Recent cruisers: Is it still self-serve?

[DisneYE]

With the corona virus outbreak and particularly what is happening on the Diamond Princess, I was WonderIng:

- Is it still serve at Cabanas, drink , EyeScream stations?

I remember in one of the cruises we went to, where there was a rumored Norovirus case on the ship, there were some days where CM's took over serving all the food at cabanas and drink stations..

With the cruise industry taking extra precautions these days I'm thinking that could be the case... I wouldn't mind if they're doing that, I'm just curious.

 

[Lisa F]

With the corona virus outbreak and particularly what is happening on the Diamond Princess, I was WonderIng:

- Is it still serve at Cabanas, drink , EyeScream stations?

I remember in one of the cruises we went to, where there was a rumored Norovirus case on the ship, there were some days where CM's took over serving all the food at cabanas and drink stations..

With the cruise industry taking extra precautions these days I'm thinking that could be the case... I wouldn't mind if they're doing that, I'm just curious.

I'm getting on the Fantasy on Saturday and will try to post a quick report from my phone about what the check-in screening is like and any additional sanitation measures (by then I will have hopefully had lunch at Cabanas) before I lose my cell signal as i know this is a big source of anxiety for a lot of people.

 

[MarkLT1]

I'm getting on the Fantasy on Saturday and will try to post a quick report from my phone about what the check-in screening is like and any additional sanitation measures (by then I will have hopefully had lunch at Cabanas) before I lose my cell signal as i know this is a big source of anxiety for a lot of people.

Thanks Lisa! That would be very much appreciated. I hope you have an awesome cruise!

 

[mama&me]

We were on the Magic last week and it was still self serve.

 

[mmouse37]

We were on the Fantasy Feb 1-8 and it was self-serve. We did have a longer medical questionnaire to fill out and the questions mostly had to do with travel to/from China.

MJ

 

[DVC Doc]

Coronavirus spreads differently from Norovirus (respiratory droplet vs. fecal-oral), so buffets aren't a big concern. (Physician here.)

 

[MarkLT1]

Coronavirus spreads differently from Norovirus (respiratory droplet vs. fecal-oral), so buffets aren't a big concern. (Physician here.)

Honest question- How is respiratory droplet not a concern with buffets? A person in line with the virus sneezes.. while the glass shields are going to help mitigate, it is not going to do much when said person is a 4' tall child with their face at food level (below the glass). Also, Isn't the larger concern for respiratory droplets surface contact/contamination? I.e.- someone sneezes, it settles on the railing. Someone touches the railing, and then touches food while serving themselves?

 

[DisneYE]

Coronavirus spreads differently from Norovirus (respiratory droplet vs. fecal-oral), so buffets aren't a big concern. (Physician here.)

Thanks Doc, that's good to hear.
Based on what you say, do you think there will be ppl wearing masks on the ships in light of these issue? Would you advise on doing it?
Personally, I wouldn't wear a mask unless its strongly advised/mandatory...imo they add to the anxiety of ppl more than prevent anything, especially in a country where there's been less than 20 cases.

Thanks @Lisa F @mmouse37 and the others responding.

 

[Lisa F]

Thanks Doc, that's good to hear.
Based on what you say, do you think there will be ppl wearing masks on the ships in light of these issue? Would you advise on doing it?
Personally, I wouldn't wear a mask unless its strongly advised/mandatory...imo they add to the anxiety of ppl more than prevent anything, especially in a country where there's been less than 20 cases.

Thanks @Lisa F @mmouse37 and the others responding.

I don't think there will be people wearing masks but I'll let you know if I see any. I won't be!

 

[Cruising Engineer]

On the Dream, Jan 10-17 and the self-serve ice cream was taken over by 2 CMs. This was before the virus was announced. The self-serve area was remarkably clean and quick to get a cone.

 

[DCL Repeaters]

Off the Dream yesterday. Cabanas , soft serve all self serve, no one wearing masks. At check in there were 4 questions about travel to & from China. Each page of my passport was checked.

 

[DVC Doc]

Honest question- How is respiratory droplet not a concern with buffets? A person in line with the virus sneezes.. while the glass shields are going to help mitigate, it is not going to do much when said person is a 4' tall child with their face at food level (below the glass). Also, Isn't the larger concern for respiratory droplets surface contact/contamination? I.e.- someone sneezes, it settles on the railing. Someone touches the railing, and then touches food while serving themselves?

Because it's not more of a concern that the entire rest of the ship is. Someone could still spread to you in the theatre, at dinner, in line for a character, or contaminating any surface on board. This is why cruise ships in general are at much higher risk for spread of viruses due to the close quarters.

 

[MarkLT1]

Because it's not more of a concern that the entire rest of the ship is. Someone could still spread to you in the theatre, at dinner, in line for a character, or contaminating any surface on board. This is why cruise ships in general are at much higher risk for spread of viruses due to the close quarters.

Makes sense. (I was reading your "buffets are not a big concern" as just that- little concern.. rather than relative concern to other infection vectors on a cruise ship).

 

[DVC Doc]

Thanks Doc, that's good to hear.
Based on what you say, do you think there will be ppl wearing masks on the ships in light of these issue? Would you advise on doing it?
Personally, I wouldn't wear a mask unless its strongly advised/mandatory...imo they add to the anxiety of ppl more than prevent anything, especially in a country where there's been less than 20 cases.

Thanks @Lisa F @mmouse37 and the others responding.

Masks are overkill, and (unless you buy the correct type) many masks are too porous to prevent the spread of coronavirus anyway.

 

[MarkLT1]

One thought re: buffets. It seems to me that it would make sense (if one is concerned) to use the hand sanitizing wipes they give you when entering the buffet, AND to use them again (or gel hand sanitizer) after you serve yourself, and before you eat. With droplet transmission, I could see a higher potential for infection due to a person sneezing/coughing/touching their mouth after sanitizing, getting the virus on their hands, then touching the serving utensils, which could then be spread to your hands as you serve yourself. Now you're feeding yourself with potentially contaminated hands. I think we'll likely take that precaution on our cruise in April (and in general, it seems it would be a good precaution to take).

(Only bringing this up, as many people, myself included, probably think "Oh, I used those hand wipes, I am all clean now.")

 

[DisneYE]

One thought re: buffets. It seems to me that it would make sense (if one is concerned) to use the hand sanitizing wipes they give you when entering the buffet, AND to use them again (or gel hand sanitizer) after you serve yourself, and before you eat. With droplet transmission, I could see a higher potential for infection due to a person sneezing/coughing/touching their mouth after sanitizing, getting the virus on their hands, then touching the serving utensils, which could then be spread to your hands as you serve yourself. Now you're feeding yourself with potentially contaminated hands. I think we'll likely take that precaution on our cruise in April (and in general, it seems it would be a good precaution to take).

(Only bringing this up, as many people, myself included, probably think "Oh, I used those hand wipes, I am all clean now.")

I also plan on taking extra precautions for our upcoming cruise in 2 weeks.
We always wash our hands thoroughly at cabanas, use the wipes at the MDRs before dinner. Now I'll take hand sanitizer to use after we grab our food at cabanas... will make sure to avoid touching railings and other surfaces as much as possible, not much more you can do.
Although on a different thread on here someone said he/she will use gloves at the buffet... that's a bit extreme and I think some ppl are over exaggerating... fun times.

 

[insureman]

I'm getting on the Fantasy on Saturday and will try to post a quick report from my phone about what the check-in screening is like and any additional sanitation measures (by then I will have hopefully had lunch at Cabanas) before I lose my cell signal as i know this is a big source of anxiety for a lot of people.

That would be helpful. We are boarding the Fantasy the following Saturday after you.

 

[Chirple]

Off the Fantasy this past Saturday. Still self-serve and only saw one young couple wearing masks.

 

[lwilliam]

Off the Wonder on Friday. Everything was self-serve but was a little disappointed...no sign not to refill cups, except with paper cups provided (signs were on Fantasy last summer), everyone walked up and put their personal,cups up to fountains (I used the paper cups to fill my TERVIS). Also there were no crew standing around ice cream. Also since it was the first cruise out of New Orleans, they (ground staff) were not too worried about checking passports (if we were in China lately), and were confused about handing out medical forms (ground staff again)...but on the positive side, you could not walk into Cabanas without washing your hands (thank you crew) and those bathrooms were constantly being cleaned, in addition to ship.

 

[Lisa F]

That would be helpful. We are boarding the Fantasy the following Saturday after you.

happy to try to answer any questions anyone might have while we are in port and before internet starts costing me!