Thanksgiving cruisers...just talked to DCL

[tbuot]

I just got off the phone with a DCL rep. regarding tommorrow's sailing. Here's the info:

I was transferred to a person that is dealing with the virus problem. He was a very nice and informative man. I was told that the ship most likely will not leave port until 7 or 8pm. I asked when he thought we would board and he said maybe 3 or 4 it just depends on how the sanitation process goes.

I asked if they would have anything to eat since we all thought we would be eating lunch onboard. He said he has not heard of any "food" plan for the terminal. But, "Disney would not want to make 2600 people unhappy and hungry." He suggested we buy/bring some food with us just in case. I agreed and will be doing this.

I asked how many confirmed ill. He said 84. I asked what do they do with the sick crew members and would they be replaced for our trip. They are in the infirmary and would not be on the sailing. I am glad to hear that these people will get the rest they need to recover and that we won't be exposed.

I asked about the food onboard and he said it was safe. I asked specifically about the ice machines ( as per another posting that talked about someone at a banquet fac. that contaminated the ice) He said all of those would be cleaned and they are cleaning the ship as we speak.

I asked him if he thought there was a chance of cancelling the sailing. He said no, that the numbers of sick people would have to higher.

I asked if there would be anything to occupy us at the terminal and he said he didn't know the specifics but DCL would want to keep everyone comfortable and happy. I asked if he thought the characters would be around and he thought that would be a stong possibility.

We are going to cruise.

 

[mcnuss]

A few more little details --

1. They are going to strip the rooms down - pillows, blankets, bedspreads, phones, clocks, etc... EVERYTHING will be sanitized.

2. They do not know how long we will be delayed. They suggested that if you have any flexibility at all with your timing that you should call DCL in the morning to see if they have an updated boarding time, that way if you don't have to, you won't wait in the terminal as long.

3. The sick passengers are quarantined to help try to stop the spread. This was not done by HAL, BTW. DCL is also in touch with the US Public Health Service, and they will be on board tomorrow working with DCL's crews to offer guidance in the sanitation process.

All told, I am satisfied with their response and we will be going and having a great time as planned.

We're just going to have to go with the flow a little more and be patient tomorrow.

 

[Michelle]

Thank you both for the update, and hope you have a WONDERFUL CRUISE!

 

[4nana]

Much *pixie dust*, good thoughts and prayers to all for a 'Magic'al cruise.
We'll be thinking about ya and keeping our fingers crossed!

 

[Carol RN]

I find it very hard to believe that they are going to be able to perform the necessary cleaning and sanitizing necessary to meet health requirements in the short amount of time they will be in port tomorrow, even taking into account that they plan on sailing late.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Magic passengers sailing after the "quickie" sanitization job.

 

[mcnuss]

Maybe this will help people put aside a little of the panic.

Cruising Health Risks Declining, Acc. to CDC

In recent months, media coverage of illness on board cruise
ships has created for some the impression that there has
been in increase in health risks for cruisers. Not so, says
an epidemiologist from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention in a story in today's USA Today
< http://www.usatoday.com/travel/vacations/destinations/2002/2002-11-22-sick-cruise.htm
>.
In fact, says Elaine Cramer of the CDC, "We've seen a
decline in the relative number of gastroenteritis outbreaks
since 1990." The fact that there are now more ships
carrying more passengers, combined with increased media
attention, has raised public awareness of illness on cruise
ships. The reality is that the likelihood of getting a
virus on a cruise has decreased.

Here are some ideas for talking to your clients about
cruise health:

-- When speaking to potential cruisers, be honest about the
health risks. Like any other activity, there are potential
hazards. Realistically, the hazards of cruising are in no
way extreme or out of proportion with the risks of everyday
activities like driving a car or riding a bike.

-- Show them the 11/22/02 USA Today story, "Despite
illness, ships don't harbor more germs."

-- Explain that the CDC carefully monitors illness on
cruise ships with a surveillance system implemented in 2000
that enables them to track any on-board illnesses closely.

-- Cruise lines work closely with the CDC to address any
health issues that come up. Most recently, Holland America
Line cancelled a sailing of the Amsterdam in order to
contain the virus and clean the ship.

-- The CDC has seen a decrease in per-passenger sickness
since 1990.