Norovirus Strikes Quest

[Grachar]

:confused:

Hong Kong to Tanjin over 60 cases, crew unknown

Tanjin to HK 20+ cases

No useful status reports issued

Mantra of handwash repeated

Any press reports out there

[brian_uk]

Just curious where you got this information.

 

I googled "Quest Novovirus" and NOTHING came up other than your post.

 

Brian

[cruiseyguy]

Seems to be a "hand grenade" posting. This issue was addressed in passing by other postings on the board and it isn't clear what kind of virus affected the passengers. By all accounts, Quest handled the matter well.

[Andy]

Seems to be a "hand grenade" posting. This issue was addressed in passing by other postings on the board and it isn't clear what kind of virus affected the passengers. By all accounts, Quest handled the matter well.

 

Hi Cruiseyguy !

 

I totally agree. This was reported from either the last Quest sailing or the one before it. We have not heard any current reports of this, so it would seem this is old news.

[greeneg]

I would also add, norovirus in the Winter on a Cruise Ship ( closed population) shouldn't surprise anyone.......

[livyordrem]

I am on the Quest now going from Tianjin arriving in Hong Kong in a couple days. There have been many people hit with illness and many quarantined for anywhere from 24 hours to 4 days, not sure how that is determined. Last trip reports were 66/680 passengers plus crew for a total of 100 or so. Rumor has it that this sailing has more. I have not been affected but have run into many people who have been quarantined at some point or other during the sailing. Every thing is being constantly bleached and wiped down.

 

Sally

[uktog]

This must be a nightmare for the crew as it has been the last 4 trips that have had to run on tighter procedures. The view previously was that the infections were being brought on board at ports as they did get clear runs of 3-4 days with no new cases - our trip was case free for 5 days before problems started up again

[boatboat]

I don't use the casino and don't gamble with strange food if in a port for just a few hours, just being practical. Halfway around the world the 'bugs' have no immune response for my body. When I feel crummy, I don't even want to be out of my room. The cruise is too short not to enjoy it.

[Moeve]

Uktog - so Seoul was the port after it all started??? Jokingly my mom suggested we should purchase some of the medical face masks (like the ones Dr. wear) but now I am wondering if that isn't maybe a good idea.

[susiesan]

Everyone I know who has been to China, including DH and me, has gotten sick there and brought it home. It's usually a respiratory thing. the air is so polluted in China you can't avoid it. If you travel to China, even for 1 day, you have to assume you will get sick.

[geologygeek]

I was in China for six weeks and wasn't ill once - even after scorpions and cicadas at Wanfunling Market. Toughen up.

[boatboat]

I was in China for six weeks and wasn't ill once - even after scorpions and cicadas at Wanfunling Market. Toughen up.

 

It is certainly not a question of 'toughn up', it is a question of having practical knowledge, not only that, most of us 'privaleged travelers' are not necessarily in our prime.

[boatboat]

I was in China for six weeks and wasn't ill once - even after scorpions and cicadas at Wanfunling Market. Toughen up.

 

 

I try to take all the best precautions, do you have helpful options?

[greeneg]

The simplest and the most effective is still to keep your hands clean and as far from your nose and eyes as practical. Just like your Mother told you years ago.

[NonCruiser]

Seems to be a "hand grenade" posting. This issue was addressed in passing by other postings on the board and it isn't clear what kind of virus affected the passengers. By all accounts, Quest handled the matter well.

 

I was on that cruise and I'm here to tell you that it was not handled well, in that the ship's staff was very slow to pick it up and get the information out in a timely fashion. By the time the information was disseminated, both passengers and crew had been decimated and it could not be kept quiet any longer. Kind of like the world wide financial meltdown. I personally know that a passenger approached the Guest Relations staff 4 days after we sailed from Honk Kong on Jan. 31st and reported that his partner had what he thought was the flu and asked if anyone else was sick. The person on duty blew him off (no pun intended) and no apparent attempt was made to follow up. The measures taken were too little, too late. :(

[Aussie Gal]

Flu is one thing, but being ill with vomiting and diarrhea is something else.

 

Every year in winter, China does have huge problems with flu etc. I always thought that Novovirus was a 36 hour virus that attacked your stomach and bowels. That is something completely different to the normal flu where your body aches and you feel terrible. A dose of flu can take up to a week or more before you feel normal whereas from what I have read, Novovirus is quick and you are soon feeling better within a couple of days.

 

I do not want to catch either and so I will be careful when we are on board the ship as well as when are on shore. Our doctor told us the best way to stop infection is to make sure our hands are washed and clean, we don't put our fingers or hands near our mouth and we do not touch any of the surfaces on board the ship. We were also advised not to use the public toilets on board but go straight to your cabin and not to shake hands.

 

Jennie

 

Jennie

[merlot101]

When using the stairs, try not to hold on to the railing. When in the elevator, use a tissue to push the button. This is a common practice to establish everywhere. The same goes for bathroom doors, use a paper towel.

[brian_uk]

The one thing we noticed last year was that you helped yourself in the Buffet.....not the most hygenic method.

 

That was a major difference between az and O. On O you were always served in the buffet and there was less chance of cross contamination.

 

Having said all that we are booked again on Az.

 

Brian

[katzoe]

I have received a text message from my sister Aussie Girl with the following information -

 

Passengers did not board Quest in Hong Kong yesterday until 6.00pm because the ship was being cleaned from top to bottom due to norovirus. They were taken to Disneyland for the afternoon. Their cases weren't delivered until 8.30pm.

 

Lets hope all is okay now.

 

Lorraine

[uktog]

Lets hope that gets things sorted out - though the cleaning before was very thorough so they must have been going for an even deeper clean than before

[kathy27]

see roll call for 2/14/09 about 127 people with norovirus on official account more like double without crew people still going down with it on way into Hong Kong cleanliness appauling in cabins Kathy:confused:

[Lobbylin]

I have received a text message from my sister Aussie Girl with the following information -

 

Passengers did not board Quest in Hong Kong yesterday until 6.00pm because the ship was being cleaned from top to bottom due to norovirus. They were taken to Disneyland for the afternoon. Their cases weren't delivered until 8.30pm.

 

Lets hope all is okay now.

 

Lorraine

 

Thanks for the info Lorraine,

I am on the cruise after Jennie's. I will take my time getting to the port!;)

 

Linda

[Lobbylin]

Thanks for the info Lorraine,

I am on the cruise after Jennie's. I will take my time getting to the port!;)

 

Linda

 

I had an email from Aussiegal which says:

 

"Gradually everything is returning to normal. The ship is thoroughly cleaned of all norovirus and everyone has to wipe their hands before eating etc. There were over 170 people ill on the last cruise and that is why the CDC stepped in. Today, we have salt and pepper shakers on our tables and sugar and jams."

 

I am much more contented about our upcoming Quest cruise, but still intend to be very prudent about cleanliness and intend to give my own cabin a bit of a spring clean with anti-viral cleaners!:D

 

Linda :)

[Jade13]

:confused:

Hong Kong to Tanjin over 60 cases, crew unknown

Tanjin to HK 20+ cases

No useful status reports issued

Mantra of handwash repeated

Any press reports out there

 

I just looked at the roll call and disappointed to see the comments. We are booked on the Quest for next February and I am now having doubts. We were on Celebrity last year and I thought the customer service was poor (mainly pre-cruise staff) but did have waiters telling us not to forget the comment cards and "good is not good enough" was not classy at all. I thought being given 12 envelopes for tips was tacky as well (6 for my daughters cabin - we had pre-paid our gratuities but do generally give extra). I understand norvirous is not the ships fault but when passengers talk of other issues with staff it has me concerned. If only HAL had not taken the Rotterdam out of Asia we would be booked on her...Someone else we know who has been on over 40 cruises had a cruise on Journey which they rank as their number 1 cruise.

[slotl]

Thanks for the info Lorraine,

I am on the cruise after Jennie's. I will take my time getting to the port!;)

 

Linda

 

 

Linda,

We are on the cruise AFTER you (Singapore to Athens). Jennie (AussieGal) also said that hers was the LAST cruise for Capt. Carl Smith.

 

I'm CRUSHED. We cruised with him on the Journey on his LAST cruise as staff captain. When all of "us passengers" got off the ship, Captn. Carl took the helm of the ship.

 

I was hoping against hope to sail with him again.

 

We will be leaving March 12 to fly to Auckland where we will be on the HAL Volendam from Auckland to Singapore where we will pick up the Quest 3 days later.

 

:D I'll wave to you as you get off and we get on.:D