Norovirus issues on other cruise line

[Buckeye Princess]

So I'm helping a friend out who recently got back from another cruise line. Her family all came down with what she suspects was norovirus but the cruise ship basically ignored it. She heard crew members talk about working while sick, and when she asked if they should quarantine themselves they were told not to worry. Who she should contact about this? She is worried that the current policy is going to make others sick if it continues.

 

[mickey2000]

So I'm helping a friend out who recently got back from another cruise line. Her family all came down with what she suspects was norovirus but the cruise ship basically ignored it. She heard crew members talk about working while sick, and when she asked if they should quarantine themselves they were told not to worry. Who she should contact about this? She is worried that the current policy is going to make others sick if it continues.

I would need to know the cruise line in order to comment. I have read about this with many different lines who ALL did thier job. Strange ????

 

[mickey2000]

2011
Cruise Line Cruise Ship Sailing Dates Causative Agent
Holland America Line ms Maasdam 12/23–01/02 Norovirus
Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Spirit 12/18–12/25 Norovirus
Holland America Line Ryndam 12/11–12/18 Norovirus
Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Solstice 11/28–12/11 Norovirus
Holland America Line Ryndam 11/03–11/20 Norovirus
Princess Cruises Sea Princess 05/30-06/09 Norovirus
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Sea Lion 05/21-05/28 Unknown
Princess Cruises Sea Princess 05/20-05/30 Norovirus
Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Millennium 05/20-05/27 Unknown
Princess Cruises Coral Princess 05/04-05/19 Norovirus
Princess Cruises Coral Princess 04/24-05/04 Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)
Oceania Cruises MV Marina 02/26-03/15 Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)
Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Solstice 01/30-02/06 Norovirus
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Radiance of the Seas 01/03-01/08 Norovirus

 

[bobbiwoz]

We got off Carnival at Tampa on February 5 and it had been announced on TV that 2 Princess Cruise ships had outbreaks of the norovirus. The ships were going to be held up for decontamination before they went out.

 

[sissy_ib]

I think we need a lot more details. Did they go to the ships doctor? Did they go to the doctor when they got home? What line and what itinerary? There was an outbreak just last week that caused a ship to come back two days early. They had outbreaks two weeks in a two so they had to decontaminate the ship. I know they refunded everyone's money and gave them 25% their next cruise plus took care of flights and hotels.

 

[Buckeye Princess]

It was a Carnival Caribbean cruise. They called guest services to see what they should be doing and to ask if they should confine themselves to their room and were just blown off. Rather than being sent to the doctor the doctor called their room to ask their symptoms and were told it was probably nothing and to drink fluids. Their kids were under 5 so they were told they don't dispense medication for children that young and to just hydrate. During the cruise they witnessed two kids being dropped off at the kid's clubs with parents saying the kids were sick but that it was probably just seasicknes and the counselors saying ok, no questions. They also spoke with a few staff members who sympathized with their situation saying they had just been or were currently sick and how it stunk to work while sick. What she wants to know is if contacting the cruise company fails, is there a governing body who she should alert? She felt like they were trying to ignore her so that they didn't have to document the cases.

 

[CruznLexi]

Our hospital had Noro virus in early Dec with signs not to visit. Our pt's were contained in a separate wing and people would come in anyway and some with young kids. The policy for staff was no working if any signs of Noro virus and had to symptom free for 48.

 

[mickey2000]

From Cruise Critic


Q: What exactly is the CDC, and how is it involved?
A: The CDC operates under the authority of the U.S. Public Health Service Act; its mission is to prevent the introduction and spread of communicable diseases in the U.S. More specifically, its Vessel Sanitation Program monitors illness outbreaks on ships carrying more than 13 passengers. Twenty-four hours prior to arrival at a U.S. port from a foreign port, vessels must report to the CDC the number of passengers and crew onboard, and the number of passengers and crew who have reported to the ship's medical staff with a gastrointestinal illness -- even if that number is zero. Therefore, the CDC has reports from every cruise vessel, on just about every cruise, even if there was no illness.

If at any time during the cruise the number of ill passengers or crew exceeds 2 percent, the vessel must file a special report notifying CDC of the illness. Almost all of these reports are generated electronically.






Q: What do cruise lines do to halt the spread of Norovirus? A: Typically, when there's a significant outbreak of Norovirus or a similar illness (the CDC requires cruise lines to immediately file a report when more than 2 percent of passengers report symptoms), crewmembers clean even more thoroughly than usual -- with stronger solvents. Buffet service often switches from "help yourself" to manned stations. You may see salt and pepper shakers disappear from tables. Beyond that, crewmembers distribute information to passengers onboard offering precautionary tips, as well as a heads-up memo at embarkation to travelers boarding a ship that had previously seen a high percentage of illness. And, as mentioned above, passengers who report symptoms may be quarantined to the their cabins.

There are also behind-the-scenes procedures that cruise lines must follow. For instance, medical officers are required to maintain illness incident counts for each voyage that involves a stop at an American port. They are also required to communicate to the CDC, within 24-hours of arrival at a U.S. port, "the number of passengers and crew members who reported diarrhea to the ship's medical staff" during that voyage.

In serious cases where outbreaks cannot be contained, cruise lines might actually pull a ship out of service for a few days so it can undergo a more thorough sanitization. These enhanced cleanings are generally coordinated with the CDC.

 

[sherievald]

I came down with what the doctor on the Magic referred to as the Norovirus on Thursday of our 2/4/12 sailing of the Disney Magic. The staff from Guest Services, to Stateroom Host, to the Medical Staff, Dining Room team, EVERYONE was wonderful!!! As soon as I notified the front desk that I was sick, I was contacted by the medical staff. They asked that I update them if I got sick again - which I did within a short while. I went to the medical center, they were fabulous. I was treated great!! I did stay in my room, but leaving my room was really not an option. When my isolation period was coming to a close (after 24 hours) I was hoping they would allow me to leave the boat to go on Castaway Cay 1/2 hour early - it was not "negotiable" according to the medical staff and crew. Although I was terribly disappointed, I give Disney great credit for their diligence in keeping this contained. Also, both of my travel partners in my cabin did NOT get the virus on the ship and still have not! I credit Disney, as well as, myself and my friends for not spreading this Norovirus any further! If I'm going to be unfortunate enough to contact the Norovirus - at least I was on the Disney Magic in the middle of the Caribbean and as awful as that was - I still am a lucky person to have sailed Disney!
Disney Magic Western 7 Day 2007
Disney Magic Western Double Dip 7 Day 2008
Disney Magic Western Double Dip 7 Day 2009
Disney Magic Western Double Dip 7 day 2010
Disney Wonder Mexican Riveria 7 day 2011
Disney Magic Western 7 day 2011
Disney Magic Western 7 day 2012
Anticipating my 15 day Hawaiin Cruise in April/May 2012

 

[mickey2000]

Look here:

http://news.brevardtimes.com/2012/02/port-canaveral-cruise-ships-have-high.html

2/9/12

 

[ducky_love]

One of my best friends was on the Princess sailing that was cut short for norovirus. She said she had never been so sick in her life. The cruise line did nothing for her at all. She normally only sails Disney and now I don't think she'll ever cruise another cruise line! She's sailing with me next month!

I know it can happen anywhere but I really believe Disney would take better care of us than anyone else.

 

[DLW8]

A friend of mine was on the first of those 2 Princess cruises and she was also very sick, she said 500 people had the noro virus. She spent the last half of the week in quarantine and miserably sick. She hasn't told me if they got any compensation, but she did know that the ship had to return early on the next cruise.

This experience has definitely turned her off from cruising, and I don't know that I can blame her!

On the 2 Disney cruises we have been on, there was definitely a diligence in the hand sanitizing. Making sure everyone got a hand wipe as they entered a restaurant/buffet, etc. I just hope that norovirus doesn't affect any more cruisers in that big of a manner.

PP - glad to hear that Disney handled it well, and that you are feeling better!

 

[ccgirl]

It was a Carnival Caribbean cruise. They called guest services to see what they should be doing and to ask if they should confine themselves to their room and were just blown off. Rather than being sent to the doctor the doctor called their room to ask their symptoms and were told it was probably nothing and to drink fluids. Their kids were under 5 so they were told they don't dispense medication for children that young and to just hydrate. During the cruise they witnessed two kids being dropped off at the kid's clubs with parents saying the kids were sick but that it was probably just seasicknes and the counselors saying ok, no questions. They also spoke with a few staff members who sympathized with their situation saying they had just been or were currently sick and how it stunk to work while sick. What she wants to know is if contacting the cruise company fails, is there a governing body who she should alert? She felt like they were trying to ignore her so that they didn't have to document the cases.

I seem to hear more and more about people complaining about "norovirus" when it is not norovirus at all. If the doctor asked their symptoms and dismissed, I would think the symptoms displayed did not mirror those shown in norovirus. There is definitely a virus doing around. 3 children from my DD's class were sent home vomitting yesterday and my son started last night.

I have to ask..as far as posters being upset other parents dropped their kids off in the kids club....how many would keep their child home from WDW if they had a virus?

 

[TitanBrett]

1/3/12 Disney dream had a ton of sick people, to the point where salt and pepper shakers were taken off of tables One family I talked to told me they called the medical center but never got a return call, their theory was Disney would want to report as few cases as possible.

 

[lbgraves]

One of my best friends was on the Princess sailing that was cut short for norovirus. She said she had never been so sick in her life. The cruise line did nothing for her at all. She normally only sails Disney and now I don't think she'll ever cruise another cruise line! She's sailing with me next month!

I know it can happen anywhere but I really believe Disney would take better care of us than anyone else.

DCL isn't perfect. In January 2010 we were on a 3-night Wonder cruise and our friends all contracted Norovirus over the course of the cruise. In fact, their entire aft hall was sick with this. GS was horrible. The medical center wouldn't see them just brushing them off to drink fluids. The stateroom host refused to enter the room to clean or replace the soiled towels. There were 2 adults and 2 kids in that cat 11 and all were sick at some point, so not pretty. They had to take turns seeing who could make it from deck 2 to deck 9 for drinks to try and stay hydrated. She went to request help at GS, got sick in the atrium, and was again brushed off.

When we got home we saw threads on the DIS talking about the fact that there had been an outbreak on the ship the 2-3 cruises before ours. Ours was the first cruise where they didn't have the drink stations & buffets staffed by CMs to help prevent the spread. Evidently, they lowered their guard too quickly.

 

[mickey2000]

DCL isn't perfect. In January 2010 we were on a 3-night Wonder cruise and our friends all contracted Norovirus over the course of the cruise. In fact, their entire aft hall was sick with this. GS was horrible. The medical center wouldn't see them just brushing them off to drink fluids. The stateroom host refused to enter the room to clean or replace the soiled towels. There were 2 adults and 2 kids in that cat 11 and all were sick at some point, so not pretty. They had to take turns seeing who could make it from deck 2 to deck 9 for drinks to try and stay hydrated. She went to request help at GS, got sick in the atrium, and was again brushed off.

When we got home we saw threads on the DIS talking about the fact that there had been an outbreak on the ship the 2-3 cruises before ours. Ours was the first cruise where they didn't have the drink stations & buffets staffed by CMs to help prevent the spread. Evidently, they lowered their guard too quickly.

Guess it was less than 2% of the ship as its not listed ?

2010
Cruise Line Cruise Ship Sailing Dates Causative Agent
Cunard Line Queen Mary 2 12/19-01/03/2011 Unknown
Crystal Cruises‬ Crystal Symphony 11/02-11/21 Unknown
Holland America Line‬ Nieuw Amsterdam 10/18-11/07 Norovirus
Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Glory 10/09-10/16 Norovirus
Holland America Line Zuiderdam 04/20-05/08 Unknown
Celebrity Cruises Mercury 03/08-03/19 Norovirus
Celebrity Cruises Mercury 02/26-03/08 Norovirus
Royal Caribbean International Jewel of the Seas 02/22-03/05 Unknown
Celebrity Cruises Millennium 02/22-03/05 Norovirus
Holland America Line Maasdam 02/19-03/05 Norovirus
Celebrity Cruises Mercury 02/15-02/26 Norovirus
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Balmoral 01/05-02/04 Unknown
Cunard Cruise Line Queen Victoria 01/12-01/27 Unknown
Cunard Cruise Line Queen Victoria 01/04-01/12 Norovirus

 

[woody73]

From Cruise Critic

Q: What exactly is the CDC, and how is it involved?

A: . . . Twenty-four hours prior to arrival at a U.S. port from a foreign port, vessels must report to the CDC the number of passengers and crew onboard, and the number of passengers and crew who have reported to the ship's medical staff with a gastrointestinal illness . . .

DCL isn't perfect. In January 2010 we were on a 3-night Wonder cruise and our friends all contracted Norovirus over the course of the cruise. In fact, their entire aft hall was sick with this. GS was horrible. The medical center wouldn't see them just brushing them off to drink fluids.

Guess it was less than 2% of the ship as its not listed ?

Ships are only required to report "the number of passengers and crew who have reported to the ship's medical staff with a gastrointestinal illness." In other words, the ship's official report only tracks those who actually visit the ship's medical center.

As lbgraves pointed out, her friends contracted Norovirus, but "the medical center wouldn't see them just brushing them off . . ."

It is highly likely that more than 2% of the people on the Wonder had Norovirus. But because the medical center refused to see passengers who contracted the virus, Disney was able to keep it's report for that sailing under the 2% threshold. So that's how an infected ship is able to stay off the CDC's list.

The worst part is that by refusing to see passengers with Norovirus, the ship's medical center did not give those passengers appropriate treatment, such as fluids containing electrolytes (Pedialyte for infants and small children).

Woody

 

[mickey2000]

Thanks Woody!
You did a great job on what happens.
I also posted a link above on an article that says Port Canaveral Cruise Ships Have High Sanitation Rankings

 

[mississaugamom]

There was an outbreak on the Disney Wonder last week (02/05 cruise). When we came back onboard on second Cabo day, there was no more self-service anywhere. Drinks, ice cream and all food at Beach Blanket Buffet were served by staff wearing gloves. Condiments were gone from Pluto's Doghouse as well.

The dining rooms were also affected. We were in Triton's for semi-formal that night and the tables were not set prior to people sitting down. Dips for bread were not available, nor was the breadbasket. Bread/rolls were placed on our plates by the assistant server. Salt and pepper shakers were gone (paper packets offered instead) ... anything that could involve hand-to-hand contact was not available. We know of a number of people who were confined to their cabins.

My family had been quite vigilant throughout the cruise, and decided to not attend the Walt Disney Theatre for our show since we were the third group that day for Disney Dreams. We watched on the tv in our stateroom instead. Thankfully we didn't come down with anything ourselves but did see plenty of evidence where there were problems. Our servers expected the extra measures to continue into the next cruise. Hope everyone stays healthy this week!!

 

[lbgraves]

Guess it was less than 2% of the ship as its not listed ?

It is possible that the numbers were below the report minimum. I know that DCL has it's own numbers when it comes to restricting guest's access and direct contact with food. We have been on two cruises where this has been in place for at least part of the cruise. However, like Woody pointed out, you have to question the accuracy of the numbers at times. She got the distinct feeling from all CMs and medical staff that they just wanted to get the 3-nights over with so they could clean the ship again and move on. With a 7-night cruise they have to treat it differently because it could last much longer. Also, you have a chance to actually recover from it and enjoy the rest of the cruise. Even if they were the only family onboard who suffered from this, there was no excuse for the way they were treated. It started out with someone getting sick at the safety drill. Oh, DCL DID do something. GS sent them a tray of petit fours -- as if that was going to make four people who couldn't keep anything down happy. Since we were linked to their stateroom, we also received the treats, but didn't find out what had happened until after we got home and they recooperated and were able to talk about their experience.