DCL Stomach Flu Outbreak

[MUN]

I ran across this site today. I like the blog it has some very good information. It never hurts to stay informed.


http://www.marlaw.com/Blog.aspx#~o3f8r2

 

[NS8VN]

That post is nearly 3 months old.

 

[bumbershoot]

Old post, not to mention there's no such thing as "stomach flu".

"Reports state that 131 passengers of varying ages and 14 crew members fell violently ill aboard Disney Wonder, which was on a tour between Miami and the Bahamas. There were more than 3,600 people aboard in total. "

Under 150 people is nothing compared to 3600.

And they go on to mention *bacteria*? What people erroneously call "stomach flu" is generally a noroVIRUS. Weird. OH, I see, they are hoping it was a bacteria *in the food* so they can sue DCL. When all it likely was was a normal amount of people in that population who were about to have belly issues, plus their family members who didn't wash their hands well enough.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

OH, I see, they are hoping it was a bacteria *in the food* so they can sue DCL.

I think this is another one of those "let's sue the pants off the whole cruise industry at the drop of a hat" places.

 

[NS8VN]

I think this is another one of those "let's sue the pants off the whole cruise industry at the drop of a hat" places.

Judging by the phrase "Miami Cruise Ship Injury Lawyers" at the very top of their website, I am inclined to agree. One of their blog posts is about Slip and Fall accidents on cruise ships stating, essentially, that no matter the circumstances the accident is likely due to cruise line negligence.

 

[monarchsfan16]

That cruise was in April. I know because I was on it. Disney handled it so spectacularly that my fiance is adamant we will never sail another cruise line. Stomach bugs happen everywhere.

 

[Michellenukes]

That cruise was in April. I know because I was on it. Disney handled it so spectacularly that my fiance is adamant we will never sail another cruise line. Stomach bugs happen everywhere.

If you don't mind me asking how did try handle it? I have a cruise booked for September 2017. I have never been on one before because I have heard how outbreaks happen on ships and throwing up is my biggest fear. So some insight on how they would handle it would be awesome

 

[monarchsfan16]

They attempt to keep if off the ship with medical forms. However, it was evident on that cruise that someone lied. The Mickey pool was closed for cleaning before the ship ever left Miami. A couple days later, I encountered a conversation in the hallway that made it clear someone tried to mask their symptoms and lied on the form and brought it on board. The bug hit primarily kids, presumably those who had been in the pool or club with the germ carrier.

Once it was evident that there were multiple people on board with it, they put all self service food on lockdown. You could not serve yourself at buffets (including Palo brunch), soda stations, or the ice cream station. The ship's crew worked max hours sanitizing EVERYTHING including wiping down the pages in the DVC sales book that was on display. CMs in stores began asking for room numbers instead of swiping room keys, to eliminate a point of possible germ transmission (keys remained in our hands), and just used our security picture for verification. There were wipes posted in EVERY common area (Shutters, store check outs, guest services), rather than just at the dining rooms. When we purchased drinks, we were handed just the receipt and a pen, rather than the receipt cover that normally gets passed among thousands. Every common item (ketchup, salt and pepper shakers, etc) was removed from MDR tables. Servers fist bumped instead of shaking hands. Hand sanitation upon leaving and returning to the ship in ports was enforced (more of a suggestion on day 1 than enforced). We knew which rooms were sick rooms because everything (room service trays, bedding, etc) was placed in bright yellow bags to alert employees to the biohazard. Stateroom hosts were gloved, aproned and masked when cleaning sick rooms. Those who were sick were quarantined. Public bathrooms were being cleaned frequently. If someone threw up in a common area, they were directed immediately to their stateroom and CMs got on the phone to report it immediately to the stateroom host. The area where the vomit had been was sanitized, complete with a black light inspection. On the day the ship returned to port, the rooms that had been sick were marked with checklists where employees had to note the time that the linens were changed, the room was sanitized, and when the room was fogged. We even got to see the hazmat spacemen that last day. They also delayed boarding the next cruise by a bit so that they could thoroughly sanitize.

 

[Michellenukes]

Wow. Thank you so much for that information. It honestly makes me feel SO much better about going on their cruise line

 

[kdogfister]

A word from the other side to those worried about illness.

On our Fantasy cruise earlier this month, my 3YO son came down with a stomach bug a day into the cruise. We called medical and were told to come down as soon as they opened that morning. My son was seen immediately and given pedialyte popsicles (he had no less than a dozen in a day), anti-naseau and anti-diarrhea meds for the symptoms. The Doctor explained clearly how contangious certain stomach bugs are in close quarters (specifically mentioned Noro could drydock the ship for cleaning) and why we would be required to stay in the room for 24 hours after the last "episode". They don't mess around with what you have, as testing would take too long to be useful given how fast this stuff spreads.

We received a "commemorative" letter from Commodore Tom detailing what DCL would do for us as a result of our quarantine (free laundry, non-alcoholic beverages via room service etc.) and spent a day in the room re-watching Disney classics. Best of all, the entire visit, meds and follow up were free of charge as, in the good doctor's words, "we can't put you in jail and charge you".

So, if you do get sick on board, go get seen right away. It's a pain you might be locked up, but it keeps the rest of us safe and won't cost you anything more than a day that you already aren't feeling well anyways. The alternative is the potential for disease to spread quickly and selfishly wreck a lot of other vacations.

 

[BigredNole]

Yes, it is an ambulance chasing law firm. Lawyers do serve a purpose when the need is not greed. We are living it now. If you think lawyers are bad, wait until you deal with insurance companies that YOU pay premiums to. They are you Good Neighbor as long as you are paying them. They are the worst thing in the world when you have a completely valid claim. When fault is 100% clear, they are on recording accepting 100% fault, and know they are liable for a claim, they have absolutely no incentive to pay. The reason? They know they have to pay, but the time they have to pay is open ended. They have the money and profits to deny, delay, and defend. They are perfectly willing to force you to file a lawsuit against them. 90+% of the population cannot wait out the complete delay for 3-5 years and they know it. Then they start to drag you through the mud in discovery between depositions, demanding accurate medical records for 25 years, motion against you because you can't remember every doctor you went to for the sniffles 10 years ago, let alone 25. Then, after they delay all the way up to the 20th continued trial date, they make an offer to settle on the court room steps for an amount 50-100% more than what they could have 2-3 months from the claim date.

Trust me, I thought lawyers were the worst. Insurance companies are the worst. Do a search for the Anderson Cooper segment on tactics from Big Insurance.

 

[ffw]

Given, I'd read this topic as I was alerted of this issue about a month ago and had me nervous, however-- I know that DCL is likely *the* cleanest company available in terms of them trying to avoid cross-contamination. Their quality of service and attention to detail in terms of sanitation is actually one of the biggest reasons I have gone solely with DCL for my cruises. Now knowing exactly what happens with so much more detail as to when there's an "outbreak" so to speak, it's a huge relief to see they treat you like you are a human being, that you receive proper medical care, and to see how hard they really do work to protect everyone else's welfare. A+, Disney!