Oh, no! Glenda, I hope they get everything clean and you have a good trip with no drama.

Actually, it may be a Godsend. RC is going to make sure every boat is spic and span before leaving port--at least for a while. Anyway, that's my hope for your cruise.

I had that virus two years ago on a cruise and it is NOT good.

I had to be wheel chaired off the ship and everywhere, I was so sick!

Get some over the counter diarrhea med to take with you. It is always a good idea when travelling. I would not want to be cruising now.

Glenda I hate to suggest not going, butâ¦..

Glenda, I don't think this was your ship. I think it was out of New Jersey which would be Exploration. Best of luck-use that sanitizer and wash wash wash your hands. Satine

It's not my ship, but is a Royal Caribbean and going to the ports that Independence of the Seas is headed toward, this coming Saturday.

I have my meds, sanitizers, but it's the OTHER people who do not abide by the sanitizing suggestions that has me worried.

I've seen people in the buffet line walk right past the hand sanitizers and pick up their food tray.

I agree that RC will probably be extra diligent about sanitizing all ships, surfaces, cabins, crew and consumables.

Pack your "just-in-case" meds and your "go-for-it" outlook. Have a fabulous trip and don't forget to send us pictures.

I hope your wounded wing is feeling better.

Thanks hounds x two! I am being very gentle with my "wounded wing".

Doctor told me not to tote anything with that side, and I have to keep reminding myself DON'T DO THAT!

I would hope for being a non-sickly passenger. Getting diverted to a beach, all expenses paid, would be fun. Sorry for those who were affected.

A great resource for any cruise is cruisecritic.com I mean it has everything you need to know about the ships and ports

1 nice feature is the Rol call section--1 can find people that will be on the same cruise as you. 1 great thing about that is many people set up their own private tours...and they are usually better, less $$$ and less people on the tour than what the ship offers!! We did the Med this past May/June and joined a few tours others had set up, and started my own as well, and others joined us!

Here is your Roll Call: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1656330

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?s=5d9f4537b80786513d12756ba0fe36be&f=35

Royal Carib forum http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?s=5d9f4537b80786513d12756ba0fe36be&f=83

And you will find plenty of info on the outbreak on the above forum!

We wipe everything down in our cabin upon arrival.(only certain wipes are effective against the noro virus) And wash and wash and wash your hands!! And when I say wash your hands, really scrub and do it for about 20 seconds (or sing happy bday to urself,lol) Have a good cruise

that's one reason we never think about a cruise...the ships have gotten way too big! when I vacation, it's NOT with 3000 other people in an enclosed space!

I must admit I'd sure like to escape the cold and snow, though!

I hate to be a downer, but 3000 plus people in a relatively small area, all breathing the same circulated air is a recipe for illness. I will stay home in the -18 temps.

These ships are huge, and lots of room. You are enclosed in some area, but you have your decks, for walking, putt putt, swimming, lounging, your own private balcony.

There are good and bad points, but for me, for the most part, all are GOOD! and I'll continue to go as I have been :o)

28 years and still cruising!

It's the people that don't abide by the health rules and that's why people get sick.

If you are out and about on a ship, they are constantly cleaning.

Were not cruise people either, but have done 2--Alaska and the Med and had a great time. Ships are big, an dyes lots of people, still plenty of private space! We are not a very social couple, lol and do quite well!

We just returned from a 42-day cruise on a Holland America ship with 1250 passengers. Just about the right size. We did have a few days when there were extra staff around the ship squeezing the hand sanitizer into everyone's hands, you almost had to fight them off. I knew it was getting bad when they would not allow jigsaw puzzles to be out (too many people just touching and then moving on).

One must also remember that it is not always the passengers who are the ones who move the virus about the ship, there are plenty of staff members who can do it, too.

And, I second the idea of getting on Cruise Critic; I have been on that forum for many years and I always am seeing something that I did not know before - and that is after 25 cruises.

Jim

airforceguy, welcome to the KT! Love and appreciate your input. I did checkout the website you recommended.

Jim, I'm catching up with you :0) Upcoming cruise this weekend will be my 20th. Traveling with 42. Some I have traveled with multi times. Fun fun fun.

My next one is April 6, transatlantic on Holland, with a deluxe veranda, for 17 days, ending in Barcelona, 3 days, then fly back the 23rd.

I'm 74 and feel blessed, being single, that I have traveled as much as I have and hopefully, if health holds out, I'll do more. We'll see.

My favorite of all trips was an African safari with the local zoo director.

Just read that at least 564 passengers and 47 crew members are now sick on that cruise. Glenda, I certainly hope that your ship doesn't suffer the same fate!

I thought hand sanitizer does nothing to kill the norovirus? I thought you needed to us bleach based chemicals to kill it?
Joann

Glenda, I'm sure you will be fine. My father and brother were just on a ship that had had a lot of sick people on the cruise before theirs. They said the ship was sanitized, and crew members (wearing gloves) served the food at the buffets, rather than allowing passengers exposure to the food. Sadly, there is no sure way to prevent exposure to bad germs...unless you want to live in a sterile bubble. Actually, the plane ride is more unhealthy than the cruise, IMO.

Have a wonderful time, and please share pictures when you return! My father and brother have been on almost 60 cruises, and they still love them!

Virus are very different from bacteria and a lot harder to kill (even with bleach). They replicate by taking over your body cells and making them little virus factories. My husband is of the opinion it is spread by the cruise ships water system and I am beginning to believe that is so. Just think about the huge tanks, all the fittings and miles of piping that would have to be completely sanitized. And there is no way to avoid using the water system, even if you carried on your own drinking water that still leaves showers, toothbrushing, washing of dishes and cooking. I don't have a good reason or explanation why some get it and some don't. FWIW.

I have been here for a LONG time,lol I just rarely post!

Yes, only certain solutions/wipes are effective against the noro virus. You can google to find the results. I can't recall the wipes we bought! I found a few on Amazon

Why do some people get sick and other don't? Better immune systems--some take better care of themselves--and wash their hands properly. I'm a RN and watch people wash their hands--many just get their hands wet, little soap, lather for like 3 seconds and done! You need to really lather up and work it,lol And keep ur hands away from ur face!! When walking up and down the stairs, if possible don't touch the rails----and for sure then don't touch ur face!! Even doing it al properly won't totally eliminate the risks, but will sure help out!

No backing out, too late!

I'm almost packed!

Boarding pass printed, luggage tags.

Just hope for the best!

Glenda,
Bon Voyage!!

Have fun Glenda...Honestly for those who have never been on a cruise, most of the time you would never know there are that many people around or on the ship. The dining rooms get a little full when it is straight up noon or dinner time but I have never been anywhere on a ship that I had to fight for a place to sit...

I hear the that many people crowded into a small space but the ships are so huge that you never realize that so many people are on board...