Sea Princess to return to Southampton early - Page 2 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Cat Woman · 06-02-2006, 07:49 AM

I just found out about this latest Norovirus outbreak from my uncle in England.

Correct me if I'm wrong (which isn't too often

), this outbreak is the 2nd one on this ship in recent weeks. If this is true, the ship should be pulled for an extensive disinfecting. That would mean that some people will lose their vacation, and I wouldn't be happy about that, but I'd rather go another time than get sick.

PagodaSwan · 06-04-2006, 12:51 PM

This highlights what most of us already know, there are some passengers who will not follow strict hygene regimes or stay in their cabins when asked to do so....

Quote:

A crew member of a cruise ship struck by a vomiting virus is hitting back at comments made by passengers who claimed they had "a holiday from hell".

The Sea Princess docked in Southampton a day early after more than 200 passengers caught the Norovirus.

Many of them were angry after having been stuck in their cabins for much of the seven-day European tour.

But one staff member said passengers had grossly over exaggerated the conditions onboard.

The man, who does not want to be identified, told BBC News that the crew is highly trained to deal with a virus outbreak.

But he said some passengers had ignored the warnings and requests of the crew to stay in their cabins to stop the spread of the virus.

He said: "But unfortunately people ignored this (the instructions) and continued to roam around the ship.

"I have noted people who have gone to the rest rooms and not washed their hands and gone directly to the buffet line."

Refund offered

He added: "When something like this goes wrong it puts everyone in turmoil, not just the passengers but the officers and crew.

"We are concerned. It is not a case of we can't be bothered.

"Unfortunately, some people are just negative and they like to make it sound worse than it was.

"It was not a cruise from hell, absolutely to the contrary."

A 30% refund has been offered to the 2,258 passenger but many of the reacted angrily as the left the ship on Friday, calling for a full refund.

The Sea Princess set off on her next cruise on Saturday afternoon after being disinfected.

(BBC)

LuLu · 06-04-2006, 01:57 PM

Thanks for keeping us updated on this! Being on a "Sick Ship" is no fun even for those NOT infected ... changes the whole tone of the ship!

Will be interested in hearing how the NEXT sailing goes!

We are booked on Sea Princess ... but, not until January!

MD11F · 06-04-2006, 05:05 PM

People not washing their hands after using the restrooms(toilets) is a common practice in the US too. It's a sure way of spreading a disease. Since this virus is caused by fecal comtamination either by contact on hands while using the toilets or by raw sewage dumped into the sea and seafood not being washed properly, washing is very important.
If I were on a cruise where more than half of the trip was complete and I got a 30% refund, I'd be happy, but there's never a happy medium for a lot of people. They ignored the warnings and requests to remain in their cabins in an effort by the crew to isolate he problem so it dosen't spread any further.