Cruising: LBYM. NOT.

[unclemick]

Must be that time of year - got three Princess cruise brochures in the last two days(with snow on the ground) - Europe, Canada!!, and Mexican(Pacific side) with a big bucks one to Hawaii out of LA.

Went in 2006 - second on 25 years.

They are trying to make me feel bad about February in Kansas City! They don't know what a cheap SOB I really am. Still - never say never - I did renew my Passport.

heh heh heh -

[TromboneAl]

Is there an elephant in the room that no one is talking about: noroviruses.

Is this a concern? We had friends who were on a cruise that had an outbreak, and it was like martial law had been declared.

[Notmuchlonger]

Originally Posted by TromboneAl

Is there an elephant in the room that no one is talking about: noroviruses.

Is this a concern? We had friends who were on a cruise that had an outbreak, and it was like martial law had been declared.

Ive only heard of one cruise having that problem in the news. Is it a major problem that happens all the time?

[Rich_in_Tampa]

Originally Posted by TromboneAl

Is there an elephant in the room that no one is talking about: noroviruses.

I think Norwalk virus (recently viewed as a subset of noroviruses, as you mention) is always a possible risk but seems to be less troublesome with current precautions. There are Purell dispensers everywhere (though no one really knows if it works), and soapy hand washing or such disinfectants reduce your risk of illness by close to half. I don't consider it a show-stopper risk, and then there's travelers' diarrhea in central america and elsewhere; I acquired giardiasis in Jamaica years ago.

I carry a small bottle of hand disinfectant, avoid touching bannisters and door handles (or disinfect after I do) and so far so good. A couple of packets of rehydration stuff in the suitcase is probably not a bad idea.

[tightasadrum]

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

I think Norwalk virus (recently viewed as a subset of noroviruses, as you mention) is always a possible risk but seems to be less troublesome with current precautions. There are Purell dispensers everywhere (though no one really knows if it works), and soapy hand washing or such disinfectants reduce your risk of illness by close to half. I don't consider it a show-stopper risk, and then there's travelers' diarrhea in central america and elsewhere; I acquired giardiasis in Jamaica years ago.

I carry a small bottle of hand disinfectant, avoid touching bannisters and door handles (or disinfect after I do) and so far so good. A couple of packets of rehydration stuff in the suitcase is probably not a bad idea.

OK, spoil my fun. I have a cruise planned next fall on NCL. Now I'll have to defend against the invisibles.

Most of my cruises were on grey ships with large white numbers.

A few years ago we cruised with some friends to Mexico and back to FL. Had the kids along too which added a little stress due to their ages, early teens. It brought back some nice memories of being at sea. I think I enjoyed the 2-day return at sea the most. I kept thinking the messenger would come to inform me that it was time for my bridge watch, but he never did. I'll admit I was a little disappointed. The Mexico ports didn't do much for me. Oh, and I took the ferry from Alaska to British Columbia on my Alaska epic if that counts. This fall we pick up the NCL ship in Barcelona and cruise to Naples and some other ports south of there. We'll be with several other crazy couples for over a week. It should be fun, except for those invisible bugs...

[unclemick]

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

A couple of packets of rehydration stuff in the suitcase is probably not a bad idea.

Let me confess my ignorance - what are rehydration packets and what's in them?

heh heh heh - ?

[KM]

Our Panama Canal cruise (RCL) had a small outbreak and they basically shut down the "self-serve" buffet and had all dining staff on hand to serve people. We, ourselves, never got sick. That is the only time we saw a problem.

On Celebrity, we were not allowed to serve ourselves at the buffet anyway - they always had serving staff.

I think the "open-buffets" are probably a large contributor to the problem. Many people try to avoid them by eating dining room only. But I have heard of some of these people getting sick also. Using a handrail, etc. is an easy way to pick something up. From what I understand, if you go to the infirmary, they will quarantine you. A lot of people choose to just take care of themselves, so they avoid the quarantine - which may just make the problem worse - depending on how much they are taking care of themselves.

You definitely want to keep washing your hands, using the Purell (bring your own also) and always check your glasses, silverware, and dishes before you eat. More than once I found a coffee cup with lipstick on it. We reported it, only to find another one the next day.

All in all, it would not stop me from cruising.

[simple girl]

Originally Posted by TromboneAl

Is there an elephant in the room that no one is talking about: noroviruses.

Is this a concern? We had friends who were on a cruise that had an outbreak, and it was like martial law had been declared.

We had an outbreak on our cruise. They made you spray your hands with antibacterial stuff before eating and upon returning from excursions. They also stopped self-serve at the buffet. I carried my own hand disinfectant that I used frequently. It wasn't a big deal to me, but I didn't get sick.

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Originally Posted by unclemick

Let me confess my ignorance - what are rehydration packets and what's in them?

We could tell ya, but then we'd have to kill ya.

Basically dried gatorade. Electrolytes and all that other magic stuff.

[unclemick]

Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny

We could tell ya, but then we'd have to kill ya.

Basically dried gatorade. Electrolytes and all that other magic stuff.

Definitely like your version better than the UNICEF formula for infants(kids) I Googled up.

Poor guys - you would think they would put some flavor in there or something.

heh heh heh - but I guess it isn't medicine otherwise - the old it's gotta taste bad to be good??

[Rich_in_Tampa]

This, for example.

[unclemick]

Wow - I'm begining to be sorry I asked - the Pepsi I'm drinking is starting to taste funny.

But thanks for the info. I can buy CeraLyte without a prescription?

heh heh heh - no immediate plans to cruise, although learning toward Alaska this summer.

[Nords]

Originally Posted by TromboneAl

Is this a concern? We had friends who were on a cruise that had an outbreak, and it was like martial law had been declared.

Only if they find out from you that you're sick. The healthy people get to continue moving around the ship and it has that many fewer passengers out & about.

And you won't get sick if you're using the hand sanitizers and taking normal precautions like not putting your fingers in your nose or eyes, not licking the sneeze shield at the buffet, not kissing the other passengers...

Drinking plenty of alcohol might help kill the virus too.

[FlogBlogger]

I understand the hand wipes have proven more effective than disinfectant only...some ships have switched to the wipes. Downside is, they seem to run out and don't get immediately replenished.

Favorite cruise of my twenty? For the shipboard amenities, Celebrity Century-class ships. For the destination, hands-down it's the Yangzte River...and LBYM-qualified (at least in non-Olympic years).

[cute fuzzy bunny]

I just read a thing that said the hand disinfectants are helpful but not compellingly so. Some guessing that the bad bugs get under fingernails, jewelry, or places where the gel or wipes isnt applied.

But they're still SOME help.

All I know is that when following a 3 year old around to chuck-e-cheese, indoor parks and kids play areas at restaurants results in getting sick at least twice a month in the wintertime. No matter how much gel you hose everyone down with.

[Rich_in_Tampa]

OK, I wasn't going to inflict this on this innocent board, but...

Viral diarrhea (among other diseases) is transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route. Yes, you arch-enemies knew of what they spoke if they told you to eat s!@#. Years ago, some clever and very bored microbiologist decided to test this theory by having patients in the hospital swallow a pill containing a small bit of a chemical which lit up under UV light (like those old "invisible" hand stamps that amusement parks used to stamp on your hand for admission). They were very strict to make sure that the dose was given under controlled conditions.

Then they immediately checked the room and assured that no stuff was to be found. But 12 and then 24 hours later, the place was covered with, well, stuff that glowed. It was on the walls, the nurses' uniforms, doctors' stethoscopes, eventually working its way to the nurses station via the charts. Long story short, the stuff has legs.

And on that lovely visual, I bid you all good night.

[megacorp-firee]

Originally Posted by Art G

I've noticed the cruises have gotten more affordable, but the ammenities have definitely decreased.

True. The number of and quality of the midnight buffets definately have gone down. 1st few cruises, it was every night and a magnificent spread.

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

And on that lovely visual, I bid you all good night.

May I add "and dont ever take a black light into your bathroom"?

[Nords]

Originally Posted by megacorp-firee

True. The number of and quality of the midnight buffets definately have gone down.

When I had a midnight buffet it was usually enroute the midwatch. Don't miss either one...

[Jeb-NY]

Well not sure I would use LBYM and Cruise in the same thread, the NOT in the subject seems to have been ignored.

Never been on a cruise and had no interest, but for our big 35th anniversary a few years ago I offered to take the DW on a cruise. I suggested a New England/Canada Cruise since we both love New England. Luckily the wife, that is at least as cheap, I mean frugal as I am looked at the prices and said lets do a New England road trip instead. Got off for under $1000 for the whole week and that include some form of lobster every day once we hit the coast. I think I'll keep her.

Jeb