Thread: 300 reported illnesses on Explorer of the Seas

Just heard on NBC news that RCI has confirmed 300 cases of stomach illnesses on the Explorer of the Seas. RCI believes that a virus was brought onboard by a passenger. The illness has affected both passengers and crew.

Bummer.

LL

YUK!!! I feel bad for them!!!

Thanks George.............sorry to hear that obviously..........this is one of my peeves.........I guess we need to know........but I wonder if we need to report this when it goes through our offices every winter.......or the Edmond School System

I was afraid you were going to say Mariner...........not that it would matter........it still is bad if you are the one sick.

It is very important to anyone sailing in the next couple of weeks on the Explorer to take precautions. Lots of handwashing, For all the antibacterial handwashes out there, soap and water are still the best defense!!

it would be a non-story anywhere else, but I was glad to see that the story was attributed to RCI, rather than some disgruntled passenger...

We all know that the close quarters of a cruise ship can amplify the affects of an illness, but we have also seen the extraordinary efforts taken by the cruise line to maintain a safe, clean environment. I still feel safe, and wash my hands frequently!

Geo

Originally Posted by sue miller

It is very important to anyone sailing in the next couple of weeks on the Explorer to take precautions. Lots of handwashing, For all the antibacterial handwashes out there, soap and water are still the best defense!!

Recently I learned at work that through a study they found the "waterless" hand washing did a better job removing bacteria than soap and water washing for the prescribed time. (I am a nurse). We have what they have on Princess at the start of the buffet. I use it faithfully!

Me too!! We had the pumps everywhere, can't always get to a sink fast enough!!

I agree that it is good to see that RCI is reporting it.
I also agree with Jim about how common this is in all public places.
300 out of over 3,000 is not very many, (unless you are one of them)

When using the buffet, I tend to go back and hit the sanitizer again after using the serving utensils .

Seeing reports like this reminds me how important it is to wash those hands and use that sanitizer. I was a bit lax on our last cruise ... no problems, but it is sure a good idea to constantly wash or sanitize your hands! We like to bring a can of Lysol to spray down the cabin with too. You never know who was in there the week before. I know that they clean them, but it doesn't hurt to do your own sanitizing.

Not to diminish the use of hand sanitizers, but,
the Noro Virus is a Virus. The hand sanitizers
are anti-Bacterial and have little effect on a Virus.
Hand washing is still the best preventive measure
and bandaids on any small cuts, especially on the hands,
as that is an easy route for germs entering the body.

Reggie