it it opens the correct picture.

Is it only me or does anyone else see the same.

John.

[gooch47]

If you right click on the "x" and copy the URL under properties, and then try to access the picture directly, it says it isn't found. I'm guessing it is cached on your computer and that is why you can see it.

[cruiseryyc]

Before all you new cruisers start getting concerned about getting sick on a cruise let me assure you that in 11 cruises I've only been sick once and can't wait until my next cruise (unfortunately which won't be until 2008). On the cruise that I was sick on, only 1% of the entire population of the ship got sick. Princess did an excellent job of containing the virus with all sorts of precautions once people started to come down with it. By far the biggest problem is people who are sick NOT staying in their cabin. Yes I know you've spent lots of money for this trip, but please if you're vomiting and have diarrhea - keep it in your cabin! Quite frankly for the 12 hours that I was sick, I didn't want to go anywhere but my bed (or the bathroom!). Also remember this virus is not a "cruise ship virus", it is anywhere there are lots of people converged. While I didn't get a partial refund like AlasWhales, I was treated with the utmost care and respect by the medical staff and in particular the lovely hazmat guys who brought me food (clear soup only) and cleaned my room and then bowed to me as they were leaving.

[alaswhales]

cruiseryyc, you are right about the virus not only being on ships. I work with a lady who just last month went to a special olympic event and she told me that (in her words) most of the hotel was quarantined due to the norovirus. I also had previously thought it was only on ships. I just wanted to make it clear, also, that I did not ask for any refund. I wrote Princess a letter complaining of the way our disembarkation was handled, only because they came to our room to personally escort us off of the ship as to not be around people (which I had no problem with, I thought how responsible) and would not let us take the train that was already paid for to Anchorage, and it was more than the 72 hours they requested, only to be left waiting for our van to pick us up while sitting with 50-100 of other passengers for almost an hour. I tried to make sure to not get anyone else sick by not speaking and keeping my head down. Then, when we arrived at the hotel they took us to and we were told we would be evaluated there, the woman who greeted us looked at us and said "you may not want to stay here, it may not be the right place for you, afterall, this is a very expensive hotel" and then "there is a phone in between those two doors that go directly to the cab company, you can call them to pick you up" I was floored and if I had felt better, she would have been also. We could more than afford it, but after that statement we stayed at the Comfort Inn and it was lovely. I just wanted to inform Princess of the way we were treated in a hotel that they recommend and use a lot.

[cruiseryyc]

Hey AlasWhales - I think no matter how sick I was, I would have floored anyone who said that to me!!!! You certainly deserved a refund and I don't expect you'll ever stay at that hotel (or its chain) again.

[alaswhales]

NO, I sure won't, and anytime I see someone talk about that hotel, I let them know about it as well. I also plan (when I remember and find the time) to go to sites like travelocity and such and give my own little review of the place!!!:p If anyone is interested in knowing the name of this quality hotel, just ask.

[QM2 Cruiser]

HOW TO AVOID ILLNESS ON A CRUISE:

 

1. Take "Airborne" and "Vitamin C" lozenges beginning 10 days before sailing. Avoid contact with people that you suspect may have any type of illness, and wash hands on the hour with antibacterial soap, and before eating, drinking, touching face, and after leaving the restroom. Avoid doctor offices, dentists, making hospital visits, or entering other people's homes. Never touch a shopping cart in the grocery store. Do not shake hands with anyone for any reason.

2. Use hand sanitizer liberally, and add additional hospital grade rubbing alcohol to the sanitizer to increase alcohol content. Norovirus can be killed with constant alcohol exposure of three to five minutes. When convienient, put bleach in a small pan and dip hands in it and then let them air dry.

3. When boarding an airplane, wipe down your tray table, seatbelt, armrests, air vent, and reading light button with Clorox bleach wipes. Repeat this half way through the flight.

4. While on the airplane, avoid people around you that are coughing, sneezing, etc. if at all possible. Never directly face such a person to avoid them breathing on you. Do not touch the seat or anything in the seat pocket.

5. While on the flight, don't touch anything that is not sterilized, and avoid the lavatory. Sanitize hands with bleach wipes liberally before taking any food and beverage service, and minimize hand-to-food contact by not eating the part of the food you touch.

4. After landing, wash hands for at least one minute with antibacterial soap, and include arms and elbows, and face. Never put hands near face. Use paper towels only and use a paper towel to turn off the water and open the door.

5. Change clothes as soon as possible, and place in a plastic bag. Do not wear these airplane clothes again until washed. Take a shower as soon as possible.

6. After onboard the ship, sanitize everything in the cabin upon arrival. Do not trust shipboard sanitation:

A. Lysol spray all bedspreads, couches, carpets, walls, and chairs. (Does not stain).

B. Bleach all bathroom surfaces using a spray bottle including floor, shower, toilet, sink, faucets, and walls. Cruise ship bathrooms are usually waterproof because everything is plastic, so basically just soak the whole room with bleach or Lysol. Clean the mirror.

C. Use Lysol wipes for all wooden surfaces, table tops, night stands, lamps, TV remotes, telephones, light switches, thermostat, door handles (inside and out), and closet hangers. Lysol will kill most forms of norovirus with 10 minute contact.

D. Use a water and spic-and-span solution to scrub balcony floor. Lysol wipe the balcony railing, and Lysol spray all balcony furniture.

E. Use Lysol wipes for plastic "Do Not Disturb" signs, ice buckets, mini-fridges, and other objects.

F. Lysol spray the bedspread, sheets, pillows, and furnature daily, and don’t sit on the bed. Bring your own pillow.

G. VACATE STATEROOM FOR FIVE HOURS OR UNTIL CLEANING ODOR SUBSIDES. LEAVE BALCONY DOOR OPEN AND BRING SMALL PORTABLE FANS TO AID IN AIR CIRCULATION.

7. Be sensible while on the cruise. Bring bottles of antibacterial soap for personal use, and use antibacterial bar soap for showering. Pour Listerine on your toothbrush before each use to clean. Wash hands before entering the buffet and again after putting your plate on your table before eating. Use a napkin for handling buffet spoons, salt and pepper shakers, and pressing the ice and water buttons. Using the buffet is a big gamble, so if possible, it is best to avoid it all together. Stay away from anyone that may be ill. NEVER TOUCH HANDRAILS. Wash hands when entering and when leaving your stateroom, before eating, drinking, smoking, touching face, and before and after using the restroom. Use hospital grade hand sanitizers and cleansers liberally and often. Use bleach wipes in the dining room or buffet before eating and after touching the bread basket. NEVER USE HOT TUBS AND DO NOT SUBMERGE HEAD IN SWIMMING POOLS. Shower after swimming onboard or ashore. Shower at lease twice daily, especially after shore excursions.

8. Never use the public restrooms, and do not open doors to exterior decks or public rooms without a napkin, paper towel, or other barrier. Your elbow can be used as a last resort to open doors, but be sure to wash it. DO NOT PUSH ELEVATOR BUTTONS WITH HANDS OR USE HOUSE PHONES. Avoid touching objects in the public areas. Only your clothes should ever touch a chair or a lounge. NEVER WEAR THE SAME CLOTHES TWICE to avoid contamination. Do not use bathrobes or beach towels. Sanitize your shoes daily. If you are near someone who coughs or becomes ill, hold you breath until you can get at least 25 feet away.

9. If there is an outbreak onboard, limit your time in public areas as much as possible. Use hospital grade face masks and clear plastic gloves to protect yourself. Eat only in the dining room or use room service, and never enter the buffet or swimming pools. Before leaving the stateroom know your destination, and take the shortest route. Do not use elevators as they are miniture sick rooms full of germs. Stay in your cabin and on open decks, instead of inside the ship. If the outbreak is servere, use room service for all meals, and stay in your cabin to avoid getting sick. Always bring your own medicines and a first aid kit.

10. Have a great, germ free cruise vacation!

 

At-A-Glance List of Needed Supplies: All supplies fit into a medium sized suitcase to be checked. This extra bag is worth carrying around considering the alternative.

 

1. One gallon of industrial strength bleach.

2. One 20 ounce bottle of lysol per person in stateroom. (2 bottles per stateroom minimum).

3. Two containers of Clorox Bleach wipes.

4. One container of Lysol sanitizing wipes.

5. Four 12 ounce bottles of Purell hand sanitizer with added alcohol content.

6. One bottle of hospital strength rubbing alcohol.

7. One bottle of Windex window and mirror cleaner.

8. Small fan.

9. One box of 100 latex gloves in case of outbreak.

10. One box of hospital quality face masks.

11. Small bucket.

12. One bottle of Spic-and-Span.

13. Cleaning towels.

14. Two packages of paper towels.

15. Two spray bottles.

[mbisson]

The little town I live in just had a couple hundred cases reported to the health dept. Who knows how many were not reported.

 

My wife & 1 son came down with it and were bad for a couple days. I have no idea why the other son & I didn't catch it. I hope that when it hits someone they build up at least a temporary immunity as we leave for a cruise in about a month. Be nice if at least 2 of us are somewhat protected!

 

-Monte

[alaswhales]

Doggone it!!!!!!!!!! I missed a step. That's how we got sick!!!! Seriously, thanks for the laugh. It is not a joking manner, but that shows what you would have to do in order to not get it. I really did do some of those things. Believe it or not, I usually do take a can of Lysol on vacation to spray on toilets, door handles, bed comforters, and such and I get laughed at, but didn't take this time. I get scared of the aerosol can exploding on the plane. I thought I was ready for anything on my cruise. I even went as far as to get a prescription for Tamiflu and took a mask in case the Avian flu made it to Alaska while we were there since they were expecting it. By the way, Tamiflu works if you are in contact with the Avian (bird) flu, but NOT the norovirus. Pretty close to same symptoms, but flu vs virus need different meds.

 

MBISSON- I hope you are right and they don't get sick again. Do use some precautions. I have heard that taking the airborne does help, and I know the vitamin c pills or lozenges work, as I work in a hospital and take those all the time when I feel I am getting something. I was once told to take an overdose of vitamin c so when I feel like I am starting to get a cold, I will take 4 in morning and 4 at night. Can't believe I forgot to take those on the cruise. Seems like a simple thing to do to try and avoid that sickness.

p.s. Thanks for the comment on my pictures!!! Did you see the 2 moose?

[QM2 Cruiser]

Alaswhales - Although I did go quite a bit overboard on my checklist, especially with the At-A-Glance part at the bottom, I was not totally joking. I also take many of those precautions including the ones you mentioned, and haven't been sick on land or at sea for years and years. I am always concerned, and although I might not sanitize my airplane reading light, you'll find me wiping off my tray table, and avoiding elevator buttons and door handles at all costs. :) Happy and Healthy sailing from here on out!

[alaswhales]

I totally understand that it was not meant as a joke. As I stated, I also DO a lot of those things. It just made me laugh at all the things you would have to do in order to not get this menacing virus. The gentleman driving the van Princess put us in for the ride from Whittier to Anchorage is the only driver to do so for sick passengers and when the company asks him how he never gets sick, he won't tell them (job security) but told us that he uses the airborne as well as the enachea (can't remember how to spell it, just sounding it out. I have heard of this before but never tried it. I will remember it next time I go on vacation though!!!! Thanks for the checklist.....there WERE some things I had forgotten about doing, the most important was carrying the wipes. I should have thought to do that with watching my grandchildren everyday.

[LisaH]

I've seen the crew that goes in to clean cabins when someone has gotten sick. They pretty much treat it as a hazmat site, with protective suits and everything. My guess is that all the bedding materials are replaced. One thing that Princess seems to be very good at is keep norovirus outbreaks under control as much as possible.

 

They need to get Jack Bauer and CTU in there to decontaminate the place. They have all those hazmat suits - then they can hose everything down. Just like in Season 3 of 24...

[DandyCandy]

On our first cruise we actually ended up in a cabin after someone who had the noro virus. We found out b/c upon emptying out the vanity drawers, I found medical paper work stating so. We didn't get sick and we used the sanitizer gel like it was going out of style even on the shore excursions. Also, upon entering out cabin, I gave it a good total spray down with a can of lysol, including our bedding! This was before I had found the paper work from the previous tenant. I also carry a travel size can of lysol and sanitize to wipe down the toilet seats.