SICK SHIP

claimguy · #1 (**permalink**) February 2nd, 2007, 01:45 AM

Another Sick Ship Arrives At Port Everglades
74-Year-Old Man Dies During Cruise

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. -- Another cruise, another catastrophe.

Holland America's Volendam returned to Port Everglades at about 6:30 a.m. Thursday with 74 sick people on board.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 68 passengers and six crewmembers became violently ill with flu-like symptoms. But shortly before noon Thursday, the cruise line issued a statement that said that the total number had escalated to 112.

Several passengers on the 10-day Panama Canal cruise complained of diarrhea. There were nearly 2,000 people on board.

In the statement released by Holland America, the cruise line said it sent notices asking passengers who exhibited gastro-intestinal symptoms to remain in their cabins.

Some passengers said they were stuck in their cabins for as many as five days.

The Broward Sheriff's Office said a 74-year-old man also died on the cruise. But, according to the cruise line, he suffered a heart attack and his cause of death was not related.

It was not clear if there was a Norovirus outbreak on board, but health officials were investigating.

nmnita · #2 (**permalink**) February 2nd, 2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claimguy

Another Sick Ship Arrives At Port Everglades
74-Year-Old Man Dies During Cruise

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. -- Another cruise, another catastrophe.

Holland America's Volendam returned to Port Everglades at about 6:30 a.m. Thursday with 74 sick people on board.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 68 passengers and six crewmembers became violently ill with flu-like symptoms. But shortly before noon Thursday, the cruise line issued a statement that said that the total number had escalated to 112.

Several passengers on the 10-day Panama Canal cruise complained of diarrhea. There were nearly 2,000 people on board.

In the statement released by Holland America, the cruise line said it sent notices asking passengers who exhibited gastro-intestinal symptoms to remain in their cabins.

Some passengers said they were stuck in their cabins for as many as five days.

The Broward Sheriff's Office said a 74-year-old man also died on the cruise. But, according to the cruise line, he suffered a heart attack and his cause of death was not related.

It was not clear if there was a Norovirus outbreak on board, but health officials were investigating.

Thanks for the update: it seems the noro virus or whatever can hit anyone, anywhere. There really isn't much we can do about it except make sure we wash our hands often, stay away from others when we have any symptoms and wait it out if we do get sick. This certainly isn't a new illness, it has been around since the starting of history, we have just given it a name. NMnita 8)

richstacy · #3 (**permalink**) February 6th, 2007, 05:49 PM

Steve, norovirus hits cruise ships frequently -- but not as often as it hit schools, dorms and that sort of thing. there have been several reports this year of land bound restaurants being hit. As for the death, a large cruise ship is like a small town of 3,000 or so people. It is not at all unusual for two or three people, usually elderly folks to die on a two week cruise. Just as you might expect in a town of similar size and demographics.

sail7seas · #4 (**permalink**) February 9th, 2007, 11:17 AM

Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.......

And use the Purell dispensers located all over HAL ships. They have them at Lido, Dining Room entrance, near the computers, in the casino, at the gangway. Look for them and use them.

Have a great cruise.

nmnita · #5 (**permalink**) February 9th, 2007, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claimguy

Another Sick Ship Arrives At Port Everglades
74-Year-Old Man Dies During Cruise

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. -- Another cruise, another catastrophe.

Holland America's Volendam returned to Port Everglades at about 6:30 a.m. Thursday with 74 sick people on board.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 68 passengers and six crewmembers became violently ill with flu-like symptoms. But shortly before noon Thursday, the cruise line issued a statement that said that the total number had escalated to 112.

Several passengers on the 10-day Panama Canal cruise complained of diarrhea. There were nearly 2,000 people on board.

In the statement released by Holland America, the cruise line said it sent notices asking passengers who exhibited gastro-intestinal symptoms to remain in their cabins.

Some passengers said they were stuck in their cabins for as many as five days.

The Broward Sheriff's Office said a 74-year-old man also died on the cruise. But, according to the cruise line, he suffered a heart attack and his cause of death was not related.

It was not clear if there was a Norovirus outbreak on board, but health officials were investigating.

It certainly seems like HAL has had more than their share of sickness lately. 8)

sail7seas · #6 (**permalink**) February 9th, 2007, 02:46 PM

EVERY cruise ship in the North America market has Noro Virus from time to time. EVERY cruise line. Sometimes we hear often about Disney, sometimes Princess, sometime RCI.....everyone gets their turn.

Statistically, HAL may well have less than some others. Who knows? Don't be fooled into thinking there is a single hotel, hospital, nursing home, dormitory or cruise ship that never has Noro Virus like illness present.

richstacy · #7 (**permalink**) February 9th, 2007, 03:38 PM

Sail7seas is correct on all counts. Especially the part about washing hands and using the hand sanitizer frequently. The virus is spread literally from hand to mouth. Every time you touch a handrail, a chair back or an elevator button you risk coming in contact with the virus. that's the reason for the hand care warnings.