Noro-virus on Disney Fantasy?

[Krissy22222]

We have had servers who would cut up the food for my elderly father in law, I thought this was very sweet.

 

[Crispen]

I have a lot to say about this matter
I am confident that dcl manipulates the reporting and here is why

On my first cruise i had what seemed like norovirus or food poisoning
I was violently ill for 10 hours over night
Had to wait for the doctor to become available until 8 am. Which seemed like forever
Finally she saw me gave me a shot which actually made me worse and refused to give me an iv and then shockingly sent me back to my room. They should have kept me for observation! Anyway I couldn't leave my room for the last few days and couldn't eat
The shot they gave me wiped out my gut and I could not eat anything!

I missed spending time with my family and parents which is the whole reason for the cruise. I never get to see my parents. It was a 7 day cruise and it knocked me out for four of them

Anyway after the cruise i call to complain and they say they cannot confirm anything nor give me any credit because they DID NOT TAKE A STOOL SAMPLE!

I was like do they do that as standard process and they said no because they have no ability to do the analysis

Therefore my case was not reported as a norovirus or food poisoning because they could not confirm it!

Very frustrating

If you get sick make sure you get an iv!!

 

[Crispen]

I always find these "did you get sick" posts amusing/strange, and kinda pointless.
Why does it matter to those that were on the cruise how many people got sick?
It's not like you can attribute blame to any one person or the cruise line, especially when you haven't reported the sickness to the medical personnel?
You can't sue the line because you agreed to the T's and C's before sailing, you have no proof of actual diagnosis of noro being contracted on the ship or even who brought it aboard or who contaminated spaces or surfaces.
What is the point of asking if others got sick?

We can give advice on how to cope right?

 

[MaleficentRN]

I have a lot to say about this matter
I am confident that dcl manipulates the reporting and here is why

On my first cruise i had what seemed like norovirus or food poisoning
I was violently ill for 10 hours over night
Had to wait for the doctor to become available until 8 am. Which seemed like forever
Finally she saw me gave me a shot which actually made me worse and refused to give me an iv and then shockingly sent me back to my room. They should have kept me for observation!
If you get sick make sure you get an iv!!

Why should they have kept you for observation and given you an IV? Were your electrolytes dangerously imbalanced? Was your blood pressure low? Did you loose consciousness? IV fluids would not have stopped you from vomiting or of made the virus go away. The shot they gave you was for nausea and it's too bad it didn't work for you.I'm not sure how it emptied out your gut.

 

[mutt58]

I always find these "did you get sick" posts amusing/strange, and kinda pointless.
Why does it matter to those that were on the cruise how many people got sick?
It's not like you can attribute blame to any one person or the cruise line, especially when you haven't reported the sickness to the medical personnel?
You can't sue the line because you agreed to the T's and C's before sailing, you have no proof of actual diagnosis of noro being contracted on the ship or even who brought it aboard or who contaminated spaces or surfaces.
What is the point of asking if others got sick?

Well, there were a few reasons for my post.

1. Mere curiosity
2. Informational - other posters confirmed this happened to them. Cruisers that will be on the ship after us will take extra precautions.
3. Obviously it was rampant on out cruise. Disney obviously does not want it reported and I don't blame them. People will not report it due to the nightmare stories posted on here.
4. No I wouldn't sue Disney. I understand the risks of going on cruises. This was my 9th cruise and there will be more. Unfortunately, my son was so sick he now doesn't want to cruise anymore. It's hard to tell a kid otherwise.

 

[mutt58]

What floor did they vomit on? Otherwise, how did you like the cruise?

MUN

Outside of Animators Palate, in an elevator, AND on Castaway. Fellow cruiser saw cast member vomit on the deck near the pool. Otherwise, the cruise was AMAZING!

 

[mutt58]

My husband sent me this thread and I feel like I should add to it. My entire family was sick too. In fact, I am sitting at home on my couch right now feeling like death. My mother in law almost had to be sent b helicopter to the nearest hospital. I talked to several other families that were sick as well.

Yeah it seems 1/2 the ship was infected. I hope you're feeling better!

 

[mutt58]

I see that you have just 5 posts.

Thank you! Glad to be aboard

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

There really is no manipulation of reporting. I am sorry as I do not remember the % point when all lines have to report a out break. However if the number of people goes above the % mark, they have to report it to the proper health unit. Below the % mark they do not.

I beleive the lines are pretty good about following rules as the fall out if it is discovered they did not , would be.costly in fines and good will with passingers.


AKK

 

[mutt58]

There really is no manipulation of reporting. I am sorry as I do not remember the % point when all lines have to report a out break. However if the number of people goes above the % mark, they have to report it to the proper health unit. Below the % mark they do not.

I beleive the lines are pretty good about following rules as the fall out if it is discovered they did not , would be.costly in fines and good will with passingers.


AKK

I am in agreement that there is no manipulation, however the guidelines should be changed. If ANY crewmember is made aware, it should be reported. You shouldn't have to go to medical. It's obvious many people won't go to medical for fear of extended quarantines. Furthermore, why would I give to medical and pay $220 for what I know to be a stomach bug? That makes no sense. Again, I don't believe Disney manipulates the reporting. I just believe the reporting methods need to be looked into for the whole industry.

 

[Expatriat]

I am sorry as I do not remember the % point when all lines have to report a out break. However if the number of people goes above the % mark, they have to report it to the proper health unit. Below the % mark they do not.

The percentage of infected passengers or crew (cases reported to the ship’s med staff) during the cruise must be reported to the CDC if it reaches 3% or more. This means small outbreaks on cruise ships will not be reported to CDC.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

The percentage of infected passengers or crew (cases reported to the ship’s med staff) during the cruise must be reported to the CDC if it reaches 3% or more. This means small outbreaks on cruise ships will not be reported to CDC.

That's sounds about right, thank you!

AKK

 

[JW9DVC]

Exactly! You do have paranoid people though and seem to enjoy being forced to stay in the room at times. My wife is in the medical field as well and I'm sure you know the stories. When I worked public relation for a hospital. Wow, for some of the "self diagnosis" or the web md so it has to be true scenarios.

JW

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Sorry if I missed this posted before but if anyone has taken the galley tours there is a sign that is posted about "outbreaks". They have different levels and what they do to prevent them and I'm not positive the "cutting up the food" is referenced but one I do remember is they will wipe down the menus after each service, wear gloves, provide separate pens to each guest who sign something, etc. The chart is color coded in green, yellow, and red. I'm pretty sure when we cruised in 4/2014 they were in the yellow zone and were already doing several of the things mentioned and yes, we did see a few people sick, but nothing major.

Sorry for those who were sick!

Heather

 

[C6PT7]

I am in agreement that there is no manipulation, however the guidelines should be changed. If ANY crewmember is made aware, it should be reported. You shouldn't have to go to medical. It's obvious many people won't go to medical for fear of extended quarantines. Furthermore, why would I give to medical and pay $220 for what I know to be a stomach bug? That makes no sense. Again, I don't believe Disney manipulates the reporting. I just believe the reporting methods need to be looked into for the whole industry.

Hmmmm.
Noro is not "just" a stomach bug. It is a serious virus and needs to be treated in most cases with scheduled fluid replenishment.
You do not know your son had noro or otherwise known as Norwalk virus because it was never tested for. From what I have read you have assumed it was noro without a proper diagnosis. And it could have been any number of stomach bugs instead. But you nor I or anyone else will never know. AND the true number of cases onboard your sailing will never be known because you chose to not go to the medical center, and report it so that they could better prepare for the next set of cruisers.
You choosing to refuse to send your son to be diagnosed HAS increased the risk of a virus being aboard the ship for everyone as no one knows the true number of stomach bug cases vs. the number of diagnosed more serious noro cases.

 

[Tina Herbert]

sorry, but . . .why?

We have had the server help cut up my Grandmother's meat while we (my husband and I) were working on getting the kids' meals ready. She has had several mini-strokes so cutting the food up is difficult for her.

 

[Jess_S]

Hmmmm.
Noro is not "just" a stomach bug. It is a serious virus and needs to be treated in most cases with scheduled fluid replenishment.
You do not know your son had noro or otherwise known as Norwalk virus because it was never tested for. From what I have read you have assumed it was noro without a proper diagnosis. And it could have been any number of stomach bugs instead. But you nor I or anyone else will never know. AND the true number of cases onboard your sailing will never be known because you chose to not go to the medical center, and report it so that they could better prepare for the next set of cruisers.
You choosing to refuse to send your son to be diagnosed HAS increased the risk of a virus being aboard the ship for everyone as no one knows the true number of stomach bug cases vs. the number of diagnosed more serious noro cases.

I'm not sure I agree with this. My family all got norovirus after our last vacation. (We survived Disney with no issues and then caught it from my college roommate, who we stopped to visit on the way home. ) According to my doctor, most "stomach flu" is actually caused by norovirus, so thinking of norovirus as "just a stomach bug" is accurate -- though no one who has a stomach bug thinks of it as "just" anything. It was miserable. The doctor also told us there's no reason to seek medical treatment unless dehydration becomes an issue. We all stayed home where we couldn't spread our germs, drank vast quantities of pedialyte and recovered fine.

If DCL wants people to go to the infirmary for norovirus, my view is that the treatment should be free because it's likely unnecessary.

 

[C6PT7]

If DCL wants people to go to the infirmary for norovirus, my view is that the treatment should be free because it's likely unnecessary.

Did you read this post?

We were on the Fantasy in Dec and my son (9) got it and then 2 days later I got it. My wife and other son never got it.
And I have been singing their praises to all when I got home.
Initially our son had diarrhea and we tried to buy Imodium from the gift shop. We were told we can't and had to see the Doc. He was the nicest. I was nervous about a huge bill, since they don't take medical insurance and the doctor explained since its a "stomach issue" there is no charge. He gave us meds and said he was quarantined for 24 hours. When we got back to our cabin I went with our oldest to dinner. My wife stayed behind. What happened next happened in the time span it takes to walk from the 8th deck to Animators Palette. We left and then my son got sick over everything. Guest Services knocked at the door checking on our son bringing Pedialite and Gatorade. When she saw my wife dealing with the sickness she got on a walkie talkie and got 2 room stewards in and they blitzed thru cleaning everything in the room. Also the GS rep then called the Dinning Room and told them a parent wasn't coming to dinner and to have dinner brought down for her. So when I got to the Dinning Room the steward said, "I am sorry about your son and dinner is on its way." Leaving me confused, how did he know that? At the same time the head steward came running over saying he was sorry about my son and that dinner was on its way. He explained all that happened and what they were doing. He explained the notification system (It started with the doctor's visit thru to the Guest Services visit). I was floored.

When I got back to the cabin, curtains, room dividers, bed spreads, everything was gone taken out to be cleaned. GS explained that if we needed laundry done they would pay for it.

Two days later I came down with it. I wasn't as extreme as my son (no extreme laundry/cleaning services needed). But I had it worse so the doctor gave me a shot along with the meds. Again no charge.

Now we had an excursion planned with Captain Marvin's in Grand Cayman (not thru Disney) so my youngest and wife couldn't make it. I explained to Capt Marvin's that only 2 of the 4 reserved were going to make it they said no problem. When I got sick it was a day at sea. So stuck in my cabin feeling crappy while sitting on my balcony is better than being sick at home!

Now in telling this story I know that Disney is only looking out for them selves by cleaning up and trying to keep us contained so the sickness doesn't spread. I understand. But if we had vacationed at the shore and gotten sick it would have put us out of commission for more than two days since we would have to clean up the mess, deal with broken schedules, doctors visits and pharmacy visits, etc.

So I feel if I had to get sick somewhere at least I was on a cruise being pampered. So to add insult to injury later in the week when we got to CC we only had 2 hours on CC before thunder and lighting cleared the beach and we were never able to go back. So we only had 2 hours on CC.

The cruise though wasn't the best was still better than other vacations we have had.

Sorry about the long post.

Joe

They DO want you to report it, and will/have waived the cost if they deem it to be a risk to the health of the ship

 

[Jess_S]

Did you read this post?


They DO want you to report it, and will/have waived the cost if they deem it to be a risk to the health of the ship

The short answer to your question is no. The long answer is that my point was really that I disagreed with the sentiment that medical treatment is required for norovirus and that DCL was somehow remiss in not giving someone IV fluids.

The question your post raises for me is whether you know up front if you will be charged -- or if you don't know until you've been examined and norovirus is confirmed.

 

[ilovetexas]

I have a lot to say about this matter
I am confident that dcl manipulates the reporting and here is why

On my first cruise i had what seemed like norovirus or food poisoning
I was violently ill for 10 hours over night
Had to wait for the doctor to become available until 8 am. Which seemed like forever
Finally she saw me gave me a shot which actually made me worse and refused to give me an iv and then shockingly sent me back to my room. They should have kept me for observation! Anyway I couldn't leave my room for the last few days and couldn't eat
The shot they gave me wiped out my gut and I could not eat anything!

I missed spending time with my family and parents which is the whole reason for the cruise. I never get to see my parents. It was a 7 day cruise and it knocked me out for four of them

Anyway after the cruise i call to complain and they say they cannot confirm anything nor give me any credit because they DID NOT TAKE A STOOL SAMPLE!

I was like do they do that as standard process and they said no because they have no ability to do the analysis

Therefore my case was not reported as a norovirus or food poisoning because they could not confirm it!

Very frustrating

If you get sick make sure you get an iv!!

I'm glad someone else said it so I didn't have to first. I'm rarely on DCL boards anymore but popped in to see what was going on and I really can't stand threads about how great it is that they have never been on the CDC sick vessel list. They do manipulate the numbers or else the Wonder in January of 2010 would have been on it. This issue has been visited multiple times here on the DIS over the years. A LOT of the 2nd deck of the ship was sick and we were abandoned by our room steward. We couldn't get fresh towels, ice, nothing. I finally went to guest services and threw a fit, then we got some attention. My daughter got sick first and we took her to the medical center, which there would be a record of and therefore a "reportable" number. When my son got sick, I called the medical center and was told NOT to bring him but to come get some medicine for him. They administered medicine to a 10 year old without seeing him, weighing him, checking his vitals, etc. They were either grossly incompetent or avoiding anymore official sick guests that would have to be reported. Or both.

There was a long thread about this a few years back but here was a post from LBGraves that indicates her friend's experience almost mirrors ours on that cruise: However, I completely sympathize with the poor way you were treated by DCL GS. We were on the Wonder in January 2010 with friends who all contracted Noro virus onboard. Their DD got sick after 10 pm that first night. The son got sick the following night. The mom and dad both got sick the morning we were at CC. This was a problem onboard because after we returned we saw posted here on the boards that the drink & food stations were staffed by CMs for several cruises prior to ours BUT the captain had relaxed the restrictions for our cruise. Their entire hallway deck 2 starboard aft was sick. It was horrible! They were in a cat 10 with four people and at one point three of them were ill. As soon as the stateroom host found out they were sick he stopped cleaning the room....for the ENTIRE 3 days!!! They contacted the medical center after hours but was told to treat for sea sickness. The center basically told them to stay in their room and not come see them. It was as if they didn't want to have another case documented. The mom got no help from GS on the phone so went down there, and proceeded to get sick while waiting in line. Again, she was just rushed off. They had to take turns going up to get drinks on deck 9 hoping that they could get there and back before being ill. Yes, they were aware that they were at risk of contaminating anything they touched but they needed to try to stay hydrated. Since the room host abandoned their hallway, they had to keep a lookout for host carts down the hall so they could grab clean towels so they could try to keep themselves somewhat cleaned up, along with the bathrooms. There were piles of dirty towels in the hallway outside most doors in their section.

Sorry, DCL does a lot of things VERY well and their ships are beautiful. But you will NEVER convince me they don't play with these numbers.