Norwalk season has arrived!

[KathyTX]

The Norwalk season appears to have started. 120 people were reportedly sick on the just completed Carnival Holiday cruise out of New Orleans.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/10/16/sick.cruise.ap/index.html

If last year is any indication, we'll start seeing reports of this that increase in frequency over the next few weeks. Since last year's "break-the-cycle" ship cleanings appeared to be effective, it will be interesting to see if the cruise lines are proactive about taking ships out of service to repeat those cleanings if this bug gets out of hand again...

Everybody, try to stay healthy!

 

[TheGlensideGregorys]

I know I'll be watching the news carefully going into January. Were there any problems on the Magic (or any DCL) with Norwalk last year?

(First DCL cruise, and only 2nd ever so DW will be asking when she reads this...)

 

[hydster]

And the norwalk can has been opened for yet another year

 

[KathyTX]

Originally posted by TheGlensideGregorys
Were there any problems on the Magic (or any DCL) with Norwalk last year?

You're new here, right?

Yes, DCL as well as many other cruise lines was hit with Norwalk. One Magic cruise was cancelled order to thoroughly clean the ship.

But you really don't want to get some of our friends here started on that!!

 

[nuke]

But if the ship was full, 1332 people didn't get sick. Even if it was half full 606 people didn't get sick.

 

[hydster]

You MUST be new here!!!!

Brace yourself!

Heidi

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Uh, oh! I hear the sirens blaring!!!

 

[TheGlensideGregorys]

Relatively new to DCL; as this is our first cruise. All of your comments actually shed light on posts that I have come across in the past few months of looking/researching DCL posts - so I think I see what you all mean!

Well, best I can do is stay healthy and be informed. And trust that DCL has learned from the past year and will take some pro-active steps to keep ahead of this thing.

 

[AnnMorin]

With the cold weather comes illness,I have a bad cold right now (working in a "petrie dish" does that to you) there is nothing to get worked up about.

 

[CRB#33]

In addition to washing constantly, try to make sure that nothing touches your mouth, nose area.

I wash and use things like purell constantly and I have been unable to keep from getting this nasty cold/sinus thing that is going around. The only thing I can think of is that it's either airborne or I touched my face by mistake after being exposed by one of my students.

Try not to worry.

 

[ohiominnie]

'tis the season. It's bound to happen. You take 200+ people and cram them into 964 feet and people this time of year are going to get sick. The cruise lines, of course, could ban anyone from the ships who shows any sort of illness (runny nose, cough, sneezing, low grade temp, etc) but then the ships would be empty.

Dh is a pediatrician, he's seeing 60 kids a day who have some sort of viral illness. School is back in session. Like I said above, you stick 2000+ kids in a small space and they are going to give each other germs.

It must be another slow news year. Last year it was a slow news year and so the cruise ship crisis took top priority. They failed to mention that actually LAST years numbers were DOWN from the previous year.....it's just the year before there was actually something newsworthy going on so the media focuses on THAT instead of the illnesses on the ships.

 

[imgoingtodisney]

ahhhhhhhhhhh - NO NO NO NO NO NO NO - NOT GONNA HAPPEN
THE 11/30 CANCELLED CRUISERS WILL BE ON THE CRUISE THIS YEAR

Actually I was just thinking this morn that it was just about 3-4wks before "that" cruise got cancelled that it all started
Was it Nov 9 or 16?

 

[Cindyluwho]

Yes, I was on the "diseased" Disney cruise last year but no, I won't make any comments about that we're going on the Magic on Dec 6th and we're more than prepared to fight off more than the Norwalk. Here's my advice if you're traveling anywhere by bus, plane or cruise ship.
1. First of all, remember, these viruses are everywhere. They're just easier to catch in a small, enclosed environment, especially with recirculated air.
2. Handywipes, diaper wipes, etc are the GREATEST!! Use them to wipe down your arm rests, tray tables, anything you might touch on the plane. AND your hands.
3. Keep your hands away from your face, especially your eyes and nose! I know that's hard for the little ones, that's why it's a good idea to wipe down surfaces also.
4. Air conditioning and recirculated air dry out the membranes in your nasal passages which makes you more susceptible to any virus trying to get to you. Keep the inside of your nose moist. Use saline nose drops or better yet put a dab of neosporin or 3-in-1 ointment inside your nose and rub it around real good (what fun!).
5. Most important! ENJOY YOUR VACATION!!
All of these tips and more are available on the CDC's website.

 

[my3kids]

Barb...you found the post first...I was going to post to ask to change the title to "Barb, Please don't Peek"

I was on Nov. 2 and think that was the last cruise before the blank hit the fan, so to speak.

Relax!!!! That was one time in how many years of cruises that ships actually cancelled.

Breathe deeply while clicking your heels together and say "I will get to cruise, I will get to cruise"

 

[lsmac]

Whew! I knew this was gonna cause a stir again! We sailed on the cruise right after the "infamous cancelled cruise" last year and PEOPLE STILL GOT SICK! IF people don't wash their hands and take extra precautions, there is nothing the cruiseline can do to stop the spread of viruses like this! People coming on airplanes, busses, your kids going to school...all of that is the "cause" ...not cruising. So take Cindyluwho's tips and USE THEM! (I'm not exactly yelling here...just not sure how to bold...)
BTW, Purell makes handy dandy little wipes too! We took these and a bottle of Purell with us last year and will again this year.

Lisa

 

[Jeanny]

oH GOD!! here we go again... IMGTD - DON'T EVEN START. We really DON'T want to hear your whining for another year.

There is nothing anyone can do about it ...it's going to happen, people are going to get sick. DCL did the best they could with the Norwalk Virus. It's up to the People to pay attention and keep their hands, etc clean!

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

If anyone remembers this past summer the Norwalk also hit some west coast ships to Alaska and a European cruise. It happens a lot just does not make the news all of the time. Heck I am going on the Magic on 10/25/03 and am more concerned with TS Nicholas than Norwalk.

I was prepared before this latest incident as everyone should be. Last year we were on the 10/27 4 day Wonder and then spent time at WDW after and my 16 month old threw up for 2 days the day we went from the ship to WDW and my 5 year threw up for 1 day the next day........it ruined our time at WDW since we were stuck in the room at the resort but what can you do. This time I will be prepared with antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizers, antibacterial pump soaps in each bathroom and trying to always use our cabins bathrooms in lieu of the public. Plus I added the previous suggestion of Neosporin or saline......................breathe Barb, breath............................

 

[Regina]

Okay, enough of the remarks. Let's deal with the facts.

Yes, DCL was one of the lines who dealt with this and they found it necessary to cancel a cruise.

There are suggestions here that are good to follow in preventing your becoming infected.

You will be asked if you've had flu like symptoms when you check-in. You will be given wet wipes at the buffets. You will find a card in your room, and be given a letter, with tips to follow to prevent the spread of illness.

While nothing can eradicate it entirely, they're doing their best to keep it at bay.

Again, let's cut out the little comments. Your cooperation is appreciated.

 

[Scratch42]

Start taking your vitamins. Wash, Wash, Wash those hands. Bring some spray disenfectant and bring your own wipes. It was even suggested last year to cover the remote control with a plastic baggie.

Wipe any and all surfaces, especially on the plane ride going down! This still is no guarantee but nothing can be done about it. Tis the season!

See you on the cruise!

99 days to go!



Scratch


PS if you need wipes, let me know, I bought in bulk!LOL

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Wow, I thought I was being helpful since I thought I helped alleviate some of Barb's worries by listing more good prevention tips and about outbreaks this summer on other lines so she would not think the Magic was doomed.........................