Topic: Fred Olsens Boudica

We are due to sail on this cruise liner on May 13th 2010,and are concerned by the high frequency of the novo virus as it has occurred on at least six or seven cruises recently. This has been put down to lack of cleanliness of passengers,but I am sceptical as it seems to occur on most cruises which would suggest that either it is not cleaned properly or the crew are the cause of the continuing contamination. As my husband is approaching 80 I do not want to risk him catching it . What safeguards have we got?

I too am concerned with this issue. We are sailing on this ship in August to Norway. However, to try to put your mind at rest, I have sailed on Boudicca before and found the ship to be spotless in every area and the crew so fastidious. You can't enter the dining rooms without being sprayed by the antibacterial gel and if you eat in the dining rooms you don't run the risk of people with unhygienic habits touching the implements.
The other factor in your favour is that Norovirus is mainly a 'winter vomiting disease' and not really prevalent in the summer. However, I wouldn't want to be quoted on that as I've got no medical qualifications and am just going by what I have read in newspaper or magazine articles.
it might be an idea for you to have a chat with your doctor who can give you some sound information. Given your husbands age, I think you are right to be concerned and should seek advice.
If you do go ahead with your cruise, I can assure you that you will find every comfort on this ship, and your every need attended to by the wonderful, smiling and efficient crew, mainly Phillipino, who work on this ship. It does have an elderly clientele, which is perhaps why it struggles with this virus so much. I am in my 50s and felt like a teenager when I was on this ship! rather a nice feeeling!
I hope all goes well for you
Angela

Just make sure you always wash your hands a lot...when using loo, eating, even when just being in a public place for a while. Always use the gels.
I've never ever (touch wood) had a problem but am always over cautious when it comes to washing my hands on board.
Even if you use the waiter's pen to sign for something....take some of your own gel just to be certain.
I would say ...don't worry. The number of people who get it are far fewer than those who don't and you are far more likely to get the virus at the doctors surgery or hospital on land

Forgot to say, that you can also buy antiviral foam at Boots which can help to ward off this virus. Try to use your own bathroom whenever possible and if using public toilets on the ship, perhaps open doors with paper towels, elbows etc. as has been suggested by other posters in the past. Also to reiterate what Cazza has said, the number of people who come down with this illness is always a small percentage of passengers. Please don't worry too much, but get good sound medical advice and enjoy your holiday. By the way, where are you going?
Regards
Angela

Just on the news tonight four wards shut at a Southend hospital :o
No amount of gel will stop it
When it get's onboard the only answer is to confine the affected passengers to their cabins.
It becomes airborne when someone is sick or coughs

QUOTE:

Forgot to say, that you can also buy antiviral foam at Boots which can help to ward off this virus. Try to use your own bathroom whenever possible and if using public toilets on the ship, perhaps open doors with paper towels, elbows etc. as has been suggested by other posters in the past. Also to reiterate what Cazza has said, the number of people who come down with this illness is always a small percentage of passengers. Please don't worry too much, but get good sound medical advice and enjoy your holiday. By the way, where are you going?
Regards
Angela

Using your own bathroom is the best thing again the gel will not stop it.
You may have cleaned your hands others have not.
What you need to avoid is putting your hand to your mouth.

You can catch it anywhere - relax - enjoy your cruise, it probably will not happen!

Thanks for your replies, I wondered if you had any redress against the cruise liner.

Fred curtailed the last cruise by 2 days so they could deep clean the ship before her next cruise. This was on my local tv news programme and it showed her sailing into Liverpool ready for the clean. Journalists were not allowed near her and reported from a distance from her. Passengers they spoke to told of their disappointment at having their holiday cut short but were glad to be home.
This gives Fred an opportunity to really go to town with the cleaning but I don't see how they can ever eradicate the problem totally, it will only take one person to re introduce it back on board.
We have been on ships with Noro and thankfully have avoided contracting it. The advice given above is very useful so just be vigilant and hopefully you won't have a problem..Carol

QUOTE:

We are due to sail on this cruise liner on May 13th 2010,and are concerned by the high frequency of the novo virus as it has occurred on at least six or seven cruises recently. This has been put down to lack of cleanliness of passengers,but I am sceptical as it seems to occur on most cruises which would suggest that either it is not cleaned properly or the crew are the cause of the continuing contamination. As my husband is approaching 80 I do not want to risk him catching it . What safeguards have we got?

We to are going on 13 may. Spoke to somebody who had come of the last trip and she told me it was nearer 10% of passengers who had the virus not 70%. She was on a table with8 people and only 2 went down with it. Very dissapointed that their cruise was cutailed. I'm taking a bag full of imodian with me, better be safe than sorry. lol:p