Thread: Suspected Norovirus outbreak on Liberty of the Seas sailing

Royal Caribbean International reported that 200 passengers on its newest ship, the Liberty of the Seas, experienced gastrointestinal illness thought to be a Norovirus on the May 26 Caribbean sailing from Miami.

Royal Caribbean said that the illness was thought to be brought onboard by a guest previously exposed to it. It affected 5% of the ship's 3,846 passengers.

The subsequent cruise left Miami five hours late on June 2 so that Royal Caribbean could carry out enhanced cleaning procedures and protocols, as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the line said.

The infected journey of the Liberty of the Seas left Miami on May 26, and called in San Juan; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Labadee, Haiti. The ship returned to Miami June 2, as scheduled. In addition to the 200 passengers, 12 of the ship's 1,425 crew members were also affected, Royal Caribbean said, and all of those affected by the illness responded well to over-the-counter medication administered onboard the ship.

The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program said that Royal Caribbean undertook the following actions to respond to the outbreak:

• Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures; delayed the subsequent voyage's embarkation to implement additional cleaning and disinfection procedures; and staffed the subsequent voyage with addition crew to clean and disinfect the ship during the voyage.
  
  
• Sent senior environmental health staff to the ship for additional support.
  
  
• Notified oncoming passengers about the illness.
  
  
• Provided daily updates about the illness to the VSP and will continue to do so until the number of ill people returns to expected levels.

Royal Caribbean added that it took the following additional steps to control and eradicate transmission of the illness:

• Implemented a three-stage illness prevention program, which outlines specific, heightened sanitation procedures for crew members, from the captain to housekeepers.
  
  
• Used special cleaning products and disinfectants to clean throughout its ships.
  
  
• Conducted special cleaning of all "high-touch" areas on the ship, including, but not limited to, countertops; restroom and vanity surfaces; door handles, railings and grab bars; exercise equipment; TV remote controls; light switches; elevator buttons; and computer keyboards.
  
  
• Brought on three additional doctors and three additional nurses to the ship, bringing the total number of doctors onboard to five, along with six nurses.

I'm sure this has been asked/answered before, but if you show signs of a gastrointestinal virus, do they quarantine you?

Originally Posted by sweet angel

I'm sure this has been asked/answered before, but if you show signs of a gastrointestinal virus, do they quarantine you?

Yes, you remain in your cabin.

Originally Posted by MD11F

Yes, you remain in your cabin.

Also, any others booked in your cabin.

Just another fine reason to wash your hands frequently!

On our last cruise, I used the facilities before we were able to get into our cabin on sailing day, and don't ya know, a lady? walked right out of the potty and right out the door. Yuck

I always use the alcohol hand sanitizers...hmmm, deja vu? this has been the topic of discussion before, lol...

My daughter and I always use the hand sanitizers...soap and water will also work...but the water needs to be hot, and most of the bathrooms, public ones, don't get hot water...lol...

Back to the nursing days....friction, hot water and soap....

I always have the sanitizer with me though....

I thought I had heard YEARS ago that water didn't have to be hot to get your hands clean. Or maybe that just pertained to laundry.

Originally Posted by hanna

On our last cruise, I used the facilities before we were able to get into our cabin on sailing day, and don't ya know, a lady? walked right out of the potty and right out the door. Yuck

I saw a lot of men use the restrooms on the Crown Princess and Costa Magica, and did not wash their hands either. This will always happen because many people make that a habit in their daily lives on land.

I was taught to always wash my hands after using the restroom at home and outside.

Originally Posted by LuLu

Also, any others booked in your cabin.

That is correct LuLu, I forgot to add that very important piece of info.