Attention: Norovirus suspicions
Cruise News
One of the most recent travel headlines these days is based on the suspicion surrounding the presence of norovirus on Explorer of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International.
An occurrence as such can turn out to be very uncomfortable for people enquiring on a highly anticipated cruise. While some would find it relevant to blame the organizers, the most probable scenario is that one of the passengers has brought the stomach bug with him aboard. The standard procedure does ask the guests to fill a survey concerning their health in which they are asked of any symptoms related to vomiting and diarrhea within the 48 hours prior to their embarking.
However, the blame is often set on the organizers rather than on the people bearing the guilt, which are less likely to come forward. The most important aspect, which some of these people tend to ignore, is that a cruise in which they enquire while experiencing such symptoms will not be the vacation they have dreamed of but rather a nightmare at sea.
Not to mention that the fuss surrounding the subject can have negative repercussions on cruise service providers, as some news websites give negative feedback for the agencies in order to promote the “sensational” rather than the relevant.
You might come across titles like:
“In the last two weeks, two cruise liners have seen their elegant guests turned into diarrhea zombies trapped aboard floating tins of squalor.” – The Wire
“Caribbean Cruise Ends After 600 Sail Into The Poopmuda Triangle.” - Gothamist
In response to this, The Cruise Lines International Association has launched the official numbers surrounding the issue.
During 2013 there have been 7 outbreaks of the norovirus, with a total number of 1,238 passengers who suffered from this affliction. This number may seem serious but if you take into account the total number of passengers in 2012, the 10.1 million passengers will make the prior 1,238 dim into an approximately 0.10% (2013 precise figures coming soon).
This type of illness has to be signaled before entering the U.S., the Vessel Sanitation Program being required to track the outbreaks.
The general advice is to follow the guidelines indicated by your cruise organizers and if you are feeling sick before boarding just remember that going out at sea is only going to make matters worse. Not to mention it could ruin other people’s holiday as well.
An occurrence as such can turn out to be very uncomfortable for people enquiring on a highly anticipated cruise. While some would find it relevant to blame the organizers, the most probable scenario is that one of the passengers has brought the stomach bug with him aboard. The standard procedure does ask the guests to fill a survey concerning their health in which they are asked of any symptoms related to vomiting and diarrhea within the 48 hours prior to their embarking.
However, the blame is often set on the organizers rather than on the people bearing the guilt, which are less likely to come forward. The most important aspect, which some of these people tend to ignore, is that a cruise in which they enquire while experiencing such symptoms will not be the vacation they have dreamed of but rather a nightmare at sea.
Not to mention that the fuss surrounding the subject can have negative repercussions on cruise service providers, as some news websites give negative feedback for the agencies in order to promote the “sensational” rather than the relevant.
You might come across titles like:
“In the last two weeks, two cruise liners have seen their elegant guests turned into diarrhea zombies trapped aboard floating tins of squalor.” – The Wire
“Caribbean Cruise Ends After 600 Sail Into The Poopmuda Triangle.” - Gothamist
In response to this, The Cruise Lines International Association has launched the official numbers surrounding the issue.
During 2013 there have been 7 outbreaks of the norovirus, with a total number of 1,238 passengers who suffered from this affliction. This number may seem serious but if you take into account the total number of passengers in 2012, the 10.1 million passengers will make the prior 1,238 dim into an approximately 0.10% (2013 precise figures coming soon).
This type of illness has to be signaled before entering the U.S., the Vessel Sanitation Program being required to track the outbreaks.
The general advice is to follow the guidelines indicated by your cruise organizers and if you are feeling sick before boarding just remember that going out at sea is only going to make matters worse. Not to mention it could ruin other people’s holiday as well.
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