Food poisoning in Mexico

[chaseg03]

We went to Xcaret recently for our Cozumel port stop. They give you a voucher to get food at a restaurant. We all got fajitas but only my son got steak and the rest of us got chicken. My son had intermittent attacks of vomiting and diarrhea the rest of the trip. There was no other food that he had, that the rest of us didn't share. This did not act like any stomach virus we have ever seen. He had to go on an antibiotic to kill the bacteria in his intestines before he got better. I'm very nervous about eating in another country now. Is this rare or should you just avoid all food in the Caribbean ports?

It should be rare. I couldn't imagine being sick on my best week of my year. Feel really bad for him, especially if he loves cruises as much as I do.

 

[mom4fun]

How do you know it was the food in Mexico and not something he ate on the ship? You can get food poisoning anywhere. It doesn't necessarily have to be the last thing you've eaten either.

 

[mom4fun]

How do you know it was the food in Mexico and not something he ate on the ship? You can get food poisoning anywhere. It doesn't necessarily have to be the last thing you've eaten either.

I can't say 100% for sure but he had a muffin on the ship before we left the ship from room service. We had the food in question for lunch. We had dinner on the ship in the mdr and we all shared each other's food. The sickness started that night and continued off and on all week until we got off the ship and he started on an antibiotic and got better very quickly. The 3 others of us never got sick and the only different thing that was eaten was the steak in Mexico.

 

[timrousbeastie]

We went to Xcaret recently for our Cozumel port stop. They give you a voucher to get food at a restaurant. We all got fajitas but only my son got steak and the rest of us got chicken. My son had intermittent attacks of vomiting and diarrhea the rest of the trip. There was no other food that he had, that the rest of us didn't share. This did not act like any stomach virus we have ever seen. He had to go on an antibiotic to kill the bacteria in his intestines before he got better. I'm very nervous about eating in another country now. Is this rare or should you just avoid all food in the Caribbean ports?

Very sorry to hear that, I feel so bad for all of you.

We ate at what almost had to have been the same restaurant, by the beach, overlooking the water, 2 1/2 years ago. We also had the fajitas (at an extra charge) and I remember it as some of the best I've ever had (I like very spicy food). We didn't have any problems, aside from the ferry to the mainland, but that's an entirely different story. I bet this particular restaurant is extremely careful since it depends on the cruise lines, but anyone can have a bad day. We all did feel the effects of a post cruise dinner at Chichen Itza that year, but we should have known better in that case and were lucky it didn't affect our vacation.

 

[soniam]

In general, I wouldn't worry about most of the Caribbean. Parts of Mexico are a different story. Sorry to hear he was ill. I used to be the canary in the coal mine. I was always the one that got sick from the food. Luckily, that hasn't happened much in a long time.

 

[tinkerone]

Food poisoning can show signs anywhere from a few hours to a few days after consuming contaminated food. You may need to look back beyond his meal in Mexico, that could have just been a coincidence. Its pretty hard to pinpoint. All it would take is for him to eat the one shrimp from a platter of two hundred that was left out just a bit to long. No one else gets sick but he does. Or it could be his immune system wasn't able to handle it but the others were. Always be cautious but don't let this keep you from enjoying foods from other countries. It's a missed opportunity.

 

[mom4fun]

Very sorry to hear that, I feel so bad for all of you.

We ate at what almost had to have been the same restaurant, by the beach, overlooking the water, 2 1/2 years ago. We also had the fajitas (at an extra charge) and I remember it as some of the best I've ever had (I like very spicy food). We didn't have any problems, aside from the ferry to the mainland, but that's an entirely different story. I bet this particular restaurant is extremely careful since it depends on the cruise lines, but anyone can have a bad day. We all did feel the effects of a post cruise dinner at Chichen Itza that year, but we should have known better in that case and were lucky it didn't affect our vacation.

This was the 2nd time we ate there too and the food is delicious. From the many comments on here it does make me wonder if he just wasn't use to some common bacteria in some food or drink in general. That would make sense that the rest of us being older , may have been exposed in the past but his system couldn't handle it.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Sorry to hear about the food poisoning! Don't let it spoil you from food in other countries! Considering some of the food adventures I've had, I'm surprised I've never gotten it (knock on wood), though I did get a little ill in India.

I'm super careful about water and ice, etc. The only thing I don't really eat in most places is locally got fish (unless it's a pelagic). Even though it's rare, I'm scared of Ciguatera and just won't risk it.

 

[MsJiminyCricket]

We went to Xcaret recently for our Cozumel port stop. They give you a voucher to get food at a restaurant. We all got fajitas but only my son got steak and the rest of us got chicken. My son had intermittent attacks of vomiting and diarrhea the rest of the trip. There was no other food that he had, that the rest of us didn't share. This did not act like any stomach virus we have ever seen. He had to go on an antibiotic to kill the bacteria in his intestines before he got better. I'm very nervous about eating in another country now. Is this rare or should you just avoid all food in the Caribbean ports?

It happened to me several years ago in Cozumel. My whole family got cooked food, but I got the fresh salsa and that's the only thing I ate that day. Long story short - was treated with a 10-day course of dysentery meds. I was very hesitant to eat anything the next time we went to Mexico. However, we went to Margaritaville which is owned by Jimmy Buffet and checked - all foods are prepared with bottled water - whew!

 

[RedSox68]

I think it's rare. Heck, my husband got the worst bout of food poisoning I've ever seen at Universal. My DD and I got one meal and he got a different one and was sick for 24 hours -- almost had to go to the ER. So it doesn't have to be out of country.

On our excursion in Mexico we went to Colima and Columa and lunch was included -- they brought out plate after plate of food. Tour guide said, when you are done, tell them to stop. We didn't know what we were eating -- but it was amazing. We did get Hep shots before we went, however, just in case.

 

[FigmentSpark]

My DH was sick overnight on the cruise... before we even got to a port. He was up sick to his stomach one night and then slept part of the next day and was done. No fever or anything, but thank goodness I had packed Pepto-bismol. It had to have been something on the ship, but we don't know what and we're not stressing over it. It happens and really sucks, but what can you do?

I have to say, I brought those wipes that kill the noro virus on the plane and wiped down my seat and the kids', but when I asked to wipe his down, he laughed at me. I'm certain it wasn't noro, though, as it would have lasted more than a night and half a day. But it did cross my mind that he'd picked up a bug from the plane.

 

[CurtisB]

Personally speaking, we just do not care to eat foods from a another country when we cruise. We always return to the ship for lunch or take something packaged
from the ship until we return. Sure paid enough for it so we enjoy it!

I know everyone is different and makes their own choices but this makes me sad Part of the reason we love to travel and especially overseas is to try new foods. We love to find little hole in the wall places and try authentic regional foods. We eat plenty while on the ship. We get excited to try new things when off. We've never gotten sick from it either.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

Personally speaking, we just do not care to eat foods from a another country when we cruise. We always return to the ship for lunch or take something packaged
from the ship until we return. Sure paid enough for it so we enjoy it!

You have to be very careful about taking stuff off the ship. A bag of unopened chips is OK. Food from the buffet or something like that (fruit, whatever) can land you in hot water with the local authorities.

 

[Otimon]

You have to be very careful about taking stuff off the ship. A bag of unopened chips is OK. Food from the buffet or something like that (fruit, whatever) can land you in hot water with the local authorities.

Thank you for the warning BuzzLightyearinTampa. After 28 DCL cruises (29th coming up soon) we are well aware of the rules regarding fresh food. Would have done better to have said unopened packaged snacks. Appreciate your pointing out the difference, especially for first timers.

 

[RedSox68]

Thank you for the warning BuzzLightyearinTampa. After 28 DCL cruises (29th coming up soon) we are well aware of the rules regarding fresh food. Would have done better to have said unopened packaged snacks. Appreciate your pointing out the difference, especially for first timers.

Wow, impressive. I thought my 10 was a mildstone. DCL should certainly give you company stock when you hit 30 LOL.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

Thank you for the warning BuzzLightyearinTampa. After 28 DCL cruises (29th coming up soon) we are well aware of the rules regarding fresh food. Would have done better to have said unopened packaged snacks. Appreciate your pointing out the difference, especially for first timers.

I don't post here to give advice to people who have been on 28 DCL cruises, but instead for the benefit of first timers and others looking for genuine information. Your post, the way it was written, could easily have been misconstrued by people with no cruising experience.