Three outbreaks of Norovirus on a trio of ships this week (Ruby Princess, Crown Princess and Voyager of the Sea) plus a nautical disaster off the coast of Italy last month (the capsizing of the Costa Concordia) and assorted other shipboard nightmares (missing people, passengers falling overboard) are taking a toll on the cruise industry.
While cruise lines are remaining fairly quiet about it, the industry buzz is that some folks just don't think ship travel is as safe as it once was. And they might have a point.
As a victim of a mysterious malady aboard a cruise ship a few years ago, I can tell you it's no fun being shut in your cabin until the ailment has passed. Which is exactly what happens when you get sick on a ship. You are quarantined to your stateroom.
However it wasn't all bad, save for the vomiting and general malaise. There was the flat screen TV to keep me entertained and plenty of books, borrowed from the libray, to read. After the Hazmat crew came in and scrubbed down the walls, floors and nooks and crannies of my cabin, the doctor and a nurse arrived at my door. The doctor gave me a more thorough examination that I get from my HMO doctor does. She also gave me some shots to stop the barfing and sent in lots of bottled water to redydrate me. All free of charge as was almost everything else such as laundry service that would be picked up in my room so I wouldn't be able to contaminate others on board.
The cruise line, which obviously wishes to remain unnamed, actually picks up the tab when a passenger succumbs to a shipboard transmitted disease. But don't even think about faking it. They do send the doctor to check you out and they can tell.
While the Norovirus still scares me some, I take plenty of precautions on ships always using the anti-bacterial jells they now offer everywhere--at the dining room, in the fitness center, spa, on deck--and I wash my hands constantly. This is also a good idea in general. Not much we can do about a ship tipping over execpt to make sure we attend the mandatory life boat drill at the beginning of the cruise. It really could save lives.
My next cruise is in the works and there will be lots more ahead.
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