Oriana passengers holding crunch meeting over norovirus outbreak

Oriana Oriana

A CRUNCH meeting is being held on board a bug-stricken cruise ship tonight before it docks into Southampton port tomorrow morning.

Passengers held a meeting on board the P&O Cruise ship Oriana today at 11am where a letter from the captain was read out.

Since the ship left Southampton earlier this month hundreds of people have been struck down with norovirus - a highly contagious vomiting and diarrhoea bug.

The letter was read out by a passenger on board because the captain did not encourage public gatherings and would not join the meeting.

He expressed his disappointment that the world's media had been informed about the situation on board.

Passenger Chris Meadows from Southampton was at the meeting.

“The captain has admitted at the height of the outbreak the crew could not cope. No official numbers of people affected was given.

“We had another show of hands of how many people were affected, which was filmed by many of the passengers that attended the meeting.

“Another passenger was informed that today, 89 cabins were undergoing additional sanitation procedures,” he said.

When the ship docks tomorrow morning it is expected to be in port for longer than usual to clean the ship more than usual.

Another meeting will be held at 6pm where the captain has promised to read out a statement.

Comments(22)

aPint4me says...
5:17pm Thu 13 Dec 12

dont blame the ship!
most cases are brought on board by passengers and many illneses spread via library books, many of which are read on the toilet.
I have witnessed the vigorous cleaning done bu P & O and other cruise lines throughout the day and overnight. They do their best.

TurquoiseJ says...
5:29pm Thu 13 Dec 12

Hot soapy water to wash hands before eating, and regularly throughout day. I am surprised at how few outbreaks there are considering the size of these ships. It can happen anywhere that large numbers of people are in close proximity.
Obviously I am sorry for the passengers that have been ill, but getting angry will not make things better.

Higginz says...
6:05pm Thu 13 Dec 12

Shouldn't that be more of a splat meeting?

S Pance says...
6:07pm Thu 13 Dec 12

Norovirus can survive for several days on hard surfaces such as handrails and door handles etc.

aPint4me says...
6:07pm Thu 13 Dec 12

Higginz wrote:
Shouldn't that be more of a splat meeting?
no, a sh1t-in

sameoldscene says...
6:15pm Thu 13 Dec 12

Got to agree with most of the comments posted. I have witnessed many times people exiting toilets etc and storming up to communal eating areas and buffets without even a basic hand wash after their "visit". P&O are always on top of their sanitary cleaning and these manky people (usually older folk need a lesson in personal hygiene)

costa gaz says...
6:17pm Thu 13 Dec 12

Sovietobserver wrote:
aPint4me wrote:
dont blame the ship!
most cases are brought on board by passengers and many illneses spread via library books, many of which are read on the toilet.
I have witnessed the vigorous cleaning done bu P & O and other cruise lines throughout the day and overnight. They do their best.
This reflects exactly the type of person who voyages on these cruises.
Many can't really afford to pay the prices , but it is the 'ego trip' of boasting to their neighbours and friends afterwards that they have been on a cruise that influences them, but they fail to take any care or make any expense regarding their own personal hygiene. Then they've got the audacity took take part in protests that just create adverse unnecessary publicity for the cruise companies. Disgusting egoistic show-offs the lot of them.
what a bizarre post by our Sovietobserver.

Vonnie says...
6:31pm Thu 13 Dec 12

costa gaz wrote:
Sovietobserver wrote:
aPint4me wrote: dont blame the ship! most cases are brought on board by passengers and many illneses spread via library books, many of which are read on the toilet. I have witnessed the vigorous cleaning done bu P & O and other cruise lines throughout the day and overnight. They do their best.
This reflects exactly the type of person who voyages on these cruises. Many can't really afford to pay the prices , but it is the 'ego trip' of boasting to their neighbours and friends afterwards that they have been on a cruise that influences them, but they fail to take any care or make any expense regarding their own personal hygiene. Then they've got the audacity took take part in protests that just create adverse unnecessary publicity for the cruise companies. Disgusting egoistic show-offs the lot of them.
what a bizarre post by our Sovietobserver.
Bizarre; shot through with what one can only surmise is either jealousy or snobbery; and totally unproven regarding cruise ship passenger's attitudes and actions.
This is an opinion which Sovietobserver is entitled to hold, but unless and until it is based on facts, should be ignored.

elvisimo says...
6:54pm Thu 13 Dec 12

Sovietobserver wrote:
aPint4me wrote:
dont blame the ship!
most cases are brought on board by passengers and many illneses spread via library books, many of which are read on the toilet.
I have witnessed the vigorous cleaning done bu P & O and other cruise lines throughout the day and overnight. They do their best.
This reflects exactly the type of person who voyages on these cruises.
Many can't really afford to pay the prices , but it is the 'ego trip' of boasting to their neighbours and friends afterwards that they have been on a cruise that influences them, but they fail to take any care or make any expense regarding their own personal hygiene. Then they've got the audacity took take part in protests that just create adverse unnecessary publicity for the cruise companies. Disgusting egoistic show-offs the lot of them.
Green eyes?

thinklikealocal says...
6:55pm Thu 13 Dec 12

My neighbour told me today that both her and her young daughter had been ill with Novovirus. Likewise, several colleagues at work. None of them on a cruise. All holidays now attract potential 'claimers', any activity come to that! Soviet Observer. I've been on many cruises, never been ill, always wash my hands, never complained or claimed, enjoyed every one. Hate these type of passengers!

10 Minute Man says...
7:39pm Thu 13 Dec 12

I've been on several P&O cruises and have been very impressed with the level of cleanliness of the ships, the cabins, public areas and toilets. They are at it all the time, and if they detect norovirus the efforts really go into overdrive. Eventually of course you could have more passengers ill and spreading the virus than anyone could cope with.

At food/drink areas there are always staff with anti-bac handgel, very keen to make sure everyone uses it. Unfortunately there are quite a number of people who refuse it and try to ignore the staff insisting on it. So they'll end up eating with contaminated hands as well as spreading the virus onto all sorts of surfaces. Having ingested the norovirus they quickly become infected transmitters and mingle with others, spreading the virus until the symptoms hit them and they take to their beds. And then begin moaning about the ship making them ill.

Its annoying when I see people refusing the hand gel. They might have washed their hands a minute ago, but if they've picked up the norovirus before eating they are very likely to get it and spread it to me.

Naturally you get some Daily Heil readers on board who just blame the staff because, you know, they're not like us, if you get me. But of course the staff are very aware of the risks, the control approach, and the impact on them short term (yuck) and long term (impact on business).

aPint4me says...
7:48pm Thu 13 Dec 12

10 Minute Man wrote:
I've been on several P&O cruises and have been very impressed with the level of cleanliness of the ships, the cabins, public areas and toilets. They are at it all the time, and if they detect norovirus the efforts really go into overdrive. Eventually of course you could have more passengers ill and spreading the virus than anyone could cope with.

At food/drink areas there are always staff with anti-bac handgel, very keen to make sure everyone uses it. Unfortunately there are quite a number of people who refuse it and try to ignore the staff insisting on it. So they'll end up eating with contaminated hands as well as spreading the virus onto all sorts of surfaces. Having ingested the norovirus they quickly become infected transmitters and mingle with others, spreading the virus until the symptoms hit them and they take to their beds. And then begin moaning about the ship making them ill.

Its annoying when I see people refusing the hand gel. They might have washed their hands a minute ago, but if they've picked up the norovirus before eating they are very likely to get it and spread it to me.

Naturally you get some Daily Heil readers on board who just blame the staff because, you know, they're not like us, if you get me. But of course the staff are very aware of the risks, the control approach, and the impact on them short term (yuck) and long term (impact on business).
well said

bigfella777 says...
8:16pm Thu 13 Dec 12

This wont be the first time or the last, it's the crew that bring it on board because they have to live in such cramped, filthy, Dickensian conditions below decks and they have a different standard of hygiene in the third world.

johnm says...
8:58pm Thu 13 Dec 12

bigfella777 wrote:
This wont be the first time or the last, it's the crew that bring it on board because they have to live in such cramped, filthy, Dickensian conditions below decks and they have a different standard of hygiene in the third world.
WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH
Noro is endemic in the community, it is spread by poor personal hygene, The crew are well versed in the importance of hand hygene, unlike the passengers.
Perhaps the writer is a little out of touch ith the accomodation of modern cruise vessels and the standard of crew training. Isn't it strange that it's the passengers fall foul of this highly infectious virus and not the crew.

johnm says...
9:09pm Thu 13 Dec 12

bigfella777 wrote:
This wont be the first time or the last, it's the crew that bring it on board because they have to live in such cramped, filthy, Dickensian conditions below decks and they have a different standard of hygiene in the third world.
WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH
Noro is endemic in the community, it is spread by poor personal hygene, The crew are well versed in the importance of hand hygene, unlike the passengers.
Perhaps the writer is a little out of touch with the accomodation of modern cruise vessels and the standard of crew training. Isn't it strange that it's the passengers fall foul of this highly infectious virus and not the crew.

Linesman says...
10:46pm Thu 13 Dec 12

elvisimo wrote:
Sovietobserver wrote:
aPint4me wrote:
dont blame the ship!
most cases are brought on board by passengers and many illneses spread via library books, many of which are read on the toilet.
I have witnessed the vigorous cleaning done bu P & O and other cruise lines throughout the day and overnight. They do their best.
This reflects exactly the type of person who voyages on these cruises.
Many can't really afford to pay the prices , but it is the 'ego trip' of boasting to their neighbours and friends afterwards that they have been on a cruise that influences them, but they fail to take any care or make any expense regarding their own personal hygiene. Then they've got the audacity took take part in protests that just create adverse unnecessary publicity for the cruise companies. Disgusting egoistic show-offs the lot of them.
Green eyes?
Sadly, there's a lot of truth in what he says.

Not all, but quite a few, who have scraped and saved during their working life, to have a cruise as a retirement bash.

People who have lived on fish and chips and takeaways, now trying to live the high life and not knowing which knife to use first when sitting down to eat.

OSPREYSAINT says...
10:52pm Thu 13 Dec 12

The virus doesn't discriminate between race or wealth, it has the same effect on everyone.

aPint4me says...
10:59pm Thu 13 Dec 12

it prefers people with poor hygiene

sparkster says...
11:10pm Thu 13 Dec 12

i agree with the above comment, i think a lot of it comes down to basic hygiene i worked in a canteen once and a woman worker came out of the loo i was washing my hands and she went straight out without washing her hands and she said she was going to tray up bacon for breakfasts for the next morning i took her to one side and told her she'd need to wash her hands first, she didnt like it but i didnt care

IronLady2010 says...
12:15am Fri 14 Dec 12

Of course these floating prisons are going to be riddled with Bacteria. You cram hundreds of strangers into any confined space and you're asking for trouble.

If I was on this prison I'd stay in my Cell and run away when it docked.

Those going to meetings in a confined space are sure to get infected when they are surrounded by sick people?

Afterall, it's the sick and infected complaining?

aPint4me says...
12:19pm Sat 15 Dec 12

clearly Iron Lady you have not cruised before!

Pikey-Biker says...
2:45am Tue 8 Jan 13

aPint4me wrote:
10 Minute Man wrote: I've been on several P&O cruises and have been very impressed with the level of cleanliness of the ships, the cabins, public areas and toilets. They are at it all the time, and if they detect norovirus the efforts really go into overdrive. Eventually of course you could have more passengers ill and spreading the virus than anyone could cope with. At food/drink areas there are always staff with anti-bac handgel, very keen to make sure everyone uses it. Unfortunately there are quite a number of people who refuse it and try to ignore the staff insisting on it. So they'll end up eating with contaminated hands as well as spreading the virus onto all sorts of surfaces. Having ingested the norovirus they quickly become infected transmitters and mingle with others, spreading the virus until the symptoms hit them and they take to their beds. And then begin moaning about the ship making them ill. Its annoying when I see people refusing the hand gel. They might have washed their hands a minute ago, but if they've picked up the norovirus before eating they are very likely to get it and spread it to me. Naturally you get some Daily Heil readers on board who just blame the staff because, you know, they're not like us, if you get me. But of course the staff are very aware of the risks, the control approach, and the impact on them short term (yuck) and long term (impact on business).
well said
but you dont see what happens in the kitchens do you

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