STORM2K

Stomach virus strikes passengers in Western Caribbean

The Associated Press
Updated: 12:15 a.m. ET Jan. 23, 2005PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. - More than 250 people aboard a cruise ship fell ill with a stomach virus while touring the western Caribbean, cruise line officials said Saturday.

About 233 of the 3,465 passengers aboard the Mariner of the Seas became sick after the vessel left Port Canaveral on Jan. 16 for a seven-day cruise through the western Caribbean. The ship was expected to return early Sunday.

Twenty of the vessel’s 1,190 crew members also showed symptoms.

Michael Sheehan, a spokesman for Royal Caribbean International, described the illness as “your typical 24-hour stomach virus and nothing more” and blamed a sick passenger for bringing it on board.

The Mariner of the Seas was also being checked for bacteria, the company said.

Passenger Crystal Wiles, an accountant from Frederick, Md., said in a phone interview from the vessel that she and her husband had been quarantined for three days. She criticized the cruise line’s handling of the illness and said the company was undercounting the number of people affected by the virus.

“The treatment has been horrible,” Wiles said.

It's sad to see this kind of thing coming into our port AGAIN. It's a little freaky for the people living around here too, as the sick people disembark and come into the surrounding towns by the hundreds...

That must be the most terrible feeling being on a boat and having to be nauseous and sick to the stomach. Not to mention all of the people's vacation being ruined. Maybe the virus was in the food supply for it to spread so quickly among the passengers and crew members.

And this is why I'll never go on a cruise! No way! I have to follow a very specific diet anyway and drink bottled water when traveling, can't even imagine what I'd have to do to be able to feel well on a cruise (use bottled water for brushing teeth, skip salads, no ice in drinks, etc.). I've joked with my family they'd have to admit me to the ER, just thinking about it all!!! LOL

I don't know what the answer is but it's something cruise lines are doing wrong with water/waste/sanitation systems. Once they figure this out, then maybe I'd consider one!

Mary

Oh Miss Mary, I hate too hear that you wouldn't go on a cruise.

I have been on two, one out of Cape Canavarel and one out of New Orleans. Went on the Fantasy out of the Cape and had a BLAST. Went on the Holiday out of New Orelans and it was Fun, but not as much as the Fantasy. The Fantasy is much much bigger and has more things to offer while on board and of course we were bumped up 3 decks because we bought our tickets so early.

The food on both ships was out of this world and I even took a tour of the kitchens on the Holiday and was amazed at the cleanliness. I will add I have been in hospital kitchens many many times as my mother worked in one as a dietician and believe me the ship was cleaner! Makes you wonder huh?

Still I wouldn't take any of it back and would go again in a heart beat, but not for 7 days. 4/5 is plenty long to be on a cruise.

Mary

IMHO, the cruise lines need a wake-up call; terrorists or "wanabes" could easily contaminate ship's stores, making this outbreak look like a kid in a crowded playground with "the sniffles".

Mary - the tap water in Tampa messes me up! Sure I can drink the Cincy tap water but when I travel I have to drink bottled. A lovely side effect from past colon cancer - I'll leave it at that!!! We entertained the possibility of a cruise just recently. As I began to realize I couldn't partake in the foods I love and really have to watch it carefully, I said no thank you! Besides stress doesn't help my situation either. I know the entire time I'd be thinking - any minute now all you know what will break loose!

It's a shame too since I hear the food is superb on cruise's. But any dish they use tap water for (salads, ice for drinks), I'd have to avoid.

But again, no thanks! I would be one of those folks you see stumbling off a ship, or worse, on a stretcher for the ER!

Mary