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

[AnnMorin]

I called and talked with a Becky who's only duty is to deal with the virus info. Here is what she told me:
There are 3500 individuals on board the magic at this time.
Seventy five of them have flu like sypmptoms ranging in severity.
On Saturday the entire ship will be sanatized. This inlcudes the following:
Airconditioning ducts and vents
All carpeting
Blankets
Linens
all surfaces
She said the department of public health will be checking out the situation but she does not have any reason to believe the virus has anything to do with Holland America's problem. It is a small percentage of people and it is flu season.
She said the ship will be late going out Saturday but should be on time for our cruise (12/7) unless the outbreaks continue. If so they will have to re sanatize again. She does not forsee Disney cancelling ANY cruise.

 

[sjm]

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.

You are so right. The main reason I have not sailed to Alaska, is that there are frequent outbreaks of the norwalk virus on the Alaskan sailings. I have health problems and pick up any germ that is around. What might make you sick for a day or two, will make me sick much longer. I am sailing on the Magic, the end of Jan. and am waiting to see if Disney manages to get this under control.

sue

 

[KenP]

12:05pm Fri 11/22/02. We made it to castaway cay. Very bad weather. Adds insult to injury. Bikes cxld. Serenity Bay closed. Most veterans staying on board but a few newbies going out in yellow ponchos and are really being blown around.

Overheard special message to crew from captain. There is concern the virus could spread to the Wonder via castaway cay. Crew beach closed and all non-essential positions at Castaway Cay closed. Captain says special precautions have been in effect by crew since Monday 11/18/02. Captain asks crew for teamwork and that everyones priority now is sanitation and cleanliness.

There has been no further updates to passengers. I've asked at guest services too.

Glum moods around the ship. A few angry guests at guest services demanding Disney "do something."

Even though castaway club rental tickets are non-refundable, they are giving refunds no questions asked.

 

[AnnMorin]

On the castaway Cay rentals. I understand that folks may be bummed but it does sound like they are trying their best. I still plan on going!

 

[mcnuss]

1. DCL has told me that the ship is at CC right now, and that they are not coming back early.

2. My TA just sent me this article, hope it's helpful.

Cruising Health Risks Declining, Acc. to CDC

In recent months, media coverage of illness on board cruise
ships has created for some the impression that there has
been in increase in health risks for cruisers. Not so, says
an epidemiologist from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention in a story in today's USA Today
< http://www.usatoday.com/travel/vacations/destinations/2002/2002-11-22-sick-cruise.htm
>.
In fact, says Elaine Cramer of the CDC, "We've seen a
decline in the relative number of gastroenteritis outbreaks
since 1990." The fact that there are now more ships
carrying more passengers, combined with increased media
attention, has raised public awareness of illness on cruise
ships. The reality is that the likelihood of getting a
virus on a cruise has decreased.

Here are some ideas for talking to your clients about
cruise health:

-- When speaking to potential cruisers, be honest about the
health risks. Like any other activity, there are potential
hazards. Realistically, the hazards of cruising are in no
way extreme or out of proportion with the risks of everyday
activities like driving a car or riding a bike.

-- Show them the 11/22/02 USA Today story, "Despite
illness, ships don't harbor more germs."

-- Explain that the CDC carefully monitors illness on
cruise ships with a surveillance system implemented in 2000
that enables them to track any on-board illnesses closely.

-- Cruise lines work closely with the CDC to address any
health issues that come up. Most recently, Holland America
Line cancelled a sailing of the Amsterdam in order to
contain the virus and clean the ship.

-- The CDC has seen a decrease in per-passenger sickness
since 1990.

 

[mmouse37]

What would those angry people at Guest Service like Disney to do....manipulate the weather!!! Come on, things happen in life and Disney seems to be doing everything it can to protect and prevent futher contaimination. A sign of a good company is when they don't wait until things get so out of control. Disney seems to be doing what HAL didn't....preventing further outbreaks. If I was due to sail this week I would still go.

Can't people just accept that these things happen. I wonder how many will be asking for bigger and better compensation than what DCL will/did offer (I do not know what and if they did).

It reminds me of the story I heard yesterday about the lady who is suing McDonalds because her son is 15 and weights 400 lbs!!! She says McDonalds made him fat and it is not her fault. Yeah, your son eats 3 meals a day (every day) at McDonalds and you wonder why he got so large. Give me a break....

MJ

 

[SC Minnie]

mmouse37- I saw the boy's mother interviewed on GMA this morning and it was 5-6 MEALS A DAY at McD's not 3! She said she didn't really notice her son gaining weight!

Anyway, What do the guests on the ship now that are NOT sick want DCL to do? They are taking every precaution possible. They would probably be even more upset if DCL cut the cruise short and came back to port. Some people will take advantage of any situation.

 

[tecdavidt]

This is an interesting thread. We were in Ft. Lauderdale for the big boat show Oct. 31 - Nov 4. I awoke Nov. 1st with the Norwalk virus symptoms. I never get the intestinal tract "flu" but lucky me, I would guess it has been at least 15 yrs since I had a case of this nasty stuff. I was fine after 24 hours, and a lot lighter. It really takes it out of a person.

We were staying at Lago Mar Resort, we watched all the cruise ships leave Port Everglades!!! We saw the Holland America ship leave port. That is the same ship that had to end up cancelling this week's cruise because of the virus. This morning my husband called and told me he just heard on the news that one of the Disney ships has it!!! As he said, now it is hitting close to home. At least we don't cruise until spring break.

I say it is just what is going around and I do wash my hands a lot! That is probably why I never get sick but I read that this virus can live on anything and if a contagious person touched a door knob, remote for a TV etc. well, you are exposed. To all, wash the hands. Pixie dust to help stop this nasty stuff. Kathy

 

[Mmketeer]

Hi Ken,

Wow, this is horriable...I hope the cast, guest and ship gets better and fast! This is just another great reminder to always wash your hands after using the bathroom and as much as possiable anyway throughout the day. If everyone was to pratice good hygene it would sure help in situations like this.

Thanks for the update...

 

[disvaclub92]

Is this the cruise that "Imgoingtodisney" is on? I hope not - especially for her and DH.

 

[jlmcantwait]

No....not yet...........
Barb leaves on the Magic 11/30.....lets hope it clears up by then.........

It is MY cruise TOO!
Laurie

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Yup - Nov 30th is "our" cruise! Ahhhh DH agrees this sucks! Told him I was going to finish packing & getting ready this weekend - now Im not sure what the heck to do! If cruise is cancelled, we may end up trying to find a last min WDW resort (think that's possible) and visiting WDW! Think I can possibly do a WDW vaca w/no PSs, no planning?!

 

[SC Minnie]

Barb- relax and take everything in stride. It sounds doubtful that DCL will cancel 'your' cruise. Just be very careful and HAVE FUN no matter what happens!

 

[nedleycan]

They won't cancel the cruise. We will be partying in just over a week and the only throwing up we will be doing is if we have too much Rum Punch! haha

 

[imgoingtodisney]

hey that's funny Linda. I let out a loud laugh here at work so coworker had to find out what I was laughing at - thanks for lightening things up for me - hey guess what?
If Im not on a Disney Magic cruise, I'll be at Disney World!

 

[mmouse37]

I also just posted this on the other thread.....

It is amazing how the news gives out such misinformation. They just reported on our local Channel 2 CBS evening station here in New York that the Disney Magic had to cut its cruise short and return to Port early. They said it sailed on Sunday and is coming back to Port Canaveral (Sat) one day early. We know better, don't we!!!

They also said the HAL Amsterdam is in Port in Port Canaveral. They should at least get the info correct!!!

MJ

 

[KenP]

455pm Fri 11/22/02. Update. We were able to venture out to castaway cay late in the afternoon when the rain let up. But no sun and water cold. People are irritable. The captain is throwing another captains party this evening with free drinks to help "lift everyones spirits."

I think Disney is smart to offer full refunds to 11/23/02 cruisers. However I think they should be proactive and offer 50% off coupons to current 11/16/02 cruisers from a pure marketing/ PR standpoint. Don't get me wrong - I am not blaming Disney and bad things in life happen. However everyone on the ship has had a real damper on the last few days of their vacation. It is surreal to see staff members walking around castaway cay with masks on and yellow HAZMAT like gear spraying bleach on all the benches (really). I took some photos- will post in a week.

Just imagine if your family was sick and yakking and spewing diarrhea all over the stateroom! You might feel a little unhappy.

AND NOW EVERYONE IS FIGURING OUT THAT DISNEY KNEW ABOUT THE SITUATION ON MONDAY, BUT DIDN"T REPORT IT TO THE GUESTS TILL THURSDAY.

Again, I am not blaming DIsney not looking for a handout. But from a pure PR perspective, something should be done, IMHO.

 

[westjones]

CNN just announced they will be there when the Magic comes into port tomorrow. This is going to get a LOT more coverage than the HA situation.

DJ

 

[wovenwonder]

In April of 2001 the Magic had some technical difficulties while we were in port at St.Thomas. We all had to be on board by the regular time (4:30) but did not set sail until hours later. This caused us to miss castaway cay due to the timing -- it would take all the time we had to return to Port Canaveral. We were all offered 50% off our next cruise in any category at any time. This was 50% off the LOWEST price we could find on our own -- not off the rack rate. We rebooked one year later and travelled this April. I hope that Disney handles the situation to your satisfaction this go around also. Unfortunately for upcoming cruisers they may say SORRY but you were notified in advance and had the option to cancel. Hopefully the germs will all be taken care of by the next go-round.

 

[abitjaded]

Originally posted by mmouse37
I also just posted this on the other thread.....

It is amazing how the news gives out such misinformation. They just reported on our local Channel 2 CBS evening station here in New York that the Disney Magic had to cut its cruise short and return to Port early. They said it sailed on Sunday and is coming back to Port Canaveral (Sat) one day early. We know better, don't we!!!

They also said the HAL Amsterdam is in Port in Port Canaveral. They should at least get the info correct!!!

MJ

Thanks, I thought I was hearing things on NPR. It was such a short snippet of a story, which was not confirmable either on their website or on the Florida paper websites. I wonder if the news will issue corrections (ha!).