Had a nice surprise when I got to the HOrizon Court

Camelia · #1 (**permalink**) February 13th, 2006, 11:30 AM

I love buffets and I eat alot of meals in the Horizon Court but one thing always worried me: germs from many hands on the utensils etc and the possibility of picking something up..well..when I got there the first day I was delighted to see at the entrance of each eating area a dispenser with disinfecting lotion and a server right beside it requesting everyone who was entering to please use them..it's the first time I've seen this and I felt so much better..even if only 90% of people use them (there are always a few that sneak in when they're not looking)..that's still wonderful!! That..and disinfecting my eating utensils in the hot water before each meal made me feel more in control..and I didn't hear of anyone getting sick..could be coincidence but maybe not!!

Camelia

Mike M · #2 (**permalink**) February 13th, 2006, 03:37 PM

The hand disinfectants are just about standard, industry wide. On my last two cruises on NCL they were implemented and I was very happy that they were. They are also used on all Carnival ships and I fairly sure they have been rolled out on Royal Caribbean.

They help the passengers and hopefully the crew are going through the same procedures to help cut down on the spread of disease. They were also prevalent in the casino area.

Take care,
Mike

Irish Shark · #3 (**permalink**) February 13th, 2006, 05:29 PM

I got the Norwalk virus on the IP in Nov 04. After my three day cabin confinement, I noticed that they put the hand washers in the Horizon Court. They made everyone wash up or they would not let you in.

Also, the whole public areas were getting a daily scrup down. Not just the typical cleaning.

LisaK · #4 (**permalink**) February 14th, 2006, 09:04 AM

on our last cruise, on the Golden - for the first couple of days, you would not be handed a plate & utensils until you used the hand sanitizer.

skymaster · #5 (**permalink**) February 14th, 2006, 10:03 AM

Right you are Mike. RCL has installed the disenfectant dispensers with a crewmen there at the entrance to the buffet as well. It's a great idea, and I noted that almost everyone uses it.
Ken

CAsailor · #6 (**permalink**) February 14th, 2006, 08:56 PM

I was surprised to see that use of the hand sanitizer was not required on my November cruise on Dawn Princess. They had a sanitizing machine, but it was way off to the side and I think most people didn't even realize it was there. There was no employee enforcing use and I only saw a very few people use it. To be honest, I was happy to see that if was optional as the sanitizing lotions tend to dry out my hands and make them terribly itchy.

ladybug · #7 (**permalink**) February 18th, 2006, 12:10 AM

I am pretty paranoid too, and I like the idea of having a crew member direct people to the hand sanitizer. I hope to see it on our CB cruise, and on the Crown as well. You can never be too careful!!

CJOH · #8 (**permalink**) February 26th, 2006, 04:04 PM

I'VE DECIDED THAT I WILL GO THRU THE SANITIZER AGAIN AFTER I SET DOWN MY FOOD IN CASE THE PEOPLE HANDLING THE SERVING UTINSILS BEFORE ME NEGLECTED TO DO SO.