Possible Code Red On Westerdam

[spcl4cs_gal]

Our Captain just announced that bread and rolls will now be served instead of a basket being on the table, and salt and pepper will only be available upon request. No idea how many cases are on board and whether it is passengers or crew or both but Westerdam will be taking things cautiously. :(

[hammybee]

This was recently posted to a different CC forum, by a frequent poster with more than 30 years of onboard employment and known to many on this forum:

 

"The CDC did a study recently and announced that 60% of passengers on EVERY domestic USA flight come down with some sort of virus within 48 hours of leaving the airplane.

 

They also tell us in their seminars for Cruise Line employees that they estimate that on EVERY mass market sailing, at least 40 passengers with Norovirus come aboard. Some know they have it and try to conceal it; others contracted it in the hotel or on the airplane just before the cruise."

[KAYEF]

In L.A. we had a woman on our bus from the airport to the pier who kept talking about her high fever...............was coughing terribly, whose face was dark red and who seemed to be trying to "infect" everyone.

She told her husband she wasn't going to tell them she was sick (we'd been handed those health forms on the transfer) cuz she didn't want to miss the cruise.

Several of us reported her after she got off the bus and handed them the form; they did nothing. She was allowed to board.:mad:

 

(it wasn't HAL; it was the P line)

[Krazy Kruizers]

AHHHHH -- let's hope that the Westerdam doesn't have the VIRUS........... and if they do --- get rid of it in the next 3 weeks.!!!!!

[Kabana]

Yikes! We board on 4/12, hopefully the bug will be gone.

[fatcat04]

We board on Sunday... ah well, if it is true, we'll roll with it. ;) But I do hope it isn't. :(

[lettienets]

"The CDC did a study recently and announced that 60% of passengers on EVERY domestic USA flight come down with some sort of virus within 48 hours of leaving the airplane....

And we know it is the recycled air in the airplane carrying all these germs but airlines won't being in more fresh air because it has something to do with added cost. Who doesn't feel lousey, on a long flight in particular?:(

[HALFans]

Our Captain just announced that bread and rolls will now be served instead of a basket being on the table, and salt and pepper will only be available upon request. No idea how many cases are on board and whether it is passengers or crew or both but Westerdam will be taking things cautiously. :(

 

Just remember 4 little words... "Happy Birthday to You" as you wash, wash, wash! :D

 

Just imagine putting your tongue everywhere you put your hands :eek: - so wash, wash, wash & you'll be just fine!

 

Best of luck & enjoy your cruise with all the extra space you'll have. ;)

[bellebaby]

AHHHHH -- let's hope that the Westerdam doesn't have the VIRUS........... and if they do --- get rid of it in the next 3 weeks.!!!!!

 

KK

 

I thought about you when I read this...It would be a drag to be in Code Red for 21 days!

 

B

[bazarr2]

In L.A. we had a woman on our bus from the airport to the pier who kept talking about her high fever...............was coughing terribly, whose face was dark red and who seemed to be trying to "infect" everyone.

She told her husband she wasn't going to tell them she was sick (we'd been handed those health forms on the transfer) cuz she didn't want to miss the cruise.

Several of us reported her after she got off the bus and handed them the form; they did nothing. She was allowed to board.:mad:

 

(it wasn't HAL; it was the P line)

 

 

Before our cruise in February we were flying to Fort Lauderdale and the woman in front of us first threw up and then pooped her pants and she was on her way to a cruise. I thought for sure we would come down with something but we got lucky.

When we were waiting to board we had to fill in a health form and asked us if we had flu like symptoms and if we did we could still board but we had to see the ship doctor to be checked out.

[quilterdeb]

Our Captain just announced that bread and rolls will now be served instead of a basket being on the table, and salt and pepper will only be available upon request. No idea how many cases are on board and whether it is passengers or crew or both but Westerdam will be taking things cautiously. :(

So, what exactly happens when there is a code red? Does the ship still sail?

I too am boarding Westerdam this Sunday. I guess I will need a couple extra little bottles of antibacterial hand wash! Maybe less dinners in the Lido buffet and more in the dining room or room service.

[spcl4cs_gal]

KK

 

I thought about you when I read this...It would be a drag to be in Code Red for 21 days!

 

B

 

A clerk in the shops tonight told me that he was on the Zuiderdam once and they were in Code Red for a month.

:eek:

[Sleepladypalmdesert]

Before our cruise in February we were flying to Fort Lauderdale and the woman in front of us first threw up and then pooped her pants and she was on her way to a cruise. I thought for sure we would come down with something but we got lucky.

When we were waiting to board we had to fill in a health form and asked us if we had flu like symptoms and if we did we could still board but we had to see the ship doctor to be checked out.

 

Good God!!! Can you imagine being so sick that you poop your pants on an airplane? How horrible for everyone...the pooper and the poopees...the smell on that airplane much have been unbelieveable! I wonder if she still boarded...poop pants and all.

[spcl4cs_gal]

This notice is rather lengthy but in a nutshell it says that there has been an increase of GI cases on the WE in the past few days and as a result they are taking precautions. These include modifications in the Lido restaurant, snacks in the bars, magazines, games and puzzle loans, spa appointments, and the use of gloves in the casino if you so wish. Our waiter in the Vista dining room told us tonight that there have been 10 reported cases on board, all of which are passengers. What a way to spend your last few days at sea. :rolleyes:

[Sleepladypalmdesert]

This notice is rather lengthy but in a nutshell it says that there has been an increase of GI cases on the WE in the past few days and as a result they are taking precautions. These include modifications in the Lido restaurant, snacks in the bars, magazines, games and puzzle loans, spa appointments, and the use of gloves in the casino if you so wish. Our waiter in the Vista dining room told us tonight that there have been 10 reported cases on board, all of which are passengers. What a way to spend your last few days at sea. :rolleyes:

 

Hopefully they will get ahead of it and the Code Red will be short lived. We were under Code Red on the Zaandam a few weeks ago and it really was not that bad. The number of cases steadily wend downward and soon we were out. I really did not mind it that much at all. I did feel a bit sorry for the crew. They worked themselved to death.

[HALFans]

Please read this article for some fascinating information on the Norovirus.

 

http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-You-Get-a-Cruise-Virus&id=1601411

 

The article is by the same person who authored Cruise Confidential.

[FNSIII]

Okay..now I am worried. I board in a week and 3 days. What is a "Code Red"? What has salt and pepper got to do with it?

 

Frank

[pipedreams62]

Good God!!! Can you imagine being so sick that you poop your pants on an airplane? How horrible for everyone...the pooper and the poopees...the smell on that airplane much have been unbelieveable! I wonder if she still boarded...poop pants and all.

 

 

Who you calling "Poopee" pants?

 

 

 

[fatcat04]

Please read this article for some fascinating information on the Norovirus.

 

http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-You-Get-a-Cruise-Virus&id=1601411

 

The article is by the same person who authored Cruise Confidential.

 

Interesting article. Had never really thought about how difficult it must make the crews life but I can only imagine the trouble and work it causes them. Thanks for sharing.

 

For those who asked about a Code Red and how it effects a cruise... HERE is another article that has a lot of info.

 

And here is some "handy" info from the CDC for cruise ship passengers:

 

• When to Wash your Hands:
  
• Before:
  
  • Touching your hand to your mouth including:
    
    • Eating and drinking,
      
    • Smoking,
      
    • Brushing your teeth,
      

    [*]Helping a sick person.

  [*]After:

  • Going to the bathroom
    
  • Changing diapers
    
  • Touching high-hand contact surfaces, such as:
    
    • Door knobs
      
    • Railings
      

    [*]Returning to your cabin

    [*]Helping a sick person

    [*]Blowing your nose

  [*]How to wash your hands:

  [*]1. Wet your hands with warm water.

  [*]2. Apply a generous amount of soap.

  [*]3. Rub your hands together for 20 seconds.

  [*]4. Rinse your hands.

  [*]5. Dry your hands with a paper towel.

  [*]6. Use the paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.

  [*]What about alcohol-based hand sanitizers?

  • CDC recommends that cruise ship passengers use warm water and soap to wash their hands. Washing is always best.
    
  • If water and soap are NOT available (perhaps on excursions), use an ethanol alcohol-based (a minimum 62%) hand sanitizer, preferably in a gel form.
    

[dam1050]

Before our cruise in February we were flying to Fort Lauderdale and the woman in front of us first threw up and then pooped her pants and she was on her way to a cruise.

 

Thanks for sharing :eek:

[timothy998]

We'd already planned to take chlorinated wipes, on advice from our travel agent, to clean our cabins upon gaining entry to them, and tonight we have added a bottle of anti-bacterial lotion to our luggage, just in case. That said, as I mentioned on our roll call, we're first time cruisers so this will be our "reference point" cruise, so we'll not know "any better," but will just be extra careful and enjoy the great adventure that awaits us in just a few hours.

[YHZcruiser]

Please read this article for some fascinating information on the Norovirus.

 

http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-You-Get-a-Cruise-Virus&id=1601411

 

The article is by the same person who authored Cruise Confidential.

 

Thanks for this info. When we cruised on Azamara last fall, they had the hand sanitizer outside where they greeted passengers at the gangway, they had them everywhere on the ship, and particularly at the entrance to the DR and other food service venues. Weird thing to see there but most people were good and used it. Now that I know about this info, I'll wash even more diligently!

[jbackus8746]

I hope there is no Code Red as wife and I board her on April 12!

[jrzebird]

Okay..now I am worried. I board in a week and 3 days. What is a "Code Red"? What has salt and pepper got to do with it?

 

Frank

 

To answer your question, when a ship goes Code Red (a condition where they enact special precautions to stop the spread of the gastro/intenstinal virus known as Norwalk or Noro virus) they take the salt and pepper shakers off the tables, so you aren't picking up something that others who may have the virus have previously touched. This is how it's spread. You can no longer help yourself at the buffet, or even get your own coffee, they place everything on your plate and erect a barrier between you and the food; the rolls are no longer on the tables, but a steward hands them out with tongs; the hot tubs and mineral pool are closed; the books in the library are off limits; they remove the cloth towels from the rest rooms and replace them with paper; they ask that you use your own bathroom whenever possible; they place tissues by the elevators and suggest you take one upon entering to press the button and throw it out when you get off the elevator. The crew has to work very hard when this happens, because they are also busy disinfecting the ship every time you turn around. You will see entertainers and family members helping out in the Lido so you can be served quickly.

 

Generally, unless you get sick, it really isn't that bad. You may have to wait a minute or so more to get your coffee, but I looked at it as an upgrade in service. We were under Code Red for 9 days on our last cruise. Attitude is everything, in my opinion. If you make it negative, it will be.

 

And the most important thing, WASH YOUR HANDS. Don't rely on the sanitizer they have you use at every doorway, although you must use that, too. But, wash, wash, wash, wash, and you will most likely be fine.

[KAYEF]

Be sure to take some sanitizing wipes and especially remember to wipe down the remote control and the telephone when you're "doing" your cabin.;)