Norivirus outbreak on Princess Cruise. What is Disney doing to avoid this?

[fairytalelover]

It sucks that there was an outbreak on this Princess Cruise but I was happy to know that it wasn't Disney. I've noticed a lot of this stuff happens on other cruises like Carnival and now Princess but have never heard of this on a Disney Cruise. Has this ever happened on Disney? What does DIsney do differently than the other liners?


http://www.cbsnews.com/news/princess-cruises-reports-new-norovirus-outbreak/

 

[Ravenne]

There's a 6 page discussion on this exact same question/topic just a few months ago: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3229562

Norovirus isn't exclusive to cruise ships. It happens in schools, and a variety of places. To put it into perspective, in this specific case, it is about 3% of the entire population on the cruise.

 

[lbgraves]

To put it simply, yes DCL ships have had Norovirus outbreaks. We were on a cruise on the tail end of a bout and our friends all got sick. Early on in DCL history a cruise was cancelled in order to sanitize the ship completely.

 

[DahliaRW]

Other cruise lines have more ships which means they have more chances of this happening and being publicized.

As for Disney, I felt they did their best to avoid illness. Hand wipes when entering any food venue, paper towels near the doors to the bathrooms with notes to use them to open the door to exit (to keep your hands clean). Hand washing signs in the bathrooms. Plus everything seemed very clean (yes, I saw maintenance actually sanitizing the hand rails - no idea how often that happens on most boats but the fact that I saw it happening was reassuring). But, regardless of what the ship does, it's my responsibility as a passenger to do my best to keep myself healthy too (wash my hands, don't touch my face, etc).

 

[dunnhorn]

We just got off the Magic last week, and I'm convinced our son had Noro.

I think he contracted it either at cabanas, or at castaway cay. He just suddenly got VERY sick and was down for the count. He was kicked out of the kids clubs for 24 hours - but seriously, in that time period he made just about a 100% recovery and was watching the Captain America premiere at 12:01 a.m.

Two days later, once we debarked and hit Disney, my husband got it.

Three days later, I got it.

One thing for sure - the cruise employees were WELL TRAINED. He had an "accident" on the floor and in the bathtub, and they came in with the gloves and the squirt disinfectant stuff and had things sparkling clean in no time. Our room server gave me great advice - order powerade from room service. Our server made him plain roasted chicken and rice. It's like everyone knew what was up, everyone joined together to help us out with great attitudes. We were sidelined for a day, but bounced back and ended the cruise on a high note.

As an aside, he is 12 - so I would say, carry your Purell, seek out the cleanser wipes and just stay vigilant.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

They are likely doing the exact same things Princess was. But all the preventative measures in the world cannot completely eliminate the chance of an outbreak.

 

[csidisney]

We had it on the Wonder on March 21. My son got it first, then followed by my dd and then husband. Our host said the cabin next to us also had it and later on we heard of others having it too. I cannot find it reported on CDC anywhere.

My son was quarantined for 24 hours. Disney started off handling it ok but then it all went downhill. I won't go into it but it was horrible and to the point that we probably won't cruise DCL again. And this is coming from someone who has taken 6 Disney cruises, is a DVC member and annual pass holder. I felt that Disney did not want to document my dd and dh, nor did they want to call it "norovirus". I am sure they don't want the word to get out and spread panic! We were on a back to back and by the time the second leg came around the kids were better but dh was still feeling awful. We were honest on the health form and Disney didn't seem that concerned. We had to talk to someone on the phone and they then let us board no problem. We were shocked. Dh stayed in the room while sick but was never ordered to do that.

I don't wish norovirus on anyone!! It was awful. The kids never regained an appetite the entire cruise. We missed a lot of main dining room dinners, a few ports and a lot of activities

 

[disney1990]

We just got off the Magic last week, and I'm convinced our son had Noro.

I think he contracted it either at cabanas, or at castaway cay. He just suddenly got VERY sick and was down for the count. He was kicked out of the kids clubs for 24 hours - but seriously, in that time period he made just about a 100% recovery and was watching the Captain America premiere at 12:01 a.m.

Two days later, once we debarked and hit Disney, my husband got it.

Three days later, I got it.

One thing for sure - the cruise employees were WELL TRAINED. He had an "accident" on the floor and in the bathtub, and they came in with the gloves and the squirt disinfectant stuff and had things sparkling clean in no time. Our room server gave me great advice - order powerade from room service. Our server made him plain roasted chicken and rice. It's like everyone knew what was up, everyone joined together to help us out with great attitudes. We were sidelined for a day, but bounced back and ended the cruise on a high note.

As an aside, he is 12 - so I would say, carry your Purell, seek out the cleanser wipes and just stay vigilant.

We have been very pleased with how well Disney tries to stay on top of this.

 

[hgon76]

My dd had Noro on our cruise. Luckily not til last night. But it does happen. I think they do a better job at it not getting out. And like a PP said, less ships-less publicity. We also experienced DCL not wanting to know any part of it or acknowledge any of it. I tried to report it but they couldn't get me off the phone quick enough.

 

[Minniemiss]

We had it on the Wonder on March 21. My son got it first, then followed by my dd and then husband. Our host said the cabin next to us also had it and later on we heard of others having it too. I cannot find it reported on CDC anywhere.

My son was quarantined for 24 hours. Disney started off handling it ok but then it all went downhill. I won't go into it but it was horrible and to the point that we probably won't cruise DCL again. And this is coming from someone who has taken 6 Disney cruises, is a DVC member and annual pass holder. I felt that Disney did not want to document my dd and dh, nor did they want to call it "norovirus". I am sure they don't want the word to get out and spread panic! We were on a back to back and by the time the second leg came around the kids were better but dh was still feeling awful. We were honest on the health form and Disney didn't seem that concerned. We had to talk to someone on the phone and they then let us board no problem. We were shocked. Dh stayed in the room while sick but was never ordered to do that.

I don't wish norovirus on anyone!! It was awful. The kids never regained an appetite the entire cruise. We missed a lot of main dining room dinners, a few ports and a lot of activities

Cruise ships have to report all outbreaks. Outbreaks that affect more than 2% of the total crew and passengers are on the CDC site. If the Dream were full that would be at 5458. 2% would be 109 cases.

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/gilist.htm#2014

 

[jrabbit]

I believe that there are certain "Thresholds" that have to be hit in order for an "outbreak" to be reported to the CDC. Probably at least 1% of the ships population ... so on the Classic Ships it would take at least 35 confirmed cases (if 1%) and on the Dream Class ships 1% would be 55 cases (crew and guests).

Well - I guess that I'm not right - Cruise Critic says the Cruise Ships are required to report EVERY case of Norvirus - but the news outlets won't pick up the story unless its "sensational" - hundreds of cases vs. a handful.

 

[Minniemiss]

I believe that there are certain "Thresholds" that have to be hit in order for an "outbreak" to be reported to the CDC. Probably at least 1% of the ships population ... so on the Classic Ships it would take at least 35 confirmed cases (if 1%) and on the Dream Class ships 1% would be 55 cases (crew and guests).

Well - I guess that I'm not right - Cruise Critic says the Cruise Ships are required to report EVERY case of Norvirus - but the news outlets won't pick up the story unless its "sensational" - hundreds of cases vs. a handful.

They do have to report all of them, but only the cases that exceed the 2% are documented on the CDC site.

 

[lbgraves]

....My son was quarantined for 24 hours. Disney started off handling it ok but then it all went downhill. I won't go into it but it was horrible and to the point that we probably won't cruise DCL again. ...

My dd had Noro on our cruise. Luckily not til last night. But it does happen. I think they do a better job at it not getting out. And like a PP said, less ships-less publicity. We also experienced DCL not wanting to know any part of it or acknowledge any of it. I tried to report it but they couldn't get me off the phone quick enough.

This was our friends' experience with DCL as well on our 3-night. They wouldn't let them go to the health center after hours. Their entire deck 2 aft hall had the virus that cruise, as evidenced by the piles of soiled linens outside the staterooms. This was due to the fact that the stateroom host refused to enter the rooms. They had to take turns going down the hallway to swipe clean towels and trash bags off a cart when the hosts were out, as well as trips to get water so they could stay hydrated. They cancelled all cruises when they returned home, also DVC members and had done multiple DCL cruises.

 

[csidisney]

When we went to the ship dr with my son, who had not stopped vomiting or diarrhea for over 12 hours, they labeled it "gastrointestinal". We said oh so it's noro virus (being in the medic field, it was quite obvious to us what it was). The dr said what my son had turns ships arounds when it spreads, and so he needed to be quarantined. They didn't come out and put the norovirus label though so I wonder how it's reported to CDC. We weren't charged for our visit or meds, and the ship dr was good. I just found it odd that they don't label it noro.
Fast forward to when my daughter and husband came down with it...they couldn't get us off the phone fast enough (like another poster mentioned) and didn't really feel it was needed to come down to the dr (where they are required to fill out the reportable paperwork). So it does make me question things. It took much longer than 24 days for each family member to recover.

On a side note, I feel if people are honest when they board about being sick, that Disney should, as a good will gesture to the rest of the healthy guests and a good gesture to the honest sick people, try and work with the family to reschedule their cruise. I'm not saying refund bc I know people will say that there will be those that would abuse this....but a simple reschedule. That would set Disney apart from the rest.

 

[csidisney]

Lbgraves - I tried to PM you but it didn't work. I am curious which sailing your friend was on? I feel terrible that we aren't the only family with a similar experience!

 

[lbgraves]

In our case the virus was already on the ship. We saw posts here after getting home that there had been several cruises where self-serve was restricted and CMs managed the buffet & drink stations. We were the first cruise in a couple weeks to have that lifted because they felt the virus was gone, IOW the number of reported cases was below the threshold that DCL uses to restrict self-serve availability. None of our friends were ill before boarding and their DD was sick after the late show. It hit quickly and spread the next day.

 

[lbgraves]

Lbgraves - I tried to PM you but it didn't work. I am curious which sailing your friend was on? I feel terrible that we aren't the only family with a similar experience!

It was the 1/14/10 Wonder 3-night.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

It's not so much what Disney does to prevent it, and I believe they try their best. It really comes down to the passengers. Don't lie about any symptoms they ask you about on the medical form before you check in at port. Wash your hands often. Don't sneeze in your hand and then touch a handle at the buffet, etc.

 

[tinkmom2]

I agree with the PP. Don't let your kids serve themselves at the buffet either. Those sneeze guards are there for adults, not children. And children do some pretty gross stuff with their hands. My DD is on the couch sick with the stomach flu now she picked up at school.

On our first DCL cruise my hubby became ill with vomiting and diarrhea on our last night. (night before debark) It was 2AM and I called the front desk. They said they would let us talk to the ships doctor but there really wasn't anything they could do. We had also packed all of hubbys extra underwear and clothes the night before and they were gone.

We also had to spend the night in the airport due to mechanical issues. When we got home, my two kids also became ill. I wrote a email to DCL and they gave me a blanket response back saying it was probably the flu saying the Noro virus takes a few days to initiate. We were on a three day cruise I explained to them. Anyway, they didn't want to say it was the Norovirus but I feel that's what it was since the rest of my family became ill. Time away from sea costs the cruise companies money. They need to do basic cleaning and load up again. I am surprised we don't hear of more widespread outbreaks. How many of these quarantined cases are reported as Noro?

We did see people serving food which is one protocol the ship uses when there are cases. I liked they handed out wipes everywhere we went.

Nothing like that has ever happened again thankfully and we have since discovered my DH is a type one diabetic explaining part of my DH's issue. That still doesn't explain my two kids getting ill. I am not a germaphobe but I pack Lysol wipes with us and wipe down common areas of our stateroom. Working in the medical field now, I am more conscious of touching my face with "dirty" hands. (We just learned in my Micro class hand washing doesn't eliminate all of the germs, but it still is the best precaution you can take) There is so much we all do and don't even think about. Fingers crossed that we don't have any incidences again.

 

[Kenny1113]

We had it on the Wonder on March 21. My son got it first, then followed by my dd and then husband. Our host said the cabin next to us also had it and later on we heard of others having it too. I cannot find it reported on CDC anywhere.

We were on this same sailing. dS13 got sick as well. We weren't sure if it was something he re or the virus. From the symptoms described, sounds just like my son's. The infirmary did not seem too concerned that he had vomiting and diarrhea and wanted to charge me $140 to be seen and let me leave when I didn't want to pay $140. At that point he was keeping fluids down.