Topic: NOROVIRUS-Pointing the Finger

I have actually observed a couple with child in tow arrive at Manchester Airport check in with the daughter wrapped in a blanket (10/11 years of age) holding a plastic bowl and being sick.

I was horrified when they got into the queue to complete the health questionnaire before boarding a flight to Barbados for OV.

Luckily for us and our fellow travellers they were turned away before being able to board the flight, but only after the father had screamed and shouted so the rest of the world could hear and being threatened with being escorted out by the police!

QUOTE:

I believe that amongst the artefacts found when the Mary Rose was brought to the surface was a document on which could still be observed the following:

Ye Healthe Questionnaire

1. Have ye gotte ye plague?
2. Have ye gotte ye pox?

along with..."3. Is yonder ship loaded up correctingly. Guns de heavy at the bot. Weevils up top":D

I am sorry to say, but the blame lies totally with the passenger(s). My wife is a nurse and she has witnessed at first hand the appalling hygiene of some passengers. Not washing hands after using the toilet being the main one. I too have witnessed this! I cannot understand why it is that some gentlemen think that they do not need to wash their hands after visiting the toilet. Yes, a hand gel will help to a certain extent, but this is no substitute for proper hand washing. Take some bacterial wipes with you and wipe the door handles in your cabin especially the toilet if you are worried. These can easily be packed in your wife's handbag! If your wives are anything like mine, they contain everything but the kitchen sink!!

QUOTE:

I spotted a review earlier today recently written by a passenger who had picked up the Norovirus. A number of comments had been added, one of which I copy here:-

"We were also on Queen Victoria at the same time. I contracted the bug despite being ultra careful about handwashing etc.Cunard were not good at handling the situation.We changed ships in Fort Lauderdale to the Grand Princess I didn't feel well until about 2 days before we were due to come home.It was a holiday from hell".

The comment, of course, beggars belief and indeed had already attracted a somewhat scornful comment from one of this Forum's members. This is the members comment:-

"How interesting that you joined "another ship" so shortly after you had been hit by the N.virus. Were you not asked to complete a public health questionnaire before boarding the ship at F.lauderdale ? The one that says ' To assist us in preventing the spread of Communicable Disease during your cruise, we require you to answer the following questions' ( you did before you boarded Cunard and you would have done before you boarded Princess) Which box did you tick for question (2) 'within the last few days, have you or any person listed above developed any symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting' ? Yes - NO It then asks for your signature to the questions and goes onto say ' I certify that the above declaration is true and correct and that any dishonest answers may have serious health implications'. It is easy to put the blame onto the individual cruise companies when there is an outbreak, when in fact this sort of virus is often brought onto the ship by the guest".

I just find it amazing that the writer of the original comment even had the nerve to write it, let alone admit it. Is it any wonder this virus is a problem on cruise ships?

Any other views?

My husband and I were unfortunately on the Queen Victoria, he was very ill with the norovirus 2 days into our trip.
Now here is the problem, we have saved for a very long time and both having some very complex health issues, this was a trip of a lifetime for us. The green card arrived a couple of days before departure and unsure which box to complete regarding the communicable disease, I called the medical centre and asked the question do I tick yes because he had been affected, or no because he had no symptoms in the previous 48 hours. The reply was if you tick yes you wont be let in so put no.
You are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, we are not dishonest people but felt encouraged to stretch the truth. The alternative was not to be allowed to disembark in New York or ultimately transfer ships and continue our trip of a lifetime.
We isolated ourselves to avoid me becoming ill, or my husband being re infected.
The majority of our trip on the Victoria was spent in our cabin in order to protect the second part of our trip on the Grand Princess around the Caribbean. So for us this was the holiday from hell. We were well when we joined the ship in Southampton and it just completely ruined everything. The virus impacted on every area, room service was stretched to its limit, queues for the restaurant were horrendous, if you wanted to eat in the Golden Lion you had to be in there at 10am to get a seat, it just goes on and on.
This rates as one of the worst experiences of my life and someone has to take responsibility.
The lack of hand sanitising in public areas was poor, along with a distinct failure in basic health and hygiene practises. It will certainly make us think twice before booking with Cunard again.
The final insult, receiving a bill for $205 for the privilege of being ill.
Thanks for nothing.

QUOTE:

I called the medical centre and asked the question do I tick yes because he had been affected, or no because he had no symptoms in the previous 48 hours. The reply was if you tick yes you wont be let in so put no.
You are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, we are not dishonest people but felt encouraged to stretch the truth. The alternative was not to be allowed to disembark in New York or ultimately transfer ships and continue our trip of a lifetime.

I think at this point if the ship (Cunard) knew that travellers had been ill on their ship, they should have informed immigration of the status off all affected, even if this resulted in some people being refused to board other ships. The only way stop infections on board is if people have to be completely honest (even if this is reinforced with fines for false declarations)

I am sorry this couple had their holiday ruined and were afraid of the losses they would have incurred but isn't this what health insurance is for? Why should everyone else have to suffer because of the small minority of self centred individuals.

I have no sympathy what so ever for the $205 costs incurred as they then very publicly went on to infect another ship.

Sorry rant over Shell

QUOTE:

I think at this point if the ship (Cunard) knew that travellers had been ill on their ship, they should have informed immigration of the status off all affected, even if this resulted in some people being refused to board other ships. The only way stop infections on board is if people have to be completely honest (even if this is reinforced with fines for false declarations)

I am sorry this couple had their holiday ruined and were afraid of the losses they would have incurred but isn't this what health insurance is for? Why should everyone else have to suffer because of the small minority of self centred individuals.

I have no sympathy what so ever for the $205 costs incurred as they then very publicly went on to infect another ship.

Sorry rant over Shell

There are three separate issues here.

The first issue is what happened on Queen Victoria. I wasn't there, so I can't comment about the on-board hygiene. However, I am surprised the ship charged for medical services to treat norovirus. Princess Cruises encourage any passenger who suffers vomiting and diarrhoea to contact the Medical Center immediately - and as an incentive to prevent infected people from hiding their symptoms, they state publicly that there will no charge for treatment of that condition.

The second issue is whether the passenger should declare himself / herself free of any disease, upon arrival in the USA. That is an immigration issue, which is intended to protect the USA from the spread of serious communicable diseases, such as TB, AIDS, etc. Although norovirus is both unpleasant and communicable, I do not blame the passenger from telling a "white lie" on the green visa waiver card. In any case, that has nothing to do with the cruise line.

The third issue is whether the passenger should "lie", on the Princess Cruises health declaration. I was on Tahitian Princess last year, when there was a very minor outbreak of norovirus. The virus had probably been introduced by a passenger, who might have had no symptoms whatoever, when he boarded the ship. It is virtually impossible to prevent such occurrences and the outbreak was very well controlled.

I enquired what would happen, if a passenger who had previously suffered vomiting and diarrhoea gave an honest answer on the public health questionnaire. I was told that the passenger would be allowed to board, but would be escorted immediately to his cabin and would be quarantined for a few days, until the risk of infection had passed.

That seems to be a very sensible policy - and I wish cruise lines would explain on the form what is likely to happen, if they have suffered from recent gastro-intestinal symptoms.

QUOTE:

My husband and I were unfortunately on the Queen Victoria, he was very ill with the norovirus 2 days into our trip.
Now here is the problem, we have saved for a very long time and both having some very complex health issues, this was a trip of a lifetime for us. The green card arrived a couple of days before departure and unsure which box to complete regarding the communicable disease, I called the medical centre and asked the question do I tick yes because he had been affected, or no because he had no symptoms in the previous 48 hours. The reply was if you tick yes you wont be let in so put no.
You are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, we are not dishonest people but felt encouraged to stretch the truth. The alternative was not to be allowed to disembark in New York or ultimately transfer ships and continue our trip of a lifetime.
We isolated ourselves to avoid me becoming ill, or my husband being re infected.
The majority of our trip on the Victoria was spent in our cabin in order to protect the second part of our trip on the Grand Princess around the Caribbean. So for us this was the holiday from hell. We were well when we joined the ship in Southampton and it just completely ruined everything. The virus impacted on every area, room service was stretched to its limit, queues for the restaurant were horrendous, if you wanted to eat in the Golden Lion you had to be in there at 10am to get a seat, it just goes on and on.
This rates as one of the worst experiences of my life and someone has to take responsibility.
The lack of hand sanitising in public areas was poor, along with a distinct failure in basic health and hygiene practises. It will certainly make us think twice before booking with Cunard again.
The final insult, receiving a bill for $205 for the privilege of being ill.
Thanks for nothing.

I'm intrigued. The quote that I used to initiate this thread was a comment taken from the review section of this site. That particular comment was written by a person called Roberts from Mold. Is this evidence of the widespread practice of ignoring cruise line's preliminary precautions?

QUOTE:

I think at this point if the ship (Cunard) knew that travellers had been ill on their ship, they should have informed immigration of the status off all affected, even if this resulted in some people being refused to board other ships. The only way stop infections on board is if people have to be completely honest (even if this is reinforced with fines for false declarations)

I am sorry this couple had their holiday ruined and were afraid of the losses they would have incurred but isn't this what health insurance is for? Why should everyone else have to suffer because of the small minority of self centred individuals.

I have no sympathy what so ever for the $205 costs incurred as they then very publicly went on to infect another ship.

Sorry rant over Shell

How can you say that we went on to very publicly infect another ship? please read my post again and you will see that I say my husband had been symptom free for 48 hours before we arrived in New York and the green card was completed a couple of days before we disembarked.
I am certain that had there have been a risk to fellow passengers the isolation period would have been extended.
As for the charge of $205, peanuts to some, a matter of principle to others and a lot of scrimping and saving to others. Health insurance we have unfortunately with a £100 excess and very probably an increase in premiums when renewal comes round, hardly fair really.
Final comment, you can see that this was my first post so strongly were my feelings about our experience, I was just trying to make others aware, if my comments help someone else avoid the pitfalls of cruising then it would have been worth while. However maybe all you hardened and seasoned folks who use this forum could go easy on us newbies and thus encourage more people to join, rather than shoot us down in flames.

QUOTE:

There are three separate issues here.

The first issue is what happened on Queen Victoria. I wasn't there, so I can't comment about the on-board hygiene. However, I am surprised the ship charged for medical services to treat norovirus. Princess Cruises encourage any passenger who suffers vomiting and diarrhoea to contact the Medical Center immediately - and as an incentive to prevent infected people from hiding their symptoms, they state publicly that there will no charge for treatment of that condition.

The second issue is whether the passenger should declare himself / herself free of any disease, upon arrival in the USA. That is an immigration issue, which is intended to protect the USA from the spread of serious communicable diseases, such as TB, AIDS, etc. Although norovirus is both unpleasant and communicable, I do not blame the passenger from telling a "white lie" on the green visa waiver card. In any case, that has nothing to do with the cruise line.

The third issue is whether the passenger should "lie", on the Princess Cruises health declaration. I was on Tahitian Princess last year, when there was a very minor outbreak of norovirus. The virus had probably been introduced by a passenger, who might have had no symptoms whatoever, when he boarded the ship. It is virtually impossible to prevent such occurrences and the outbreak was very well controlled.

I enquired what would happen, if a passenger who had previously suffered vomiting and diarrhoea gave an honest answer on the public health questionnaire. I was told that the passenger would be allowed to board, but would be escorted immediately to his cabin and would be quarantined for a few days, until the risk of infection had passed.

That seems to be a very sensible policy - and I wish cruise lines would explain on the form what is likely to happen, if they have suffered from recent gastro-intestinal symptoms.

Sounds to me that the Queen Victoria could well do with adopting the practises of the Grand Princess, which by the way was excellent, although we knew of several people who came down with the virus once on board, we remained healthy throughout.
Thank you for your comments both constructive and informative.

2 years ago we were on RCI Voyager doing back to back Caribbean Cruises. I was taken ill on last 2 days of first cruise, was visited by ships doctor & an officer, very sympathetic, asked if I was OK for 2nd cruise or did I want them to arrange flight home. Did 2nd cruise - they were very attentive & concerned.
MOST impressive service!