People sick on Carnival Liberty?

Suzila · November 16, 2006

Just heard about this on our local news:

clock Nov 16, 2006 6:56 am US/Pacific

700-Plus Sick On Atlantic Cruise

(AP) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. More than 700 passengers and crew members aboard a trans-Atlantic cruise have fallen ill with flu-like symptoms, cruise line officials said.

The outbreak, believed to be norovirus, struck people aboard the Carnival Cruise Lines' Liberty, one of the world's largest cruise ships, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the Miami-based company.

The ship left Rome on Nov. 3 with about 2,800 paying passengers and was due to arrive in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday.

"Within 24 hours of sailing, they had a lot of people sick. It has tapered off considerably over the past couple days," said David Forney, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

He said three environmental health specialists were expected to board the ship in St. Maarten on Thursday to oversee cleaning and to determine the cause of the outbreak.

Noroviruses affect about 23 million Americans annually, according to the CDC. More than a dozen incidents of the illness have been reported on cruise ships this year.

JoeyandDavid · November 16, 2006

I must say the Celebrity's consistently waving hand sanitizer at you at every entry way at check-in, on the gangway, anywhere they had room they placed a dispenser, I guess the incident earlier they took actions! Lets hope everyone from Carnivals latest voyage feels better soon. and Maybe it's time to get a little tougher at Carnival Corporation...

Suzila · November 16, 2006

Royal Caribbean also had hand sanitizer available as we boarded the ship after an excursion on our Alaskan cruise.

I always have some in my purse, and use my own. We flew the day after the last terrorist scare in August, and they had everyone throw all the liquid-type items away. I had heard about it the night before, and re-packed everything into our check-in luggage. But I hated being on the plane with no hand sanitizer.

TheSkipper · November 16, 2006

And the beat goes on. Almost all cruise lines are making hand sanitizer available.

We always take clorox handy wipes with us and clean the telephone, remote control, door handles, safe dial and pretty much anything we can reach in the cabin. Have a despenser of hand wash with sanitizer in the bathroom and a supply of the little packets with us at all times.

All it takes is one sick passenger for these things to start. I have to laugh at the questionaire they had you when you arrive at the port asking if you are sick. After flying across the country and spending all that money to go on a cruise, how many folks do you think are going to answer "yes" to that question??

The reports I've read sound like the worst is past on this sailing.

JoeyandDavid · November 16, 2006

I DO like that idea Skipper

Mebert · November 16, 2006

I carry a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer in my pocket. Additionally, I constantly wash my hands, particularly if I haven't been in my cabin for an extended period.

I noticed that trash cans on Carnival are placed strategically near the bathroom exit. I usually use the paper towel to turn off the tap and also use it to pull the bathroom door open, then I discard it in the conveniently located receptacle. Sometimes there is a box of paper adhered to the door just for use in using the door handle.

700 people sounds like a huge number. I feel badly for all of those people.

Suzila · November 16, 2006

"I noticed that trash cans on Carnival are placed strategically near the bathroom exit. I usually use the paper towel to turn off the tap and also use it to pull the bathroom door open, then I discard it in the conveniently located receptacle. Sometimes there is a box of paper adhered to the door just for use in using the door handle."

And, according to health specialists...that's exactly what you SHOULD be doing. I do it too. I was watching a news report on tv and the experts advise that if there ISN'T a trash can close to the door so this can be done, you should just throw the used paper towel on the floor near the door, and they'll get the idea. While I haven't done that yet, I have gone to the manager of a restaurant and told them to get a trash can near the door. The next time I went, it was right there.

GottaCruz · November 17, 2006

I do that also, Mebert. I also try very hard not to touch any railings by the stairs or on deck.

jtutak · November 17, 2006

1.The cruise-lines main draw is unlimited food on cruises.

2. The cultures that many of the crew are from, don't practice proper hygiene.

3. The cruise-lines want you to think its the passengers fault.

DaCruzNut · November 22, 2006

When I disembarked the Regal Empress, on Sunday, the Liberty was at the next dock. Waiting for the elevator, in the parking garage, I got to speak to a number of passengers who had just come off the Liberty. Apparently, the outbreak was traced to two passengers who were ill, with the virus, when they boarded, in Europe..... This was, later, verified by the CDC, in Washington.