Swine flu updates from Cruise Critic

[lighthouse58]

we are scheduled to sail NEXT week, to cozumel and calica, hope more info comes out before then....

 

MY MOTHER DIED OF MRSA......... not funny, it was horrible to see her in that condition................

[editor@cruisecritic]

And at JFK's terminal four, when we checked in with Qatar Airways (going to Crystal cruise from Singapore to Dubai) all the check in staff were wearing face masks. They also handed us a piece of paper that said that passengers on all flights from the US (DC, New York, Houston) will be required to wear surgical masks throughout the flight. Fair enough.

 

One thing I thought was nicely done on the sheet is the part that says if you don't feel well when you're checking in, let us know. What I liked was this: "this is part of [your] personal responsibility to reduce the impact of transmitting the disease to fellow passengers and the crew onboard".

 

"Personal responsibility". Important to remember. One sick person can ruin vacations for a lot of people.

 

Not going anywhere near Mexico but am happy to answer any questions about traveling internationally. Please drop me a note at editor@cruisecritic.com.

 

Carolyn

 

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor in Chief

Cruise Critic

[FamilyMiracle]

we are scheduled to sail NEXT week, to cozumel and calica, hope more info comes out before then....

 

MY MOTHER DIED OF MRSA......... not funny, it was horrible to see her in that condition................

 

 

We also sail next week, and have 2 asthmatic children, and 70+ yr old inlaws celebrating their 50th anniversary onboard as well. So we are also watching closely.

[5waldos]

The death rate outside of Mexico is 0%.

 

This is NOTHING like the 1917-18 flu.

 

The moral is what? If it is only Mexicans dead it doesn't count? What are you saying?

[nolaAlive]

The moral is what? If it is only Mexicans dead it doesn't count? What are you saying?

 

The fact is that nobody outside of Mexico has died. All cases outside of Mexico from the same virus have been mild. This has not been true in other epidemics.

 

Please don't put words in my mouth. I think someone else already claimed that job.

 

While it is serious, I think there is a lot of overreaction going on OUTSIDE of Mexico. Mexico is where the real help is needed.

[saltcreek76]

I am very concerned about my daughter and parents, who are onboard the Splendor, which left L.A. yesterday headed for Puerto Vallarta. While every other agency, airline, etc. seems to be taking the swine flu very seriously, the cruise line seems very under-concerned for the safety of the passengers on that ship.

 

Melissa from Cruise critic, please post an update if you hear anything new about plans to cancel ports or come home!

 

Thank you.

[maxamuus]

Salt creek -

 

I too have friends on-board. Right now everything is a go but today and tomorrow are sea days and then Carnival will decide with the most up to date info Wednesday before they pull into port. No need to worry quite yet. Im sure you 5yo daughter is enjoying the pool and camp carnival. =)

 

Max

[zillabe]

According to the CDC website

 

 

• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
  
• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications; and
  
• about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.
  

 

36,000 people...why don't people get all upset about those numbers?

 

Not saying I'm not worried about the swine flu, but I think at this point the media had blown it way out of proportion..

[nolaAlive]

I am very concerned about my daughter and parents, who are onboard the Splendor, which left L.A. yesterday headed for Puerto Vallarta. While every other agency, airline, etc. seems to be taking the swine flu very seriously, the cruise line seems very under-concerned for the safety of the passengers on that ship.

 

Melissa from Cruise critic, please post an update if you hear anything new about plans to cancel ports or come home!

 

Thank you.

 

I anticipate regular updates - there are some 200 CC members on board

 

One of the reasons we are paying specific attention to this thread, here on the Carnival forum, is because we have almost 200 members and hosts (and LauraS, our community manager) currently onboard Carnival Splendor en route to the Mexican Riviera. We wanted to create a place for them to share information about what's happening onboard, as well as a place for everyone to chat about their opinions and concerns.

 

Keep checking back for details from Laura and the crew. So far -- swine flu is a barely discussed topic on the ship, ironically....

[nolaAlive]

According to the CDC website

 

 

• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
  
• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications; and
  
• about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.
  

 

36,000 people...why don't people get all upset about those numbers?

 

Not saying I'm not worried about the swine flu, but I think at this point the media had blown it way out of proportion..

 

And those numbers are just for the US. NOT the world.

[saltcreek76]

Thank you Max :) I am glad to know that they aren't scheduled to go into port until Wednesday. Hopefully by then they will have enough information to make a wise decision. (I hope they decide not to go into port, but we'll see what happens.)

 

Thanks for the info :)

[lighthouse58]

yes, mrsa is a staph infection, but her dr was an infectious disease specialist, and I was her primary caregiver when she was home. no one could touch her unless they wore latex gloves and washed immediately afterwards.

 

That's why I hope more information comes to light before I step on that ship on Monday.

We don't plan on cancelling our trip, but I don't want to be responsible for the

spreading of a virus to ANYONE>>>>>>>

[maxamuus]

(I hope they decide not to go into port, but we'll see what happens.)

 

Salt - Keep in mind even if they do go into port its the equal to you going to the mall in December to buy her Xmas gifts. This is nothing more then the flu and every Xmas you go out and do your shopping. Except this is the Flu at the very end of the flu season so it is even less harful.

 

I know the media has us all thinking this is the end of the world but take a deep breath and remember its just the flu.

 

NOTICE I DIDNT ONCE SAY PANIC TO SOME OF YOU!

[nolaAlive]

I'm sorry about your Mother.

 

I too would like more information, but unfortunately, one has to filter through all the rumors and misinformation being spread around.

 

People want answers now, and there just aren't any until more is known about what is going around and why only one country has recorded deaths as a result.

[katikat]

I am freaking out as well. I am scheduled on Splendor on May 3rd, with my 2.5 year old. I wish they just cruised near Cabo all 7 days, as I wasnt going to get out in Mexico ports anyway.

If nobody got out in ports, we will all be fine.

On the other hand, the only way to ensure that you don't catch the flu is to isolate yourself completely from the outside world. Because if swine spreads fast, you will not be safe even at home. You can go to the grocery store and have someone infected sneeze at you...and that's it.

So, no point to worry.

[burnsie]

Isn't the concern with the swine flu that it is affecting normally healthy individuals between the ages of 3 and 60 yrs old. The yearly influenza flu will do the most harm with young children under the age of 3 and those who are over 60 who would be considered immuno compromised.

 

I am not in a panic over this but I did warn my sister and son who both work at the airport if they were working on a flight coming in from an infected area I would double glove when inspecting baggage or a person. Just as the lab workers have been recommended to do when doing the test for influenza for anyone who has traveled to that area and may be infected.

 

 

As others have said watcht he CDC sight and the World Health Organization site for infromation.

[JBDigitalphoto]

I didn't read all the posts, but I wanted to say that the cases in NYC are all kids that were in Cancun during Easter week. I don't know about any other areas of Mexico, but Cancun is definitely affected.

 

There is a private school here in SC that was closed today, beacuse some seniors went to Cancun on a senior trip and now have flu like symptions

[5waldos]

The fact is that nobody outside of Mexico has died. All cases outside of Mexico from the same virus have been mild. This has not been true in other epidemics.

 

Please don't put words in my mouth. I think someone else already claimed that job.

 

While it is serious, I think there is a lot of overreaction going on OUTSIDE of Mexico. Mexico is where the real help is needed.

 

The fact is that it is very early in this epidemic, and with luck and a lot of hard work maybe we can keep it under control so that hundreds or millions do not die. I could offer a number of explanations for the mildness of the cases thus far outside of Mexico, including the fact that many of the victims have been spring breakers and friends (hm...for a moment of lightness here- perhaps the alcohol theory has some merit- if you drink enough you kill most of the buggies?). Anyway, I do think that things will clarify over the next days and weeks.

[nolaAlive]

The fact is that it is very early in this epidemic, and with luck and a lot of hard work maybe we can keep it under control so that hundreds or millions do not die. I could offer a number of explanations for the mildness of the cases thus far outside of Mexico, including the fact that many of the victims have been spring breakers and friends (hm...for a moment of lightness here- perhaps the alcohol theory has some merit- if you drink enough you kill most of the buggies?). Anyway, I do think that things will clarify over the next days and weeks.

 

Young people, or at least those in the 20-40 year old range ARE the high risk in Mexico.

 

I have theorized, but is worth repeating, that the spring breakers did not pick up the disease in Cancun, but more likely an airplane, especially when they determine whether or not they flew through Mexico City.

[WinnipegCruiser]

What happened to good ol' common sense?

 

MSRA

SARS

Y2K

Avian Flu

West Nile

 

 

c'mon people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Mad Cow!

Killer bees.

[melissa@cruisecritic]

That is good news!

 

Melissa..the local San Diego news update Celebrity/Mercury ship debark delay(not HAL) was that Mercury had two stops in Mexico, Cabo and Acapulco from their cruise schedule. The big delay was that 6 passengers were missing and could not be located. So it was a customs/immigration matter. The news did not say if the missing passengers were found. Several people were interviewed and complained about missing their flights..No Swine Flu ...

[MTcruiser]

Young people, or at least those in the 20-40 year old range ARE the high risk in Mexico.

 

I have theorized, but is worth repeating, that the spring breakers did not pick up the disease in Cancun, but more likely an airplane, especially when they determine whether or not they flew through Mexico City.

 

That's possible.

[firefly333]

Young people, or at least those in the 20-40 year old range ARE the high risk in Mexico.

 

I have theorized, but is worth repeating, that the spring breakers did not pick up the disease in Cancun, but more likely an airplane, especially when they determine whether or not they flew through Mexico City.

 

The three in Dallas are 24, 7 and 5 months. The 7 year old is in my town so more on him and they dont know where he could have gotten it?? None of the 3 are related. From the google earth link.

 

Dallas, TX

 

24-year-old, a 7-year-old and a 3-month-old – has been hospitalized, and the cases do not appear to be related, officials said. It is unclear whether any of the three had traveled to Mexico recently.

[melissa@cruisecritic]

Hi saltcreek76,

No news to report tonight re: port cancellations - I understand, and share, your concerns! However, keep in mind that there have been no cases of swine flu in the cities the cruise lines call on in Mexico. I do believe port calls will be canceled if that changes.

We promise to keep you posted.

Melissa

 

I am very concerned about my daughter and parents, who are onboard the Splendor, which left L.A. yesterday headed for Puerto Vallarta. While every other agency, airline, etc. seems to be taking the swine flu very seriously, the cruise line seems very under-concerned for the safety of the passengers on that ship.

 

Melissa from Cruise critic, please post an update if you hear anything new about plans to cancel ports or come home!

 

Thank you.

[5waldos]

Young people, or at least those in the 20-40 year old range ARE the high risk in Mexico.

 

I have theorized, but is worth repeating, that the spring breakers did not pick up the disease in Cancun, but more likely an airplane, especially when they determine whether or not they flew through Mexico City.

 

Interesting theory however until there is any indication that this is accurate the easiest answer is that they flew non-stop from NY. The prices are about the same and it is a much quicker trip. Why would they fly through Mexico City? There are several other cases that identify Cancun as their stop in Mexico. And given the intense interest and concern, it seems likely that the information that they had been in Mexico City would be out there. There is a CDC section that discusses each case- age, gender, probable source, etc. I will have to go back to it if I can find it again.