Noro-virus on Disney Fantasy?

[dreadpiraterose]

Wow this is crazy. We were on the Feb 20th Fantasy cruise - we didn't see any vomiting or people with those symptoms. Although there were 2 unrelated medical incidents: In the middle of the night/early morning someone had to be let off on an island in the Bahamas (the boat had stopped but we honestly wouldn't have noticed if they didn't make an announcement), and on another day someone had to be medivac-ed on a helicopter which landed on the ship to pick up the passenger and then left. Not sure what the issues were with the passengers (or crew) but hope they are ok.

How in the world did I miss a helicopter landing on the ship??

 

[MUN]

This is one reason why I really dislike the cute but not necessary servers cutting up your children's food. The kids handle the silverware and then the server does, and then he's doing at the next table, and the next table, etc...

It seems sweet that they are helping parents, but really it is increasing the risk of spreading all viruses. I wish DCL would tell the servers to stop this service.

It's not just children that they will cut up the meat. I sometimes have the assistant server cut up my food.

 

[hubbard53]

It's not just children that they will cut up the meat. I sometimes have the assistant server cut up my food.

sorry, but . . .why?

 

[SpaceSquirrel]

sorry, but . . .why?

^ This?

 

[chunkymonkey]

How in the world did I miss a helicopter landing on the ship??

It was on the day after SWDAS, so Day 6 of the cruise. I think it was late afternoon. They did make the announcement that a medi vac helicopter would be landing on the Forward side of the ship and to please clear the area, but if you were indoors and not a public space or at the spa I don't think you would have heard it. I have video that I'll post at some point on my future TR of the helicopter landing on the ship. It was pretty neat. Lots of people were hanging outside on their verandahs (we were starboard) could see the helicopter land and depart.

 

[MUN]

I got Noro last month because my baby with Noro projectile vomited in my mouth. Good times indeed.

Did you swallow the vomit? Did this happen on a cruise?

 

[Nicolemandi]

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.

We just got off the Disney Fantasy this morning. Two of my family members fell very ill with stomach pains, vomiting, and diarrhea. I also personally saw three other people vomit in the halls. On the bus this morning, the people sitting in front of us told us their whole family were vomiting. Another person overheard our conversation and said they saw a crew member vomiting on the upper deck. Has Disney released any info on this?

 

[dreadpiraterose]

It was on the day after SWDAS, so Day 6 of the cruise. I think it was late afternoon. They did make the announcement that a medi vac helicopter would be landing on the Forward side of the ship and to please clear the area, but if you were indoors and not a public space or at the spa I don't think you would have heard it. I have video that I'll post at some point on my future TR of the helicopter landing on the ship. It was pretty neat. Lots of people were hanging outside on their verandahs (we were starboard) could see the helicopter land and depart.

Man..where was I... I can't remember. Crazy. I also didn't realize we had docked somewhere during the night either. I don't feel especially observant.

 

[machwon]

Sorry- came across this while reading about the Carnival outbreak.

Just wanted to report our family (my wife and I, 2 year old daughter and 74 year old mother) were on the recent Fantasy Cruise trip. We also endured a very sick, and physically unpleasant trip although we don't attribute that to Disney or their attempts at sanitation. My mother was the first to get sick on the second sea day, had multiple incidents of bottom end issues (one in public...in a hallway to our room), then two days later started vomiting and eventually ended up vomiting a substantial amount of blood which is regularly not a huge cause for concern. However, given her age, and the fact that she is on multiple blood thinners for previous heart attacks and strokes- meant we were suddenly in a medical emergency. The medical facility on board (particularly Dr. Susan) was fantastic and took good care of her over night. They were going to helicopter her out to Ft. Lauderdale due to low hemoglobin counts (11) however she stabilized and we were able to disembark and head straight to the Port Canaveral Hospital. My wife and I also became ill- but to a slightly lesser degree. During her night in the facility, my mother witnessed at least 5 crew come in sick, as well as over 15 passengers (in 1 night)- there was certainly an outbreak of some extent on board. We also witnessed one person lose it on deck 11 / up top- likely due to the bug as well. In any case if you pile into a boat with 4k people (at least 1k kids probably), in the winter, for a week...it's a risk you run. Disney tried their best at sanitation and I applaud them for that and their excellent medical care- I do hope they are being honest with the CDC / authorities about the true extent of the viral infection however.

 

[hubbard53]

I aLways wonder why these outbreaks don't occur in large resorts like sandals, beaches, etc. maybe they do, just don't get the attention...

 

[jacknsally19]

I was on the most recent Fantasy cruise and saw a few people get sick too. Luckily my family was ok - which is a near miracle cuz I seem to get sick if I am within a few miles of a bug.

I feel for those impacted but it does seem like DCL is pretty aggressive in trying to prevent problems.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I aLways wonder why these outbreaks don't occur in large resorts like sandals, beaches, etc. maybe they do, just don't get the attention...

Noro virus can hit anywhere. Generally, cruise ships get the most press about it, however. But there have been reports of it in National park hotels and other places. And my mother in law's senior center has been hit a couple of times in the last few years. They have to close the buffet (servers have to serve up everything), even requiring everyone to dine in their rooms, and not come to the dining room.

I was watching one of those National Geographic reality shows (the park rangers/police ones) and they were searching for a lost and sick hiker. When they finally found him and got him to the hospital, they determined he had norovirus. Out in the wilderness, all by himself.

 

[book_junkie]

Nothing officially reported on the CDC website, latest is still Carnival Sunshine and Anthem of the Sea, both of which left on 2/21 and docked 3/5.

 

[tnshsms]

Some people, me included, are immune to noro-virus. My father, brother, and one of my children are too. We found out through DNA mapping.

I didn't even know that was possible!!!

 

[tnshsms]

This is one reason why I really dislike the cute but not necessary servers cutting up your children's food. The kids handle the silverware and then the server does, and then he's doing at the next table, and the next table, etc...

It seems sweet that they are helping parents, but really it is increasing the risk of spreading all viruses. I wish DCL would tell the servers to stop this service.

Oh I never thought of that....now that's going to bug me!

 

[SpaceSquirrel]

I didn't even know that was possible!!!

Yeah totally possible! My favorite service is 23 and me. The stopped giving most health reports (I'm not sure if they offer noro or not now) but if you run your raw data through Prometheus you can get all of your health reports.

 

[asunutgirl]

I'm curious about how long these outbreaks tend to last on a ship. If cast members are sick, it isn't going to end with passenger turnover. Anyone have an idea what Disney does to prevent the ship from becoming a floating petri dish of Noro? We are on the Fantasy in 3 weeks.

 

[truck1]

I aLways wonder why these outbreaks don't occur in large resorts like sandals, beaches, etc. maybe they do, just don't get the attention...

There an assisted living facility in central florida that has a noro outbreak. They've quarunteened half the bldg.

 

[kaykels]

Just getting over it! I was up all night throwing up. I'm just about at the 24 hour mark and sitting up and had some toast. Really really rough one!!!! Just got off of Independence of the Seas.

 

[michellekcm]

It's not just children that they will cut up the meat. I sometimes have the assistant server cut up my food.

sorry, but . . .why?

^ This?

Not the original poster, but I have had the assistant server cut my meat for me before. I didn't ask for it, she just did it. I was holding my young son who was having one of 'those' nights (long excursion, didn't nap, etc.) He wasn't loud or anything, just didn't want to do anything but be held. I was waiting for my husband to finish eating so I could pass our son to him and then I could eat. The assistant server cut my steak for me so I could eat one-handed while it was still warm. It was actually really, really nice to be considered like that.