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

[KenP]

945pm Eastern time 11/21/02. No further official updates. Attendance at Dreams seemed to be strong. For those on the Thanksgiving cruise, I wouldn't worry too much. Just use common sense and wash your hands.

I hated to report bad news like this, but I felt it important to keep everyone informed.

I hoping the fine wine at Palo's tonight plus the rays at Castaway Cay tomorrow will sanitize me just fine

 

[JODIELYN]

Mollys...

Sounds like the protocol we use when traveling in Mexico...

common sense stuff.. but stuff we don't think of every day... easy to forget...

I hope disney is giving advice on the ship like the advice you just gave.

Thank you!

Praying for an All Clear real soon!

Jodie

 

[sjm]

KenP,

I hope that you and your fellow travelers stay healthy and can enjoy the rest of your cruise.

What you describe sounds like the Norwalk Virus, that is currently causing problems on the HAL Amsterdam. This virus has also been on other HAL ships and some NCL and Princess ships. This virus is a frequent visitor to ships that are sailing in Alaska, this year for some reason it is now in the carribean.

If any of you want to read about outbreaks on other ships, go to www.cruisecritic.com, click on boards and then do a search for "norwalk virus".

KenP, please let us know how things are doing with you and what Disney is doing about the virus. Remember do not shake hands with anyone.

Sue

 

[dis4me]

Sue
Your link is not working You need to delete the comma or put a space before it.
That is very scary with all these viruses going on. I know they are not dangerous but still. We just returned from the 11/9 Magic and heard about HAL . We were commenting on whether or not they were at any of the same ports. Does Disney dock at the ports on the same days. I guess it could have come from any where. Just strange that it is all the ships. I wonder if one of the ports is the carrier.
To all of you on vacation and to the ones about to go.Stay well.and as other posters have said wash well and often.

 

[tiptoen]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-2190472,00.html

 

[disneyholic family]

i do the towel in the bathroom thing too...
and never ever eat from a buffet.....
years ago when my son was in nursery school there was an outbreak of hepatitis (i can't remember which one....the one that's also spread by the fecal/oral route).......thankfully my son didn't get sick but ever since we've been very very very aware of other peple's habits in that area (hand washing that is)...

 

[MemereMouse]

Does anyone know if the flu shots we received protect against this virus?

 

[my3kids]

memeremouse: No, definately not. The outbreak on the ship is a stomach illness. The flu shot is for influenza, a respriatory illness that leaves you feeling like you've been hit by a truck....fever, chest complications, totally wiped out. People call stomach viruses the flu, but they aren't the flu at all.

 

[FOJMO]

From Port Canaveral as posted in the St. Pete Times -- some excerpts --

Disney officials ordered the ship cleaned and disinfected at sea. Disney's private island, terminal at Port Canaveral, and buses that shuttle passengers from Orlando to the port will also be disinfected.

There are no plans to cancel any scheduled Magic cruises.

Sick passengers aboard the Disney ship will be offered compensation. Those scheduled to depart on the Magic Saturday will be offered a full refund or alternate vacation should they choose to amend their plans.

"The plans right now are to sail again on Saturday, but in the end, we're going to do what's right for our guests."

Passengers and crew members came up with creative ways to stave off further spread of the virus. One man said he used his knuckles instead of fingers to push elevator buttons. Another carried antibacterial solution in case someone touched him.

The crew closed the whirlpool on the deck. Instead of buffet service in the cafeteria, workers served passengers individually to cut down on the handling of food. The staff dispensed with part of the meet-and-greet with the ship's captain and crew that is a long-standing tradition on cruises.

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by FOJMO
Passengers and crew members came up with creative ways to stave off further spread of the virus. One man said he used his knuckles instead of fingers to push elevator buttons. Another carried antibacterial solution in case someone touched him.

I posted this on the other thread also, but it's amazing how prevalent this misinformation is. If the problem is virual than antibacterial anything won't do anything to stop it. Handwashing, with regular soap, will do the trick because of the way soap works. If you're curious about how it works, check out this url:

How soap works

Lisa

 

[disneyholic family]

another thing they should do is have all food handlers, including waiters, wear disposable gloves...
extreme perhaps, but necesary in the case of fecal/oral transmitted diseases...

 

[KenP]

9:41 AM FRI 11/22/02. STill no official updates from Captain. Trying to dock at Castaway right now but 35 Knt winds and 4-8 foot waves and rain are delaying us, along with leaving St. Thomas late due to guests being late back to the ship.

Thanks for all the thoughts/prayers.

 

[mmouse37]

Hop you make it to CC and the weather clears up for those of you onboard!!!

Thanks for keeping us updated on what's happening....

MJ

 

[abitjaded]

NPR just broadcast a short story saying the Magic was returning to port today (Friday). Anyone have more info?

 

[garyss7]

Hey Ken-we had late passengers arrive back to the ship from St Thomas
on the Nov 2nd cruise. Left 30 minutes late. Captain said they were lucky
he was in a good mood. I vote to leave em' from now on.. Gary

 

[jlmcantwait]

DCL has a special line set up to talk to a Rep. (you need to be transfered from main line) They told me the ship is returning to port tomorrow and will leave a bit late Sat. We are on the 11/30 sailing, it is still on. Lets hope the % of passengers affected goes down on this next sailing, I hate to even think of the possibility of our trip being canceled.
I have my fingers and toes crossed....called all of my religious friends and asked them to put a good word in for all of us! LOL Laurie

 

[sjm]

Originally posted by sjm
KenP,

I hope that you and your fellow travelers stay healthy and can enjoy the rest of your cruise.

What you describe sounds like the Norwalk Virus, that is currently causing problems on the HAL Amsterdam. This virus has also been on other HAL ships and some NCL and Princess ships. This virus is a frequent visitor to ships that are sailing in Alaska, this year for some reason it is now in the carribean.

If any of you want to read about outbreaks on other ships, go to www.cruisecritic.com, click on boards and then do a search for "norwalk virus".

KenP, please let us know how things are doing with you and what Disney is doing about the virus. Remember do not shake hands with anyone.

Sue

dis4me,
thanks for the correction, it should be
www.cruisecritic.com

Guess it was late and I was upset.

Sue

 

[dropzone9]

Jodielyn,

I do the same thing!! People laugh at me too! But the most germs are actually found on the bathroom faucet and doorknobs! I hope this virus doesn't spread to the Wonder, I'll be on it Dec. 1!

 

[erikthewise]

I was a victim in a large outbreak of Norwalk virus a number of years ago. It was also a foodhandler problem. This virus can affect different people with different levels of severity. For some it may seem like a minor 24-hour intestinal virus perhaps with a headache (I was lucky to have that effect). Other may be hit much harder.

It will be very interesting to see how DCL handles victim compensation as compared to Holland. There is an interview on CNN.com that suggests the Holland passengers are getting next to nothing.

 

[MollysNeeNee]

Lisa,
what an excellent site, I've never seen it before!! Lots of good info! thanks...
As far as the Flu vaccine goes, no..it won't protect you from Norwalk..but Flu is another virus that hits cruise lines frequently..so If you plan a cruise..a Flu shot is a good investment!(Tropical areas have Flu season all year long). If you get your Flu shot in the Fall (typical time for USA), and you are going on a cruise to Alaska summer or prior to time next Flu shot distributed....your immunity from the last years Flu shot could have waned....so..If you are High Risk for complications (elderly,heart or lung conditions) ask your MD about taking along an anti-viral medication in case Flu strikes your ship.
If you are going to the Caribbean ...ask your MD about getting a Hepatitis A shot (must get it at least 4 weeks prior to travel)
you know what they say about an ounce of prevention......!!!