Anyone recently come home sick from a cruise?

[pixiedust2u]

I'm just thinking we'll have to be very careful. It's going to be rough because we're traveling with a 5 and a 4 year old and they will be in the kids' club and touching everything. Our 2.5 year old, less so. But I'm investing in these little one ounce hand sanitizer bottles that I'm going to attach to lanyards, and then just bring a big bottle of hand sanitizer to refill them with. We'll use what's on the boat as much as we can, but if we sit down to eat at Cabanas and forgot to hand sanitize, this way there will be no excuses.

I think wiping down the rooms is a great idea, and for the week at the parks, I'm going to try to find us outdoor places to eat as often as possible. May also recommend to our party that they mask in enclosed spaces.

Honestly, hand sanitizer isn’t going to do a whole lot. Before eating you should WASH your hands…. Sanitizer does not kill noro virus or other viral stomach bugs. It also does not kill all viral illnesses like adenovirus’s which are very common right now.

As far as respiratory viruses, you’re more likely to catch them via respiratory droplets in the air getting access to you/your kids respiratory system. With kids they wipe snot, cough, sneeze etc out into the open. Ie. Most covid transmission is not from surface contact. If you’re that concerned you could have your kids mask which would provide some slight protection.

A word of caution- we masked on the plane, masked at Disney (even outdoors in more crowded spaces) days before our cruise and we’re very cautious with hand washing and sanitizing. My daughter still ended up the flu on the ship. Despite this, none of us got it from her you just don’t know sometimes. It’s cold and flu season and getting sick is just part of the risk of traveling especially with kids this time of year

One more add…. The incubation period for most viruses going around is about 5-7 days. So it’s equally as important to exercise caution in the week or two leading up to your trip as well. I assume your kids are in school or daycare, these environments are just as germy as WDW etc

 

[Princesca]

Honestly, hand sanitizer isn’t going to do a whole lot. Before eating you should WASH your hands…. Sanitizer does not kill noro virus or other viral stomach bugs. It also does not kill all viral illnesses like adenovirus’s which are very common right now.

As far as respiratory viruses, you’re more likely to catch them via respiratory droplets in the air getting access to you/your kids respiratory system. With kids they wipe snot, cough, sneeze etc out into the open. Ie. Most covid transmission is not from surface contact. If you’re that concerned you could have your kids mask which would provide some slight protection.

A word of caution- we masked on the plane, masked at Disney (even outdoors in more crowded spaces) days before our cruise and we’re very cautious with hand washing and sanitizing. My daughter still ended up the flu on the ship. Despite this, none of us got it from her you just don’t know sometimes. It’s cold and flu season and getting sick is just part of the risk of traveling especially with kids this time of year

One more add…. The incubation period for most viruses going around is about 5-7 days. So it’s equally as important to exercise caution in the week or two leading up to your trip as well. I assume your kids are in school or daycare, these environments are just as germy as WDW etc

Our kid isn't in day care. But yes, I have a toddler, so I am well aware of the benefits of hand washing and being careful leading up to the trip. I'm hoping if we get sick, it's on the cruise, not the parks, and it won't kick in til we're home. I'm okay with recovering from an illness at home, if I have to, but I'm really hoping that our group stays well while on vacation. I'm hoping that since we're going in April, the worst of cold/flu season will be over, and if we're diligent about washing hands and sanitizing and masking in certain areas, we'll stay good. Never any guarantees of course, but I think that existing in this epidemiological environment is about mitigating risk versus eliminating risk (which isn't possible unless you want to shut yourself in your house and never leave).

We managed to avoid COVID until just this month, when we got it from an rarely-coughing relative that we weren't even sitting that close to. So I agree with the experts who are saying this variant is particularly virulent. And as nervous as I was about COVID, I'm more worried about RSV. Someone I'm distantly acquainted with just lost a 7 year old to RSV.

 

[lanejudy]

We'll use what's on the boat as much as we can, but if we sit down to eat at Cabanas and forgot to hand sanitize, this way there will be no excuses.

The kids must use hand-washing stations when they enter the Club/Lab. Also there are hand-washing stations outside of Cabanas, though I don't think it's mandatory. These have been in place since long before covid.

 

[n2mm]

My last three cruises I got sick after each one. Covid, Flu, RSV. I got FluOostered after the first too illnesses, but ended up with RSV in November. I was the sickest with RSV, with bronchitis and lung infections. I took a vaca break, but will be back to cruising the end of April. I also carried hand sanitizer everywhere. truly Not a lot you can do. I am rethinking my fall cruise in 2023.

 

[brentm77]

Honestly, hand sanitizer isn’t going to do a whole lot. Before eating you should WASH your hands…. Sanitizer does not kill noro virus or other viral stomach bugs. It also does not kill all viral illnesses like adenovirus’s which are very common right now.

As far as respiratory viruses, you’re more likely to catch them via respiratory droplets in the air getting access to you/your kids respiratory system. With kids they wipe snot, cough, sneeze etc out into the open. Ie. Most covid transmission is not from surface contact. If you’re that concerned you could have your kids mask which would provide some slight protection.

A word of caution- we masked on the plane, masked at Disney (even outdoors in more crowded spaces) days before our cruise and we’re very cautious with hand washing and sanitizing. My daughter still ended up the flu on the ship. Despite this, none of us got it from her you just don’t know sometimes. It’s cold and flu season and getting sick is just part of the risk of traveling especially with kids this time of year

One more add…. The incubation period for most viruses going around is about 5-7 days. So it’s equally as important to exercise caution in the week or two leading up to your trip as well. I assume your kids are in school or daycare, these environments are just as germy as WDW etc

I learned something new today. I always use hand sanitizer after going through the buffet line, before eating, since I worry about touching the serving utensils everyone else has touched. I had no idea it didn't work well against the norovirus.

 

[Princesca]

I learned something new today. I always use hand sanitizer after going through the buffet line, before eating. I had no idea it didn't work well against the norovirus.

Washing is always best because, as it was explained to me, hand sanitizer leaves the viruses and bacteria on your hands and may (or may not) render them inert, but washing removes them from your hands. Hand sanitizer is really for when you don't have access to wash your hands or it's not practical to go again to do that.

 

[Mango7100]

I learned something new today. I always use hand sanitizer after going through the buffet line, before eating, since I worry about touching the serving utensils everyone else has touched. I had no idea it didn't work well against the norovirus.

Yes hand sanitizer does nothing for norovirus—the virus has a capsid surrounding it which makes it harder to kill and the gel components in hand sanitizer help to protect the virus from the alcohol. There is one sanitizer Germstar that is effective against norovirus. We wash hands with soap and water before eating and after the bathroom and use that in between. Also Lysol and Clorox wipes do not kill it either.

on a side note, we were in the Disney parks over New Years and it was disgusting how many women I saw not wash their hands after using the restrooms. At the Hollywood Brown Derby 3 women came out of stalls while I was waiting and went straight back into the restaurant. So gross.

 

[jimmymc]

I got Covid on a cruise back in August, and this winter I definitely had a bad cold that I probably caught on NYE. I think we just went back to pre-2020 normal.

 

[pixiedust2u]

Yes hand sanitizer does nothing for norovirus—the virus has a capsid surrounding it which makes it harder to kill and the gel components in hand sanitizer help to protect the virus from the alcohol. There is one sanitizer Germstar that is effective against norovirus. We wash hands with soap and water before eating and after the bathroom and use that in between. Also Lysol and Clorox wipes do not kill it either.

on a side note, we were in the Disney parks over New Years and it was disgusting how many women I saw not wash their hands after using the restrooms. At the Hollywood Brown Derby 3 women came out of stalls while I was waiting and went straight back into the restaurant. So gross.

I purchase the hydrogen peroxide surface wipes on Amazon as per my research (which is hopefully accurate!) it does kill noro. Can’t use them on hands though.
Thanks for the info on germstar, hadn’t heard of that!

 

[pixiedust2u]

I learned something new today. I always use hand sanitizer after going through the buffet line, before eating, since I worry about touching the serving utensils everyone else has touched. I had no idea it didn't work well against the norovirus.

Use a paper napkin to handle utensils, or as inconvenient as it is wash your hands before consuming food after going through buffet line.

 

[Princesca]

I purchase the hydrogen peroxide surface wipes on Amazon as per my research (which is hopefully accurate!) it does kill noro. Can’t use them on hands though.
Thanks for the info on germstar, hadn’t heard of that!

Is this a 'you should use gloves when using these wipes and/or immediately wash your hands' situation or more like it's okay if it gets on your skin just don't routinely use it for that?

 

[Mango7100]

I purchase the hydrogen peroxide surface wipes on Amazon as per my research (which is hopefully accurate!) it does kill noro. Can’t use them on hands though.
Thanks for the info on germstar, hadn’t heard of that!

We use the Clorox hydrogen peroxide wipes for the same reason! I think the Germstar is Germstar One—used to be called Germstar Noro but it’s the same formula. It was recommended for cruise ships. It’s more expensive than Purell and stuff but I like it and it doesn’t leave your hands feeling sticky since it’s a spray instead of a gel

 

[Mango7100]

Is this a 'you should use gloves when using these wipes and/or immediately wash your hands' situation or more like it's okay if it gets on your skin just don't routinely use it for that?

I think it’s a “don’t wipe your body on purpose routinely with them like a baby wipe” kind of thing (just like Lysol or regular Clorox wipes). I never use gloves when using them but wash my hands after.

 

[Travel60]

Based on what you wrote - you could take basic precautions:

1. Wear a mask indoor at all times unless eating/drinking/taking a picture
2. Wash hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds
3. Eat outdoors when possible for breakfast or lunch
4. Stay well rested, well hydrated and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables leading up to and on the ship to help give your body natural immunity boosters.
5. Get vaccinated for anything you can that your haven’t yet.

If you have insurance you might be able to cancel for any reason and get your money back or credit for a future sailing.

Yes! I took five 1-to 2-week cruises and 2 land-based trips in 2022 (including 43 days in Europe). None of my party got sick but we did all of the above. We were sometimes the only ones masked but didn't bother us.

 

[mmouse37]

We did 5 cruises, a couple weekend trips and in December a week in WDW with 3 grandkids under 7 and I only got sick after the Wish MV in July. My roommate and I both tested positive for Covid 48 hours after we were home. Both had a very mild case with just a cough and loss of smell/taste for a few days.

My husband got Covid last year in January (but I was fine even sleeping in the same room) a few weeks before a cruise but didn't get sick on any of the cruises themselves, including a 2 week Hawaii land/sea. We only wore masks when it was required. Everyone is different.

Cruising again in March and hoping we don't get sick. Will take handwashing precautions and boost our immune systems in the weeks leading up to the trip.

MJ

 

[pixiedust2u]

Is this a 'you should use gloves when using these wipes and/or immediately wash your hands' situation or more like it's okay if it gets on your skin just don't routinely use it for that?

It recommends using gloves, but I don’t. I think it’s more if you’re using them frequently. They are Hospital grade wipes. I’ve never had an issue. I don’t allow my kids to handle them. I use them to wipe down the airplane, and hotel.

 

[goofy4prez]

My wife and I were on the Dream in December and not a sniffle between the two of us. We are poked twice and boosted once, but no mask at all during our time. I did wear latex gloves the one time I ate at Cabanas, but I have always worn a pair of latex gloves at any buffet years before this whole covid thing.

 

[sadiecatie]

My perspective right now is that any time I’m going out into crowded spaces, I’m risking catching something, and I’ve decided I’m OK with that risk. My family gets vaccinated for all recommended illnesses, we try to practice good hygiene behaviors (hand washing, sanitizer after touching public surfaces, covering coughs/sneezes) and otherwise we’re going to live our lives. We got COVID at Disney last summer but we don’t regret that trip. And somehow we’ve all stayed healthy since, even with a 7-year-old in school and me teaching at a university where my students regularly sit and cough in class (ugh). I’ve really had to work to release the illness anxiety - you do what you can, but otherwise have to be OK with the risks you take on through sharing public spaces.

 

[shh]

I’ve really had to work to release the illness anxiety - you do what you can, but otherwise have to be OK with the risks you take on through sharing public spaces.

Yeah - I struggle with that. A lot. Sadly I stay home a lot more these days - and feel like life is passing me by. But I just hate getting sick so much and all the preventive stuff that may or may not work seems like so much hassle - the masks, sanitizer, never-ending bathroom visits to wash hands again and again during outings or trips - and my personal paranoia watching so many people leaving restroom stalls without washing, sneezing or hacking without covering their nose/mouths, ignoring any sense of personal space...ugh. It all just seem a lot less appealing than Netflix and my comfy couch.

Not a good way to live - so I force myself to get out there before I become a weird hermit. But I admit I'm very uncomfortable with it.

 

[pixiedust2u]

Yeah - I struggle with that. A lot. Sadly I stay home a lot more these days - and feel like life is passing me by. But I just hate getting sick so much and all the preventive stuff that may or may not work seems like so much hassle - the masks, sanitizer, never-ending bathroom visits to wash hands again and again during outings or trips - and my personal paranoia watching so many people leaving restroom stalls without washing, sneezing or hacking without covering their nose/mouths, ignoring any sense of personal space...ugh. It all just seem a lot less appealing than Netflix and my comfy couch.

Not a good way to live - so I force myself to get out there before I become a weird hermit. But I admit I'm very uncomfortable with it.

You do you, and what you’re most comfortable and happy doing. If you prefer your home, and couch and Netflix then there’s nothing wrong with that.

But if your true desire is to be out more both in ways big and small, from lunch dates and shopping to travel and beyond…. And your anxiety is causing you to avoid, then consider seeing a therapist. The past couple years have been so hard and have triggered health anxiety for so many of us. It’s a great big world and a beautiful life, I’d hate for it to pass anyone by because of anxiety.