Norovirus on board – is it all the cruise lines fault?

Within the last two weeks it has been reported that passengers and crew members on board 3 cruise ships: Majesty of the Seas, Norwegian Star and most recently the Explorer of the Seas have been experiencing  gastrointestinal illnesses whilst on board.  This type of illness isn’t just a cruise line virus,  but  will spread quickly when there are many people within a small space  and can be found in places such as nursing homes, hotels, restaurants and even hospitals.  Its just the Cruise line incidents happen to hit the headlines more.

I have read lots of various comments and points of view this week with regards to how a cruise ship becomes contaminated with the Norovirus and was surprised to see how 98% of the comments were blaming the cruise ships fully for the outbreaks on board.  Whilst the cruise line is  held responsible – the passengers on board could also be to blame.  How many people when they check-in lie on the medical declaration form and say they are fully fit to travel but know they have been/are ill? They just don’t want to declare this as they may be in confinement for first couple of days or if serious be denied boarding.

I have been lucky enough never to have experienced this first hand – however have been on the sailing after there had been an outbreak and the ship was deep cleaned before anyone was allowed to board.  I have had guests on board who have been unfortunate to contract the Norovirus and been confined to their cabins – with meals being brought to them and just the TV for entertainment. If you try to disembark on a port day as you are feeling better but haven’t received medical clearance from the doctor on board – an alarm will sound when you scan your seapass and then security refuse you disembarkation.

On my sailing (after the outbreak) the Cruise Line had cleaning staff more prominent on deck and in every public toilet. Its amazing how many people use the toilet and then don’t wash their hands !! The cleaners had to keep reminding the passengers to do this  – surely this is just basic hygiene? I have also seen first hand people refuse to use the hand sanitizers which are placed at every restaurant, bar, theatre and public room entrances. All the bar menus had been removed, the Martini Bar (might have given away the cruise line i was on) was not allowed to be iced up at all during our voyage.

My tips for trying to remain healthy on board (not a fool proof plan to not contract the norovirus) are: 1) Wash hands after going to the toilet,  2) Use the paper towels provided in the public toilets to open the doors with, 3) use the hand Sanitizers provided when entering all public areas, after 5 times you need to rewash your hands and this will then becomes ineffective, 4) take your own dettol wipes and wipe down the handles and areas within your cabin,  5) When taking the stairs (and when safe to do so) do not use the rails to hold on to , 6) In the lifts use your jumper sleeves to press the buttons , 7) If you do feel ill at anytime call the medical centre on board.

Once there is an outbreak on board then the ship does increase its cleaning regime and on the sailing I was on, in the evening you had men in white suits spraying all the stair cases and public areas (we used to call them the bug sprayers).

Have any of you been unlucky enough to contract the virus whilst on board a cruise and what happened to you? Have you any other tips to add to my list?