Kevin

I understand that there are reports of people getting very sick with the flu on a number of cruise ships now. Now even Diney cruise lines have been effected.<BR><BR>I am starting to get concerned. I do not want to get sick on vacation, 2 days from the nearest port with just a small medical team to take care of us and a third world nation as our next port.<BR><BR>The cruise line will not refund my money but hundreds are getting very sick and more problems being reported every day. Could it be a terror attack on the cruise lines and their passengers?

maryann

kevin-I think that is a decision you would have to make according to your past medical conditions.<BR><BR>Some people who have pre-existing problems could not tolerate any flu-like illness. They should not expose themselves to large gatherings or events on land or sea or air.<BR><BR>The cruise ship only needs 1 sick person to get on and we all are at risk.<BR><BR>Still and all ,the sick people only are the amount that might fill the ship's movie theatre. But no picnic if you are one of them.<BR><BR>I personally would go on the cruise.

xxx

I hate to say this but I was thinking the same thing that Kevin commented on. It was said last year I believe that cruise ships would be targeted at some point in time.(terrorist attacks)I remember hearing this. Well I am also going on a cruise early next year. We also do need to remember if it flu season, and it is highly contagious. One person is all you need for a virus to spread like wildfire. Even than it is a small amount of people. I don't think it is the entire ship. If it is a food issue, then that is a horse of another color. I don't think they have determined the cause as of yet.

natalie

I was thinking the same thing too. But if it was a terror attack I think people would be much, much sicker. I am not cancelling my feb. cruise. Just as long as you're not taking the affected cruise line I wouldn't worry. Just remember to wash your hands very frequently. I've decided to not let fear run my life as it could very easly happen these days! If you want to plan ahead (I always do) bring some compozine which stops nausea. Your MD should provide some if you tell him you're going on a cruise. I had food poisoning once and that's what they gave me in the hospital, I'll never go through that again and don't go on extended trips without it.

xxx

Natalie, thanks for the tip on the medicine. I won't leave home without it just in case. Enjoy your cruise in Jan.

Eric

I would cancel! There are not enough doctors and facilities to handle so many people sick, so far away from a real hospital!

maryann

As you said, terrorism would be affecting the whole ship, water,food, etc.<BR><BR>This is not the case, this is one sick person infecting another. Who knows all the others on a ship,resort or airplane! Someone brought it on the ship.<BR><BR>It's on picnic to have it, it does run(pun intended) it's course- no doctor or hospital,no matter where you are is going to make a difference.<BR><BR>Sure, I wouldn't get on if I had a pre-existing condition. But for the average person, it would not keep me away.<BR><BR>Everyone will do as they feel they should.

Babs

Isn't it funny how for the first time in my life, I decided to jump on a cruise ship this coming Monday, and I all of a sudden developed a nagging toothache that I have to take Advil every 4 hours, and have to put off going to see my dentist till after Thanksgiving weekend, and now I'm hearing that cruiseliners along with Disney all the passengers getting ill. Is this an omen, or what?

xxx

It is rather baffling to say the least. I mean the flu virus has been out there for years and years. Is it just a coincidence all of a sudden people are spreading the virus on cruise ships?? Seems rather strange to me. I can't quite buy that but at the same time I am at a loss to come up with any other thoughts on the subject.

Ron

Babs, sure sorry about the toothache.<BR>You stated &quot;all the passengers getting ill&quot;--- thats not the case. A very small percentage of the pax. and crew have been affected. Over 90% have had no problems.

abc

Where do cruise ships obtain there food? Do they all obtain from the same place? Is this a food poisoning type thing, or is it a flu virus? Maybe it is some type of inside sabatoge. One cruise ship company against the other. Maybe I watch too much t.v.(??)

zzz

I wouldn't let it stop me. I was watching the news and was thinking about all the people that canceled their cruises because of the latest reports of illness. Imagine how upset you would be if you opted to stay home and got sick anyway! Isn't that Murpheys law? I have a Cruise booked the second week of December. I hope not to get sick. If I do I will have room service every night and let the crew clean my room. That is more service than I would have gotten in my bed at home.

maryann

It's amazing how people are reacting to this illness. There are so many rumors and speculation.<BR><BR>If I was debating a refund or making a new res., I would go to cdc.gov or read info. and get the straight story.<BR><BR>Is it food, water, terror, the hot tub or what? If you have your money on the line, then find out the facts instead of using a minimum amount of knowlege to make a major decision.

abc

I have money on the line and for your info not much is being told to the public. WHY--because no one knows. I am still going and by winter it should be resolved.

Linda

Yes you should cancel. One boat was given 6 complete cleanings and still a large number of people were getting sick. Disney thinks that one cleaning will do the trick-NO. They should put the boat into dock UNTIL everything is completely safe!

Fanci

Linda--a virus can only live a limited time, so without a live host it is self limiting. If the ship is completely cleaned, and there are no active cases among crew or new passengers, then the virus should die.<BR><BR>What is your background in virology?

xxx

That girl is correct. Another ship was also completely cleaned and another group got on and they also became sick as well. I can't cancal I will loose a lot of money. I am going on RC. We have had flu shots. I hope that helps. Anyone going on a cruise should have one if it is any help.

not a doc

I'm not a virologist but don't most flu virus's incubate for 7-10 days before symptoms mainfest themselves?? People would have to be infected a week or more before they even set foot on a ship. How you get hundreds all down with the flu at the same time coming from all over the country seems highly unlikely. One person on a ship could infect hundreds but you wouldn't get sick until after you were home.<BR><BR>Food poisoning is a more realistic possibility.

Howard

If the food is bad don't you think that they already tried that? It is terrorism!

goosegirl

The terrorists won. You people are running around scared like chickens with their heads cut off.