Cruise Ship Report for Sept. 2007 -- News for Cruisers
Regent Says It Has Paid Price for New Cruise Ship Smoking Policy
Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which intends to make all cruise ship staterooms and their private balconies nonsmoking by the end of the year, said it has lost an estimated $3 million in bookings since announcing its new policy.
The luxury cruiseline two months ago unveiled the changes in its nonsmoking policy, declaring that smoking not only presents "a fire hazard, but ... the smoke, or its odor, invades surrounding suites, balconies and public areas, creating discomfort for the guests in these areas."
Royal Caribbean has also announced changes to its non-smoking policy as of Jan. 1, extending nonsmoking areas to cruise ship staterooms on most of its ships but continuing to allow smokers to light up on their private balconies.
One of the major complaints of non-smokers is they often are driven from balconies -- for which they pay extra -- by smokers on adjacent balconies.
Mark Conroy, president of Regent, said his line looked for "ways to accommodate both our guests who are smokers and those who are not" and could not find a practical solution that continued to allow smoking on balconies without impacting nonsmokers.
"Smokers are very welcome on our ships, and I think they will find the restrictions we put in place no more draconian than what they face in everyday life," Conroy told the Ventura (CA) County Star.
But he conceded that the new policy had resulted in about $3 million in cancelled bookings "particularly on the world cruise, where we had a core of loyal customers who were heavy smokers."
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Fewer places for you to smoke on cruise ships
August 14, 2007
By Tom Stieghorst | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Ahh, the sea. The briny scent. The crisp breezes. The cloud of secondhand smoke.
While the rest of the hospitality industry has cracked down on smoking, cruise ships remain an exception, at least in parts of almost every ship.
But as new policies at two major lines show, the cruise industry is slowly dimming the smoking lamp.
Royal Caribbean International recently announced that starting in January, smoking will be banned in passenger cabins, making it the largest line to adopt that policy. Norwegian Cruise Line last month began tightening up, too. A few smaller lines are largely smoke free, and kid-oriented Disney Cruises also bans smoking in staterooms.
While smoking has gradually been snuffed on airline flights, restaurants and many hotel chains, the cruise industry has lagged or two reasons: It caters to a large base of passengers outside North America, where smoking is more accepted and prevalent. And groups, a key part of the business, don't book nonsmoking venues if even one member of the group would be excluded as a result.
Completely cutting out smoking has its consequences.
When Carnival Cruise Lines made its 2,052-passenger Paradise entirely smoke free in 1998, the ship brought in less revenue than other Carnival ships. Carnival scrapped the ban in 2004.
But the smoking habit continues to recede in the United States, falling from 22.8 percent of adults in 1999 to 20.1 percent last year. So cruise lines are strategically reducing the opportunities to smoke, while doing their best not to alienate the minority of passengers who still indulge.
That works for Florence Schemer, a real estate agent from Jacksonville, who was waiting at Port Everglades on Monday to cruise on Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas.
"I'll come back and go again," said Schemer, a heavy smoker until about 20 years ago. "I wish everything was nonsmoking."
Another firm mending but not ending its mixed smoking policy is Norwegian Cruise Line, which last month further restricted the public areas where tobacco is allowed. Although Norwegian still lets passengers smoke in cabins, the casino and the cigar bar are now the only other permitted indoor smoking areas.
Some outdoor areas near restaurants are also off-limits, a spokeswoman said.
At Royal Caribbean, a new "wellness" theme helped trigger the smoking changes, spokesman Harrison Liu said. An on-board program dubbed Vitality will encourage passengers to take exercise classes, use the spa, pick active shore excursions and learn about healthier eating habits.
"This got some of our executives thinking about the entire cruise experience and trying to bring that in line with our new focus on wellness," Liu said.
So after Jan. 1, passengers on 18 of Royal's 21 ships face a cabin cleaning charge tacked on to their bill if they're discovered smoking in their rooms. Smokers can still light up on cabin balconies, as well as the starboard side of the ship, Liu said.
Tellingly, the three ships temporarily exempt from the new plan all sail in parts of the world where smoking rates are far higher than in the United States. They include the Rhapsody of the Seas, sailing in the Far East, and the Legend and Splendor of the Seas, which are on European itineraries. Those ships won't adopt the new smoking rules until next summer, Liu said.
Although Royal Caribbean said its internal polls show support, not everyone is on board with the new approach.
Katrina Cheathom-Standors, of Chicago, said the change will put off smokers like her. "A lot of the restaurants that don't allow smoking, I don't go to anymore," she said before boarding the Enchantment of the Seas on Monday.
Cheathom-Standors said she picked the Royal Caribbean ship for the special honeymoon suite package, but said she wouldn't have gone if the new policy had been in place. "I would have found someplace else," she said.
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New Cruise Line, Sort Of
May 08, 2007
Royal Caribbean has announced the creation of a new upscale cruise line called Azamara, intended to offer amenities and services somewhere between premium lines like Celebrity and luxury lines like Silversea.
Azamara just launched one ship, which had originally been intended to join the company's Celebrity line, and is expected to launch another in October. The ships are almost identical to the three ships of the Oceania cruise line because all five once belonged to the now-defunct Renaissance cruise line. Not surprisingly, Oceania is expected to be Azamara's main competitor.
The Miami Herald has all the details. And, of course, Cruise Critic already has an Azamara message board.
The board got off to a lively start with complaints that passengers were not informed in advance of the new ship's restrictive smoking policy (just like Oceania's). The smokers are particularly vexed that they will not be permitted to smoke on their own balconies, but some of the non-smokers are delighted.
I'll dive into the topic of smoking on cruise ships when I'm feeling braver. Of course Azamara should fully refund the fare of any smoker who made a reservation in the reasonable expectation that Royal Caribbean's or Celibrity's more permissive policies would prevail on the new ship.
Meanwhile, if you want to know more about the smoking policies of the various cruise lines, Cruise Critic, of course has it covered.
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Read Star Princess cruise ship fire
At Your Service: Cruise Line Smoking Policies: 2006
Nothing fires up some cruise travelers more than the issue of "to smoke ... or not to smoke." Indeed, check out the posts on Cruise Critic's message boards -- but we warn you: put on your oven mitts before you open any thread with "smoking" in the title. It'll be red hot.
This "cruise critic" is a conscientious, considerate smoker. I've recently moved from North Carolina (where smoking is practically the law of the land and restaurants bear signs that say "non-smoking section available") to California (where my habit has rendered me the social equivalent of an avian flu carrier, so quitting is likely in my near future). In the meantime, though, I have been subjected to the wrath and fury of the non-smokers aboard cruise ships, I have traveled on the ships listed here that are the most restrictive, and I often travel with friends and family who don't smoke, further limiting my options.
This issue is so incendiary (pun intended) that smokers often feel bruised and battered and slink away in shame, while non-smokers are often arrogant and self-righteous and ... well, just plain rude. On the other hand, there are non-smokers whose response is to live and let live, and smokers who take the position that "hell, it's still legal, so leave me alone; I'll smoke if I want to."
In the United States, the number of smokers is dropping -- and young people aren't starting to smoke as much as they used to -- but one in four still lights up. (In California, the number is closer to one in seven.) In Europe and Asia, smoking is much more prevalent, although that's changing too. The governments of both Ireland and Italy have recently banned all indoor smoking countrywide. Similar legislation is being considered by France and Great Britain. Still, any ship that sails with a large European or Asian contingent is bound to be smokier than a ship filled with North Americans.
Cruise lines, though, have generally taken a more moderate approach. Renaissance Cruises, an entirely non-smoking line, no longer exists. Carnival's Paradise, which started life as a smoke-free vessel and stayed that way for six years, now allows smoking onboard. Two major cruise lines (Disney and Oceania) have very limiting policies, as do many small-ship "boutique" lines and river cruise vessels. For the major companies, the policies are all similar, and not nearly as restrictive as most non-smokers wish they were.
It's an issue of "spoilage" (the industry's lingo for unsold cabins) that keeps them from dedicating non-smoking rooms on ships. "It would present an inventory mess," says a spokesperson for CLIA, the cruise industry's official trade association. "The cruise lines' yield management people want the ships to sail full at all times; you can't do that if you set aside non-smoking rooms."
We're presenting the policies for you in one neat, tidy package, but first, a couple of pointers:
Most Restrictive: Renaissance Cruises (and its groundbreaking "no smoking anywhere" policies) may now be defunct but the premise is alive and well, to a point, on Oceania Cruises. That cruise line not only is led by Renaissance's former president but also sails with Renaissance's former ships! And while smoking is permitted in two small areas only, its restrictive policies can put the fear of god into even the most obsessive walking chimney.
For instance, get caught smoking in your cabin or on your balcony? Check out this little ditty in the Oceania Cruises Guest Ticket Contract:
"Guests choosing to disregard the policy may be subject to monetary penalties -- up to the fare paid for passage -- that will be imposed to cover the costs associated with the required cleaning of stateroom furnishings, verandas and surrounding deck and accommodation areas. Guests are also kindly reminded that the Master of the vessel reserves the right to disembark any guests, without prior warning, for violation of this policy and said guest(s) shall be responsible for all fees levied by governmental or quasi-governmental authorities, all costs associated with repatriation and vessel's loss of revenues from said forced disembarkation or costs associated with repairs or replacement of furnishings as a result of combustion of accommodation areas found to be caused by said guest(s)."
Don't say you weren't warned.
Least Restrictive: If you are a smoker and want to light up at any time, anywhere, book yourself a Pulmantur vacation. This Spain-based cruise and tour operation runs several cruises in the Mediterranean. You can smoke during your massage, between courses at meals, in the hot tubs, during bingo... All in all you can totally revel, in bliss, pretty much anywhere.
Balconies: Considerate smokers who want to least offend their neighbors should look at getting a balconied stateroom as far aft as possible since the smoke tends to drift back while the ship is underway. Conversely, sensitive non-smokers should look at booking their verandahs as far forward as possible, for the same reason. If that isn't possible, non-smokers need to adjust their balcony-use schedule or just tolerate the smoke.
Public Spaces: Most ships have designated smoking areas, usually on one side or another of the ship. If smoking is permitted on deck on the port side, that's where smokers should go to light up and where non-smokers should avoid sitting. You'd think that's pretty basic, but many a fight has started over cigarette smoke because one side or another is in the "wrong" space. It's important to note that shipboard personnel cannot change policy. They cannot and will not ask someone to stop smoking on their balcony (except on Oceania), for example, but they can and will ask someone to move to a smoking area if they are in one that is clearly non-smoking. Avoid confrontation; let the ship's personnel handle the asking.
And now, on to our line-by-line roundup of policies:
Carnival Cruise Lines
There is no FAQ section on Carnival's Web site detailing smoking policies, but we did find this ominous note in the Contract of Carriage: "(c) Guest acknowledges that Carnival's vessels contain non-smoking sections. Guest agrees to refrain from smoking in those sections and agrees that Carnival has the right to disembark the Guest for failure to observe Carnival's non-smoking policy." Carnival's policy is similar to most cruise line policies: No smoking in the restaurants, no smoking in the theatres and no smoking around the indoor aft pool (on the newer ships) because food is served there. Smoking is permitted on one side in lounges and out on deck, and in cabins.
Celebrity Cruises
There are no non-smoking cabins. Smoking is permitted in designated areas in the bars, lounges, and outside on open decks. All other areas on board Celebrity's ships, including restaurants and theatres, are non-smoking.
Costa Cruises
Smoking is allowed in designated areas in most public rooms onboard. However, smoking is prohibited in the main restaurants and in show lounges. Some of Costa's newer ships have at least one lounge that is entirely non-smoking.
Crystal Cruises
Most areas of Crystal's ships are non-smoking, especially restaurants (though there are designated smoking/non smoking areas in bars and lounges). The Galaxy Lounge, the ships' main production venue, is also smoke-free. Otherwise, pipes and cigars are permitted only in the Connoisseur Club, and on open decks, except all areas of Lido Deck. Pipes and cigars may not be smoked in guest penthouses, in staterooms, on verandahs or in corridors.
Cunard Line
On Queen Mary 2, all restaurants are non-smoking; pipes and cigars are allowed only in Churchill's Cigar Lounge and on open decks. Most lounges and bars offer both smoking and non-smoking areas. On Queen Elizabeth 2, most restaurants have a small smoking section, with the exception of the Princess Grill, which is non-smoking. Pipes and cigars are allowed in the Chart Room, Golden Lion Pub and Crystal Bar. All theatres, elevators and the library aboard each ship are designated non-smoking.
Delta Queen Steamboat Company
Smoking is allowed on open decks on all three steamboats and in staterooms on American Queen and Mississippi Queen. Smoking is not allowed in any indoor public spaces or in cabins on the oldest boat, Delta Queen, because of the filtration system.
Disney Cruises
Second in "most restrictive" only to Oceania, Disney also prohibits smoking in cabins (but does allow puffers to light up on their balcony). Smoking is only allowed in the sports bar and the piano lounge in Beat Street, which has many entertainment rooms for adults. Smoking is allowed on the open deck except around the Mickey Pool and the aft deck where guests dine.
Holland America Line
Smoking is allowed where designated but it's never permitted in restaurants or theatres. Most public spaces have a smoking section on one side only. Pipe and cigar smoking is allowed only in the smoking lounge. There are no non-smoking cabins but Holland America does an air-purifying cleaning so there is no residual odor.
MSC Cruises
Smoking is allowed in cabins and smokers are permitted to light up in some public rooms on the ships' port sides. MSC Cruises allows smoking on the port side only. Smoking is off limits in any dining room or theater.
Norwegian Cruise Line
There are no non-smoking cabins. Smoking is permitted in designated areas in the bars and outside on open decks. All other areas on board NCL's ships are non-smoking.
Oceania Cruises
Smoking is permitted only in a designated section on the aft port side of Horizons, and the starboard forward section of the outdoor Pool Deck. All other areas will remain smoke-free. These include all guest suites and staterooms, verandahs, restaurants, public areas, the casino, and everywhere else on the ship.
Princess Cruises
Smoking is prohibited in show lounges, elevators, dining rooms and all food service areas onboard all Princess ships. Smoking is permitted in passenger staterooms and many public rooms offer both smoking and non-smoking areas. Guests who enjoy pipes or cigars are accommodated in the cigar lounge. Guests are asked to refrain from smoking pipes or cigars in other enclosed public areas of the ship.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
No smoking is allowed in the main show lounge of each ship, plus certain other lounges (e.g. Navigator lounge). Nor is smoking is allowed in any of the specialty/alternate restaurants though there is a smoking section in each of RSSC's main restaurants. Pipe and cigar smoking is only permitted in the Connoisseur Clubs or on open decks. Smoking is allowed in staterooms and on balconies.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
There are no non-smoking cabins. Smoking is permitted in designated areas in the bars and outside on open decks. All other areas onboard RCCL's ships are non-smoking, including elevators and showrooms.
Silversea Cruises
Smoking is allowed in designated spaces in the public lounges, in staterooms and on verandas. There is no smoking in Silversea's restaurants. Pipe and cigar smoking is allowed on the open decks and inside in the cigar bar only.
Windstar Cruises
Cigarette smoking is allowed on the starboard side of the lounges. Pipe and cigar smoking is allowed only on the deck. Smoking is not allowed in the casino on Wind Star or Wind Spirit because of size and the filtration system, but is allowed in the casino aboard Wind Surf. Smoking is not permitted in any restaurants onboard Windstar ships. There are no non-smoking staterooms.
--By San Diego-based Jana Jones, the creator and editor of lodging Web site Sleeping-Around.com, as well as one of Cruise Critic's stalwart ship reviewers.
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Smoke-free ship lacks customers
02/01/2004NEW YORK - Carnival is ending its smoke-free cruises aboard the Paradise.
The 2,052-passenger ship has operated since its introduction in 1998 as a smoke-free vessel, cruising from Miami to the Caribbean with a zero tolerance for cigars and cigarettes among both passengers and crew.
But there were not enough takers to keep the idea going. Carnival had a hard time booking groups aboard the ship, and as a result the Paradise will lose its smoke-free status in September, when it is redeployed to California for cruises from Long Beach to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico.
"We've never understood why it was not successful ... We should've been sailing full," Carnival spokesman Tim Gallagher told the Miami Herald.
If the idea of a smokeless cruise appeals to you, you can still take one of the Paradise's final excursions from Miami, from now through mid-September. The ship leaves Miami on Sundays for one-week trips to various Caribbean destinations. Call 1-800-227-6482 or go to www.carnival.com.
Carnival to Reposition 'Fun Ship' Paradise to Long Beach to Operate Three- and Four-Day Baja Cruises in Oct. 2004
2,052-Passenger SuperLiner to Become West Coast's Newest Short Cruise Option
MIAMI, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Cruise Lines' 2,052-passenger "Fun Ship" Paradise will begin year-round three- and four-day cruises from Long Beach, Calif., in Sept. 20, 2004, becoming the newest cruise ship to ever operate short cruises from the West Coast.
The Paradise assumes this route from the 2,052-passenger Ecstasy, which will be repositioned to Galveston to launch four- and five-day Mexico cruises in Oct. 2004.
"We are very enthused to introduce the Paradise to the West Coast market on three- and four-day Baja cruises," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. "This is a truly elegant, beautifully appointed vessel offering a wide variety of on-board facilities and features, along with stunning interiors that pay homage to the world's most famous ocean liners. The Paradise certainly represents an enticing option for consumers seeking an affordable, quality cruise vacation option from the West Coast."
Dickinson indicated that the Paradise, which has operated since its introduction in 1998 as a smoke-free vessel, will no longer retain that designation. "When we analyzed our redeployment strategy, the Paradise, based on its size and attributes, was the obvious choice to offer a fresh new short cruise alternative from California. And, with only one ship operating that program, we could not limit it to non-smokers," he said.
No matter what the antis claim, the one thing they can't change is the free market effect. Carnival are fortunate to have the option of catering to the demands of a free market. Increasingly pubs and bars are being denied that opportunity as a result of nanny-like smoking by-laws. Copnsequently, the pub and bar industry is being driven to its knees.
Barry F.McKay
General Manager
Pub and Bar Coalition of Canada (PUBCO)
Ottawa
1-866-314-2176
Celebrity Cruises Inc.
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
celebrity.com
Celebrity Escape.
Cruises exclusively for adult guests.
Every now and then, grown-ups need a little getaway of their own, and what better way to truly relax than on a Celebrity Escape cruise - where all of the guests are over the age of 21. It's for parents who need a vacation from parenting, and for guests who like to cruise without children on board.
OVER 200 PASSENGERS ILL ON ANOTHER CRUISE SHIP, NORWALK-LIKE VIRUS SUSPECTED
December 15, 2002
CP Wire
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Carnival Cruise Lines was cited as saying that more than
200 guests on the cruise ship Carnival Conquest reported symptoms of a
gastrointestinal illness on a voyage that ended Sunday.
The company said it was treating the illness as a Norwalk-like virus, the
same type of illness that has sickened hundreds of passengers on other
cruise ships in recent months.
The Conquest had left New Orleans on Dec. 8 with 3,160 passengers.
I read the news article on Carnival. It sounds like the passengers were infected with the same thing that I caught in Puerto Vallarta several years ago.
We were staying at the Playa de Oro and went to the resort's beach party. The resort had hired many outside unemployed people from town for the evening, not the regular hotel staff. I ate fresh fruit at the party. I developed all the same symptoms, learned later that I had lost seven pounds in three days. It was like I was being wrung out from my middle--I couldn't even keep water down, but I didn't want to ruin the vacation. I was so weak when we finally got home that my mother had to take my samples to our local hospital. I was told I had contracted Trichinosis from some food server who hadn't washed their hands. I was almost hospitalized for dehydration. The irony was that my doctor prescribed 500 gm Ampicillin, and we had bunches of the antibiotic in our suitcases (purchased in Mexico, over the counter) the whole time I was sick.
It sounds like Carnival used local help at some party and the guests were infected. Carnival is receiving poetic justice. They tried to create an image showing excess concern about their passengers' health, while they should have exerted more concern in screening their food handlers in advance or become more observant their employees state of health.
INSIDE EDITION INVESTIGATES SANITARY CONDITIONS AND TESTS FOR ILLNESS-CAUSING
MICROORGANISMS ON A LUXURY CRUISE LINER
Prompted by recent outbreaks of Norwalk Virus on cruise ships, which have sickened thousands of travelers, Inside Edition boarded one of the afflicted ships, Carnival Cruise Lines' Fascination, to evaluate sanitary conditions onboard. Inside Edition sailed in December 2002, just ten days after more than 200 passengers and crewmembers were stricken, to observe sanitary procedures first hand and test for potentially illness causing bacteria. On a report scheduled to air today, Thursday, January 30, Inside Edition’s Senior Investigative Correspondent, Matt Meagher reports that passengers were not given information about the previous outbreak nor warned about procedures to avoid exposure to the virus.
David Nash Ph.D., founder of the American Food Safety Institute, accompanied Inside Edition aboard the ship. He was at first, very impressed. The kitchen seemed spotless and the Fascination's crew worked hard to keep the ship clean. But Dr. Nash was disturbed by a number of things Inside Edition observed on board, burgers not served hot, a stateroom vanity with visible dirt, and a curly black hair in a dessert. Bartenders repeatedly handled barware and drink ingredients with bare hands, some soap dispensers in public bathrooms were empty, and Nash says there was mold on an ice dispenser. “You don't have to look so hard to see some pretty unsanitary conditions,” Nash concluded.
Inside Edition also employed the services of an independent testing facility, HML Laboratories in Indiana, to test for illness-causing microorganisms. Inside Edition collected and tested 18 food samples, 2 water samples and one food contact surface. The findings: out of the 21 samples, two tested positive for a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that can cause food poisoning. Four tested positive for E. coli, and three for fecal streptococcus. The report however takes note of the fact that the water samples were satisfactory and all samples were free of Salmonella and Listeria, which also can cause food poisoning.
The Fascination passed its last official sanitation inspection by the Centers for Disease Control in July 2002. But Inside Edition learned the CDC inspections are done in port, sometimes with no passengers on board. Nash believes inspections should always take place at sea, when ships are filled with passengers. Nash says what Inside Edition found is worse than he would expect from many restaurants and adds a cruise ship, where people are in close contact for an extended period of time, should be held to a much higher standard
Carnival officials said that the temperatures recorded by Dr. Nash are not violations of U.S. sanitation or food codes. Carnival also questioned Dr. Nash’s expertise on cruise ship sanitation. The company told Inside Edition, “Food handling and sanitation is strictly and effectively monitored by the CDC” and said its fleet has “a positive CDC record and our ships provide one of the cleanest and most sanitary vacations environments available.” The company also said the inspections are so intensive and detailed few restaurants would be able to pass them.
Diarrhea
Olestra
Annual deaths from diarrhea illnesses is in the millions.
Cholera
E. coli
Hepatitis
Listeria
noroviruses
rotaviruses
Salmonellosis
SARS
Cruise ships hosted at least 23 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness during 2002.
Timeline
1981 Interview with Steven Spielberg: "[Harrison] Ford developed dysentery in the blistering 130 degree heat of Tunisia, where the cast and crew had to fan their mouths constantly to keep out flies looking for shade (one crawled into chief villain Paul Freeman's mouth during a crucial scene). Too weak to swing his whip, Indy was slated for a three and a half page fight when Ford had a better idea. 'We had Indy pull out his revolver and dispatch the dude,' says Spielberg of the film's funniest scene."
26 Dec 1995 In a medical study entitled "Measurement of Selected Fecal Parameters in Subjects Consuming Increasing Levels Of Olestra," the Food and Drug Administration concludes that there is a "need to have a clear, informative label on all olestra-containing products."
1996 The Food and Drug Administration allows Procter & Gamble to use the fat substitute Olestra in its food products, as long as they bear a warning about diarrhea and stomach cramps.
May 2002 A norovirus afflicts 100 people at a London hospital.
23 Nov 2002 The Magic, a Disney Cruise ship, begins a week-long decontamination process designed to rid it of the highly-contagious Norwalk virus.
30 Nov 2002 The Magic, a Disney Cruise ship, docks in Port Canaveral, Florida after 218 of the vessel's 3,400 passengers and crew were afflicted with the highly-contagious Norwalk virus.
2 Dec 2002 A Carnival Cruise ship docks in Miami. 190 of the vessel's 2,428 passengers and 4 of 900+ crewmen were afflicted with a highly-contagious norovirus.
1 Aug 2003 The Food and Drug Administration drops the requirement that products containing Olestra bear a warning about diarrhea and stomach cramps.
2 Sep 2003 A Princess Cruise ship docks in New York. 301 of the vessel's 1,528 passengers and 45 of 679 crewmen were afflicted with a highly-contagious norovirus.
16 Oct 2003 A Carnival Cruise ship docks in New Orleans, unleashing 79 of 1,670 passengers and 41 of 660 crewmen afflicted with a stomach virus during a trip to Mexico.
3 Nov 2003 Spain closes its border with Gibraltar after a Princess Cruise ship disembarks there. 400 of the vessel's 1,800 passengers were afflicted with a highly-contagious norovirus.
Jan 17, 2003
Quote:
Health Inspectors Find Roaches Aboard QE2
MIAMI (Reuters) - U.S. health inspectors found cockroaches and other sanitary shortcomings aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 and have given the celebrated cruise ship a failing grade for overall sanitation.
Carrying out a routine examination unrelated to the outbreaks of stomach flu and other gastrointestinal illnesses that have dogged cruise ships, the inspectors said in a recently published report they also found mold, poor food-service practices and shabby kitchen equipment aboard the flagship of the Cunard Line.
"Several nymph and adult cockroaches were observed crawling on the deck beneath the equipment locker ... in the Princess Britannia kitchen," the U.S. Centers for Disease Control inspectors said.
The inspectors, writing in a report on their Jan. 3 visit to the 34-year-old ship stopped in nearby Fort Lauderdale, also said they found mold or mold residue in ice makers in a pantry and in two shipboard bars.
Other shortcomings on the 1,504-passenger QE2 that yielded a very rare failing grade of 85 on a 100-point scale were corrosion and holes in older stoves, heavily damaged serving trays and improperly operating dishwashing machines.
The inspectors also found standing water near ventilation system outlets blamed on rotted equipment, faulty storage of butter and uncooked meat and vegetables, and unsanitary handling of flatware.
For the last few years, cruising has become a popular middle class vacation activity.The recent outbreaks of intestinal flus of unrelated ships, has given me reason to rethink cruising as an option, And now this! My girlfriend came back from a cruise on one of the Celebrity ships last week. She had been sick as a dog, as were a number of other passengers.
What is your "take" on this? Has the economy, causing the cruise lines to offer bargain fares, become slipshod in their maintenance of the ships? Or do you think that thaere might be some less benign reason for the rash of illnesses on cruise ships lately?
Able2know.com Forum