Topic: Gastro Outbreak on Boudicca

Please can we have some basic food hygiene for passengers on cruise ships along with the life boat drills ?
I have seen some terrible dirty habits by some passengers on ships and I am not surprised by outbreaks of illnesses.

COuld it be that the Fred olsen ships have a higher percentage of "older " passengers than some other cruise lines and it is said that the very old and the very young are more susceptible to diseases etc - but I agree there could be other factors such as poor hygiene by passengers

We had tummy upsets whilst on last voyage of Black Prince. We felt we'd picked up a bug ashore after a delicious lunch!! We reported it to the nurse and when problems persisted were confined to cabin. Everyone was very helpful and our bathroom was fumigated by boiler suited and masked man!! When it was apparent later that day that no one else was affected we were allowed out! I do feel as others have pointed out that the average age of FO passengers may have a bearing. Also we self reported ( I am a retired nurse and did not wish to wreck the hols of others) We actually did not feel ill and many people I'm sure would have carried on regardless.
Oh dear I sound a bit smug - sorry

QUOTE:

I'm sure the Virus is brought onboard by Unhygenic people.

No need to "bring it onboard" methinks.
Each and every one of us carry it with us.
It's called 'poo'!!

My surgeon once told me that Cholera follows the fecal-oral route.

It's as simple as that.
WASH YER BLOOMIN HANDS will ya?



And while you're washing those hands,
you might consider that the same tap you just touched
is now infected by those same dirty hands, isn't it..
so you might as well wash the tap too
-or you simply re-infect those nice clean hands
when you go to turn the tap off! ;)

Amazing how few ppl can figure that one out
(I've been washing every single tap for 20 yrs. now
and I am not OCD, trust me --not in that dept.)


This is basic basic stuff, people. Hello-o-o?

.

QUOTE:

And while you're washing those hands,
you might consider that the same tap you just touched
is now infected by those same dirty hands, isn't it..
so you might as well wash the tap too
-or you simply re-infect those nice clean hands
when you go to turn the tap off! ;)

Amazing how few ppl can figure that one out
(I've been washing every single tap for 20 yrs. now
and I am not OCD, trust me --not in that dept.)


This is basic basic stuff, people. Hello-o-o?

.

I know that one ship I've been on had the "magic" taps with the little light sensor so that you didn't have to touch them but I can't remember which, they also have them at our local Costco and the toilet flushes are the same. No need to touch any one elses germs apart from on the soap / soap dispenser handle

QUOTE:

I know that one ship I've been on had the "magic" taps with the little light sensor so that you didn't have to touch them but I can't remember which, they also have them at our local Costco and the toilet flushes are the same. No need to touch any one elses germs apart from on the soap / soap dispenser handle

Yes - just goes to prove that cross infection CAN be designed out if they care to. I wash hands VERY well. Grab a paper towel, turn off the tap, throw towel away and grab another to dry, throw away and grab another to use to cover the handles on the way out of the loo. I do this everywhere, not just on a cruise. I was stuck once however - My favorite line so far (Seabourne) has little towels in the toilets. Now it is not easy to exit the ladies on there, towel in hand ! Especially if the Steward is waiting outside to take your arm (no I am NOT infirm) and escort you back to your table. I did try once to 'escape' the dining room without a steward noticing - they didn't but the Maitre D did ! Now that's SERVICE.

In all our years of cruising we have never been ill, maybe we have been lucky, but I would like to put it down to basic precautions such as washing hands before retiring to bed.
I do feel that the cruise lines should now send everybody an information sheet with the cruise tickets on virus information and basic passenger hygiene, and what is required of passengers during the cruise.
Sterile wipes for wiping door handles etc are a good idea, but when we see someone leaving the toilet without washing hands we should call them back and remind them, that they have forgotten, its also our own safety that they put at risk.

On P&O vessels they suggest you use a tissue for the door handle and then put it in the conveniently placed bin by the exit. Not very green, but if it prevents cross infection then I'm all for it.

I have a friend called Peter in Congleton.

I will sail with you very good clean hygenic people anytime!