Outbreak

Wednesday, April 3rd
M/S Marina
At Sea
Americas Connection
Day 16

All the years, all the cruises, all the lines and all the ships, all the days at sea, we have never been onboard a ship suffering an outbreak.  Until now.

We are OK, but Marina has been under Level 3 Sanitation Procedures for nearly two weeks.  Information has been in short supply.  Nothing in writing from the cruise line until April 1st, random announcements only broadcast in the public areas, evasive answers to questions at the reception desk.  We knew people were sick.  We knew it was a GI illness of some sort.  Norovirus?  That can run rampant in the close quarters of a cruise ship, and it's always a concern.

What are Level 3 Sanitation Procedures?  Crew have been stationed at the entrances to all public venues to require the use of hand sanitizer for admittance.  Some facilities have been closed entirely, like the public launderettes.  In other areas, doors have been blocked open to reduce touches, like the public restrooms.  All self-serve food and beverage counters have been wrapped in plastic, with servers to assist.  Servers wearing rubber gloves handled plates with paper napkins.  Tables that are typically set with linens, plates, silver, and glasses have been left bare, sanitized between uses, and only set when assigned.  No salt and pepper.  Crew with buckets of cleaner have been roaming the ship cleaning touchable surfaces, which are left slimy and dripping in their wake.

The crew response has been extraordinary, tirelessly trying to keep everyone healthy in addition to their regular duties, yet the outbreak has persisted.  The threat was finally lifted at noon yesterday.   We have been checking the CDC website for updates since Oceania has not been forthcoming.  Here is their report:

Next Stop:  New York (or the infirmary)