Anyone on the Zenith right now - April 1st?

[hisfirstm8]

Are you currently on the Zenith? Is there still a problem with the Norwalk-type virus?

 

 

God Bless the USA and those who are fighting for freedom!

 

 

Soverign of the Seas 10/00

Monarch of the Seas 10/01

Celebrity/Century 10/02

Celebrity/Century 11/03

Celebrity/Zenith 4/04

[Longboysfan]

They may hit their connections board area.

Try in there also.

 

Next - Millennium - The wait begins anew. <applet code="countdown.class" CODEBASE="http://*************/java-sys" width="203" height="25">

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Always booked and waiting...

 

[hisfirstm8]

bump

 

 

God Bless the USA and those who are fighting for freedom!

 

 

Soverign of the Seas 10/00

Monarch of the Seas 10/01

Celebrity/Century 10/02

Celebrity/Century 11/03

Celebrity/Zenith 4/04

[ibeejd]

Getting the Norwalk virus is just as easy in your local grocery store or a nice dinner out as it is on the ship. I would be concerned but dont let it ruin your pre-trip excitment.

 

Our 1 yr anniversary cruise to Bermuda

 

 

Pride 11/02

Fantasy 10/01

 

"Do what you want and say what you feel because the people that matter dont mind and people that mind dont matter"

Dr. Seuss

[hisfirstm8]

Thanks for the encouragement. I can't wait for our cruise!

 

 

God Bless the USA and those who are fighting for freedom!

 

 

Soverign of the Seas 10/00

Monarch of the Seas 10/01

Celebrity/Century 10/02

Celebrity/Century 11/03

Celebrity/Zenith 4/04

[ibeejd]

I can not wait either......

 

Im so excited....its my first cruise to Bermuda and first on the Zenith. We traveled on a cruise (carnival) and had a wonderful time....flew home on a plane full of Disney norwalk victims and I felt so bad for the children...

 

As long as you are careful you will be fine. I spoke to my Dr. about it and she told me that you just need to watch your hand to mouth contact and you shouldnt have any problems...use a fork for your finger food even and relax....you will have a great time...and Id love to hear a review from you when you get back......

 

You are not by chance booked in a CC cabin are you?? Im dying to hear about the upgrade since we got one and Im excited!

 

Our 1 yr anniversary cruise to Bermuda

 

 

Pride 11/02

Fantasy 10/01

 

"Do what you want and say what you feel because the people that matter dont mind and people that mind dont matter"

Dr. Seuss

[hisfirstm8]

WE are in 1058 which will be a CC cabin after our cruise........Will write a review as soon as we are back!

 

Barb

 

 

God Bless the USA and those who are fighting for freedom!

 

 

Soverign of the Seas 10/00

Monarch of the Seas 10/01

Celebrity/Century 10/02

Celebrity/Century 11/03

Celebrity/Zenith 4/04

[ibeejd]

You never know....I have read that some of the ships already have the upgrade in place...well before the scheduled starting date. Ill keep my fingers cross for you!! We are in 1078....

 

Our 1 yr anniversary cruise to Bermuda

 

 

Pride 11/02

Fantasy 10/01

 

"Do what you want and say what you feel because the people that matter dont mind and people that mind dont matter"

Dr. Seuss

[hisfirstm8]

Thanks - that would be a great surprise!!!

 

Will post a review ASAP after we get back.

 

Barb

 

 

God Bless the USA and those who are fighting for freedom!

 

 

Soverign of the Seas 10/00

Monarch of the Seas 10/01

Celebrity/Century 10/02

Celebrity/Century 11/03

Celebrity/Zenith 4/04

[Loop]

Just spoke to friends we cruised with on the Zenith in November 2003. This was an excellent adventure for the four of us. They are in port in Key West on the current Zenith cruise. The report was very negative: everything on the ship was being sprayed with bleach twenty four hours a day, the decks, halls, walls, banisters, etc (everything but the passengers). The food was horrible; all dishes being overcooked and the quality of the food seemed lower. They reported the food was so bad, they were only eating salads. The prices of the cocktails and drinks seemed exorbitant with a martini being $13 & change. No "happy hour" special drinks at all. Many of the people they talked to were buying their own liquor on shore and bringing it to their staterooms, with their own drinking glasses. Actually they said almost everyone they spoke to was doing this. The cruise director was different from the one we had in November (Sean?) and didn't seem to be very active...much less activities than in the past. The best thing they had to say was the weather was wonderful and the seas very calm. But they said there were many cutbacks. Sorry about having to send this negative report, but thought it important to be forewarned. Hope things change for our cruise. See you Sunday! Lou & Nancy

[ibeejd]

 

Our 1 yr anniversary cruise to Bermuda

 

 

Pride 11/02

Fantasy 10/01

 

"Do what you want and say what you feel because the people that matter dont mind and people that mind dont matter"

Dr. Seuss

[hisfirstm8]

Loop,

Are you on our cruise on the 11th. I haven't seen you posting before. Was the bleach working, or were there still a lot of sick people? Why were the drinks so expensive? I have heard that the Martinis were about 9.00?

Barb

 

 

God Bless the USA and those who are fighting for freedom!

 

 

Soverign of the Seas 10/00

Monarch of the Seas 10/01

Celebrity/Century 10/02

Celebrity/Century 11/03

Celebrity/Zenith 4/04

[Loop]

Barb

We have been posted since 1/30/04. As far as we know the spraying has worked because when I asked if anyone had gotten sick the answer was no. Don't know why the martini was so high, I didn't think to ask. See you at the party.

Lou & Nancy

[hisfirstm8]

Are you meeting us at sail-away? We are meeting on the pool deck, but on the aft (back) of the ship around 3:00./ We are the Jax Pax.

 

Barb

 

 

God Bless the USA and those who are fighting for freedom!

 

 

Soverign of the Seas 10/00

Monarch of the Seas 10/01

Celebrity/Century 10/02

Celebrity/Century 11/03

Celebrity/Zenith 4/04

[Loop]

Barb - we will be attending the Celebrity Cruise Connection party. See you on board. Lou & Nancy

[hisfirstm8]

Lou and Nancy,

 

We will be there. Some of the group on the connections page has talked of bringing door prizes for our party. Don't know if they are for our sail-away party of the CC party.

 

I am glad to hear from your friends currently on the Zenith that the sickness seems to be gone.

 

Hope to meet you soon!

 

Barb and Mike

 

 

God Bless the USA and those who are fighting for freedom!

 

 

Soverign of the Seas 10/00

Monarch of the Seas 10/01

Celebrity/Century 10/02

Celebrity/Century 11/03

Celebrity/Zenith 4/04

[Loop]

Barb & Mike - Just heard further from our friends currently on Zenith which, by the way, is on its way to Nassau, not Coca Cay, tomorrow. There was at least one couple quarantined on this cruise and one elderly couple was taken to hospital in Key West. Bleach smell seems to be everywhere and it's actually burning their eyes. Re the price of the martini, I asked again and was told there might have been a shaker given with the drink for that price. So that's not bad. Lou & Nancy

[tuggers]

On the Horizon 3/1 the Martini's in the Martini Bar were 8.95 (they were doubles) plus 15% which made them a little over $10. With the shaker they were 13 something. But worth it! Yum!

 

Until the Zenith! Second X Cruise In Two Months!

 

 

 

[Loop]

What are noroviruses?

 

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause the “stomach flu,†or gastroenteritis (GAS-tro-en-ter-I-tis), in people. The term norovirus was recently approved as the official name for this group of viruses. Several other names have been used for noroviruses, including:

 

Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs)

caliciviruses (because they belong to the virus family Caliciviridae)

small round structured viruses.

Viruses are very different from bacteria and parasites, some of which can cause illnesses similar to norvirus infection. Viruses are much smaller, are not affected by treatment with antibiotics, and cannot grow outside of a person’s body.

 

What are the symptoms of illness caused by noroviruses?

 

The symptoms of norovirus illness usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people additionally have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. The illness is usually brief, with symptoms lasting only about 1 or 2 days. In general, children experience more vomiting than adults. Most people with norovirus illness have both of these symptoms.

 

 

 

What is the name of the illness caused by noroviruses?

 

Illness caused by norovirus infection has several names, including:

 

stomach flu – this “stomach flu†is not related to the flu (or influenza), which is a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus.

viral gastroenteritis – the most common name for illness caused by norovirus. Gastroenteritis refers to an inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

acute gastroenteritis

non-bacterial gastroenteritis

food poisoning (although there are other causes of food poisoning)

calicivirus infection

How serious is norovirus disease?

 

Norovirus disease is usually not serious, although people may feel very sick and vomit many times a day. Most people get better within 1 or 2 days, and they have no long-term health effects related to their illness. However, sometimes people are unable to drink enough liquids to replace the liquids they lost because of vomiting and diarrhea. These persons can become dehydrated and may need special medical attention. This problem with dehydration is usually only seen among the very young, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems. There is no evidence to suggest that an infected person can become a long-term carrier of norovirus.

 

How do people become infected with noroviruses?

 

Noroviruses are found in the stool or vomit of infected people. People can become infected with the virus in several ways, including:

 

eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus;

touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus, and then placing their hand in their mouth;

having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms (for example, when caring for someone with illness, or sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is ill).

Persons working in day-care centers or nursing homes should pay special attention to children or residents who have norovirus illness. This virus is very contagious and can spread rapidly throughout such environments.

 

 

 

When do symptoms appear?

 

Symptoms of norovirus illness usually begin about 24 to 48 hours after ingestion of the virus, but they can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure.

 

Are noroviruses contagious?

 

Noroviruses are very contagious and can spread easily from person to person. Both stool and vomit are infectious. Particular care should be taken with young children in diapers who may have diarrhea.How long are people contagious?

 

People infected with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 3 days after recovery. Some people may be contagious for as long as 2 weeks after recovery. Therefore, it is particularly important for people to use good handwashing and other hygienic practices after they have recently recovered from norovirus illness.

 

Who gets norovirus infection?

 

Anyone can become infected with these viruses. There are many different strains of norovirus, which makes it difficult for a person’s body to develop long-lasting immunity. Therefore, norovirus illness can recur throughout a person’s lifetime. In addition, because of differences in genetic factors, some people are more likely to become infected and develop more severe illness than others.

 

What treatment is available for people with norovirus infection?

 

Currently, there is no antiviral medication that works against norovirus and there is no vaccine to prevent infection. Norovirus infection cannot be treated with antibiotics. This is because antibiotics work to fight bacteria and not viruses.

 

Norovirus illness is usually brief in healthy individuals. When people are ill with vomiting and diarrhea, they should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Dehydration among young children, the elderly, the sick, can be common, and it is the most serious health effect that can result from norovirus infection. By drinking oral rehydration fluids (ORF), juice, or water, people can reduce their chance of becoming dehydrated. Sports drinks do not replace the nutrients and minerals lost during this illness.

 

Can norovirus infections be prevented?

 

Yes. You can decrease your chance of coming in contact with noroviruses by following these preventive steps:

 

Frequently wash your hands, especially after toilet visits and changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.

Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating them.

Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness by using a bleach-based household cleaner.

Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with virus after an episode of illness (use hot water and soap).

Flush or discard any vomitus and/or stool in the toilet and make sure that the surrounding area is kept clean.

Persons who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food while they have symptoms and for 3 days after they recover from their illness. Food that may have been contaminated by an ill person should be disposed of properly.

[Loop]

Latest CDC report. 2/19/2004

 

http://www2a.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/VSP_InspRpt1.asp?txtShip=ZENITH&txtDate=2%2F19%2F2004&show_part=dtl

[hisfirstm8]

Loop,

So do you think that the one couple was the only ones that were sick on this cruise. Sounds like the bleach might really be working. I hope so.

 

 

God Bless the USA and those who are fighting for freedom!

 

 

Soverign of the Seas 10/00

Monarch of the Seas 10/01

Celebrity/Century 10/02

Celebrity/Century 11/03

Celebrity/Zenith 4/04

[Loop]

Barb - hopefully the bleach is working. Our friends saw the elderly couple in the wheelchairs being taken off the ship to the hospital in Key West. The other couple who were quarantined our friends were told about. Our friends are veteran cruisers who totally enjoyed the Nov cruise aboard the Zenith (as did we). They were keeping their eyes and ears open in concern for us boarding on Sun. Lou & Nancy