Magic 11/16/02 Illness - THIS IS WHERE YOU CAN POST ABOUT THIS INCIDENT

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I read this in one of the articles

- "Disney characters aboard the family cruise are taking steps to avoid as much contact as they usually would with passengers, he said. They are cleaning their hands -- and in some cases their costumes -- more often, according to Jaronski. "They're still hugging children," he said, adding, "The characters are using their own pens to sign autographs instead of the children's."

I never thought about it before, but the characters really are breeding grounds for germs. My dd loves to kiss everyone of them , but after reading that, I don't think that is going to happen any time soon.


Also, since DCL gave all their guests the option of cancelling and either going to WDW, rescheduling the cruise or going on their cruises, do you think the pax that, unfortunately do become ill (such as the 60 they say are now)will want some sort of compensation, or does the options DCL gave them cover what would happen to them?

 

[LianeMJ]

Originally posted by WebmasterMichelle
And there is no guarantee that when HAL's ship goes back into service on 12/1 that it won't happen again!!! That's just the nature of this virus.

Ohhh....I did not realize that HAL's ship had not set sail again yet. I was under the impression that they had docked it, it had sailed again, and that did the trick to get rid of the virus.

In that case, since it has NOT sailed yet, I guess we really don't know if that will work or not. I know it is a small percentage that are sick and I'll be armed on 12/14 with Lysol, Immodium and Hand Santizer but we'll take our chances!

Does anyone know, are the buffets still up or are the waiters serving everything now to avoid food contamination? I read on some online article (I think CNN or somewhere) that the CDC felt that the virus was mostly spread by touch but also was not ruling out food and water contamination.

 

[LisaFB]

Lovethatmouse, I would think that since DCL gave people those options if they decide to sail and get sick it's at their own risk and are not eligible for comp.

 

[Jammarx]

I agree to an extent about not docking the ship on this round-- BUT.. I think if this continues Disney has an obligatation to its workers on the ship and to the people who are going on future cruises.. to dock and let everything get back to a hopeful square one! This is not your normal flu.. this is a viral infection that, as a company, Disney has to deal with in every respect possible.. By continuing using the ship -- they can be deemed liable for the illness because they are well aware of it and have not done everything possible to take care of it.. When we go to the parks and on cruises -- yes there is the chance that you can get sick-- either a cold or seasickness.. as you have a chance to in everyday life-- but this type of illness is not your normal illness. Now all that being said-- my wife and I are scheduled to be on the Magic this Saturday.. and would be very upset if the cruise was canceled .. but you know what-- we would completely understand due to these unforseen circumstances.. Disney has a responsibility to provide the safest travel experience for its cutstomers and crew-- wether it be circumventing a hurricane.. or making sure everything is done to quell an infected ship!! Besides Im sure it is costing disney alot of money to give discounts and free cruises and the major cleanups that are being done at every turn on the magic as we speak-- they are flying a cleaning crew to the carib. now.. whew thanks !

 

[madcoco]

This is the latest from the local newschannel on the spacecoast.at least 76pax and crewmembers with the same Norwalk type virus symptoms.The CDC will be meeting and cleaning the ship in the Caymans.Still too early to tell yet but The Orange County and Brevard County medical examiners were interviewed, stating that this very common virus may not be originating on the ships at all.There have been sporadic reports of the virus reported in Central and South Florida outside the cruise industry.It is a short lived virus(if you have it, I bet it feels like the longest 48hrs of your life).

 

[AnnMorin]

(yes he is an attorney too) and in his opinion Disney would not be liable. They HAVE taken all reasonable measures to insure the safety of passangers. (in fact they just flew out to grand cayman the former head of the CDC and tow micro biologists -see cnn- to get a handle on this)
According to my husband, whom I consder an expert in litiagation and liability it is unreasonable to expect Disney to protect all future cruisers from any possible infection. This is not the blubonic plauge nor are they attempting to hide it under the rug.
At my son's school30 percent of the children have strep throat should they have shut down the school? Is it the schools fault that people are irresponisble and walk around contaminating others. Maybe the people who infected the others when they new they were ill should be sued- hey Disney could make them a third party. This is ridicuous! They are doing their best and I will most definately be sailing. This illness only lasts 12-60 hours anyhow so if I did get sick I would still have a great deal of good time left!

 

[garyss7]

HAL being sued over not taking ship offline sooner. Lets see what
happens now. Here's the link:
http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/021126/leisure_cruise_1.html

 

[AnnMorin]

"Anyone with the filing fee can file a lawsuit, "

he does more hearings each week that are purposely set up in hopes of a settlement, sometimes if he deams them malcious persequetion (or blackmail pay me or I'll sue cases) he even gives the defendant a judgement.

Just because an a hungry lawyer got a class action started does not mean it will hold any water.

 

[KenP]

RE: Disney Liability

Even if Disney is not liable, Disney has to pay the cost of defending lawsuits. So if Disney "wins", Disney still is out a bunch of money and bad publicity too.

I don't like the legal climate we live in.

 

[Jammarx]

Annmorin,

I'm not trying to start a flame war.. I was just stating my opinion. Like everyone else here. Ours does disagree.. and I am far from a legal anyone.. that is just how I feel.. sure they might end up in court-- BUT.. it would still be cheaper for them to settle-- which in turn costs more more in the long run.. or a long trial that they would win and still lose money defending.. I hope you enjoy your cruise as I hope to enjoy mine this coming week!

 

[LisaFB]

Annmorin, I completley agree with what you (and your DH) are saying! DCL has gone so far out of their way to do what they can! And if it is something thatis starting in FL in general then there's not much any cruise line can do! Even if they clean and clean, once you walk aboard carrying the virus, cough and touch something, someone else might touch it a minute after you do before the crew gets a chance to clean it.... Then it starts spreading all over again....

 

[Niagara2]

Local 6 (CBS) news in Orlando just had story on this and said that the sick count is now up to 89 people on the Magic.

 

[ppiew]

Anyone want to give up their cabin next week? I'll take it - and I won't sue!

 

[LisaFB]

Hee hee I'll take one too!!!!I've only been off the ship for 3 days but I miss it soo much!

 

[Debbie H]

The CDC came out again and stated that the best way to avoid spreading a virus.............WASH YOUR HANDS AND WASH FREQUENTLY WITH SOAP AND WATER!!!!!!!!!

Also as a side note, the CDC also stated 25 million people had the same reported symptoms in the United States last year. I WONDER IF THEY ALL SPENT TIME ON CRUISE SHIPS?????

This is a virus! Do exactly as I hope your Mothers taught you..WASH YOUR HANDS!!!!

WASH WITH SOAP AND WATER AND DO IT FREQUENTLY!!!!

 

[psimon]

Originally posted by Thumper1
People let's get real!

This was in the KWY-3 story "Jaronski said about 2,400 passengers and 950 crew members were aboard the current Magic cruise"

65 divided by 3,350 people is .02%. That's way less than 1%. There's illness everywhere.

65 out of 3350 is ~2%, not .02%!

Yes, that's small... BUT! Now we are up to 85 and I suspect it will climb a little higher.

They need to put the ship in dock and keep it there for the week while they do an even more exhaustive clean up. They are a small company and don't need to ruin their reputation because they "think" they have it under control. Better to be safe and "kill this off" than to risk more illness.

My hunch is that if the numbers get significantly bigger on this week's cruise, they will pull next weeks.

 

[snelsonbrown]

If Matt Ouimett was my hero before - he has now gone to the top step of idol - I had heard of Matt Ouimett for quite sometime yet and even had the opportunity to make him one of our baskets in fact two - BUT after I saw him on our Local TV news Saturday he became a hero in my eyes - I somehow felt this man was very sincere in his words that every means available would be taken to get to the root of any problems on the Magic - I left word today for Matt on his answering machine just how I felt - on't ask me why - i just knew I had to do it - this afternoon I was stunned when the phone rang at the shop and it was my hero - I have now push him up to idol - I wrote before that I felt this country needed a Matt Quimett in every high office - for I found him to not only be sincere, but very loyal and trustworthy -Mr. Walt Disney is not dead (and I adored him and still do)- his spirit, his kindness, his strenght plus everything lives in Matt - Do I trust and believe in Matt to do what he has set out to do --no doubts in my mind - I believe from my heart that he has every intention of making everything as near perfect as possible - This virus, unfortunalty takes time to eliminate - but know it will be done - as I have said more than once, I have had my disagreements with DCL, but when I believe that something or someone is right - I call it as I see it --we are not perfect unfortunalty - BUT DCL does care and will do it up right - honest.
Thanks for letting me talk and lets give DCL a chance to find out the problems.
ps ------nope these are my feeling and no strings attached.
Always
Shirley

 

[imgoingtodisney]

ummm guys that's what Ive been saying all along - if the sickness is on the 11/23 cruise what's to stop DCL from pulling the 11/30 cruise?

 

[wovenwonder]

(In regards to last weeks cruise and compensation)
In a cruise last week aboard the same ship, at least 200 passengers and crew took ill.

Disney offered those who were ill and their companions a free, three-day cruise in the future or 50 percent off a future seven-day cruise.

(In regards to the current cruise and the 11/30 cruise)
Jaronski said none of the ill passengers have left the ship for treatment.

He said no decision has been made on whether to take the ship out of service when it returns to Port Canaveral, Florida, on Saturday. "We'll assess that situation depending on how many more people might become sick," he said.

"The CDC told us more people might become ill, but the numbers currently seem to be within the curve they're watching," Jaronski added.

Entire Story Here

 

[Michelle]

Matt Ouimet is definitely ONE CLASS ACT and a fine gentleman; thanks for sharing your story Shirley. I feel very confident that he will make whatever decisions need to be made for the safety and enjoyment of all DCL guests.

For now we just wait and watch and hope that the extra cleaning efforts in Grand Cayman, a CDC expert and two WDW microbiologists can do what needs to be done to bring things back to normal.