Stomach viruses

[HIHO...HIHO]

I keep hearing about people getting sick on the cruises due to the norwalk virus, or some virus similar! Has this happened to anyone? I also heard that on one trip they cofirmed it came from the shrimp that is set out on departure day! Any thoughts?

 

[princess Snow]

I believe gastrointestinal illlness is the most common ailment on cruise ships, and it's not related to spoiled food. GI is spread through hand contact, and it's completely avoidable by washing your hands as much as possible.

 

[alexandrew]

In any confined space, such as a cruise ship,some people are apt to get sick....it is the law of averages....It is absolutely the exception to the rule though....

Yes, there was a problem a few years ago with some people getting sick from the peel and eat shrimp served at the embarkation buffet....I dont recall this ever being a problem thereafter.....

 

[RealMickeysGirl]

Also remember that washing hands before eating/after bathroom visits isn't really enough. We get a lot of sicknesses from touching our face with dirty hands. Any surface you touch on board could have viruses on them.

I am not saying be parinoid - just be careful to use a bandana, napkin or something to wipe your face with if you get hot and sweaty - not just your bare hand.

And hand washing is the best way to avoid "touch aquired" bugs (virus or bacteria).

 

[newholidayx2]

DCL had a Norwalk virus problem back in Nov 02

 

[hayesktrm]

I got violently sick the day after the cruise last year. I honestly thought I was going to die. I should have gone to the hospital, but I couldn't leave the bathroom. I was very good about washing my hands a lot and I brought anti-bacterial hand wipes. Oh well, I hope I don't get sick this year.

 

[spotdog]

I read in a Department of Health memo that the Norwalk-like viruses are usually spread through fecal/oral contact. This would be not washing hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers. There is no excuse for this.

It also can be spread by airborne vomit. Sometimes this is unavoidable with small children who tend to give no warning. I suspect this may be why DCL can require those who have vomited to stay in their stateroom for 24-48 hours after it subsides.

 

[flexsmom]

Aircraft are also a great place to pick up nasty bugs. Recycled air, and the water consistently doesn't test to be pure (I know - just ask for bottled instead!) A lot of us start and end our cruises with plane trips and I would be interested in knowing how many of these illnesses could be attributed to that as much as the ship.

 

[JennsBabySky]

Also, don't reuse mugs when getting soda! My personal pet peeve. I know that the free soda has small cups, so get two or three. Of course it is a waste of paper goods, but better than spreading germs (IMO at least).

Off my soapbox now. It is tough in situations like airplanes and cruise ships. Lots of people in close proximity. Follow the earlier posted advice and wash hands often and thorughly. Not a lot more you can do (without getting too Howard Hughes). DCL is pretty careful with their food and buffets, so I think you'll be safe there. It is everyone else you need to worry about (did the person who pushed the elevator button before you wash their hands, did the person who used the salad tongs in the buffet before you wash their hands, etc.)

 

[CM_Mom]

DCL does monitor health levels very closely and puts extra precautions in place when appropriate. Earlier this year (maybe late last year) when there was a published account of sickness on another ship, I heard that DCL reserved "fun busses" for DCL crew only while one of the ships was in port so they wouldn't come in contact with the crew from other ships.

I also read on the boards that they were handing out sanitizing wipes as you entered the dining rooms during a time of "heightened" awareness.

Personally I think there is remarkably little illness on the ships considering that almost 2500 new people come on everytime they come back to Port Canaveral and everyone is in pretty close quarters.

 

[Scratch42]

I keep hearing about people getting sick on the cruises due to the norwalk virus, or some virus similar! Has this happened to anyone? I also heard that on one trip they cofirmed it came from the shrimp that is set out on departure day! Any thoughts?

No Way!

DD is allergic to shrimp so therefore she cannot eat any therefore she did not get sick from them!

It was the Hot Dog she ate!LOL

If there is any problem, it's due to the fact that there are still some people out there that refuse to wash their hands after they use the bathrooms! Or even after they change a diaper in a public area!

Why in this day and age this is still happening, I don't know!?!

Do your best to do your part and try not to touch the handrails when walking down the stairs, use your elbow for pushing buttons on the elevators, and keep your hands clean and you should avoid some of the problems!

Happy Sailing!

Scratch

 

[Laura24]

outside of dining rooms, buffet and when embarkiing ships at ports, are portable hand sanitizer stations. It's motion sensitive, (never have to touch) and dispenses a sanitizing foam. Now, if more people would pay attention and actually use them, it sure would help alleviate the virus situation.