A Royal Caribbean cruise vacationer who has championed the ocean for many of his retirement isn’t letting his present journey, spoiled by a nasty bout of norovirus operating rampant on the ship, deter him from planning a twenty sixth journey.
Bob Pettit, 87, is considered one of practically 100 passengers aboard the Royal Caribbean Worldwide ship Serenade of the Seas who fell sick with the norovirus shortly after disembarking from San Diego.
The 13-day cruise leaves little room to breathe with stops in Mexico, Costa Rica and Colombia – none of which Pettit and his son Josh have been in a position to totally take pleasure in.
“I’m 87 years previous, I’ve by no means been this sick in my life,” Pettit lamented to NBC 6.
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention confirmed that the bout is an authorized outbreak, considered one of many noticed aboard cruise ships this yr.
As of Wednesday, 94 passengers and 4 crew members reported being sick, based on the CDC.
“It actually hits you arduous. Violently,” Pettit instructed the outlet.
“It begins with an upset abdomen,” he defined, noting that it solely actually acquired to him just a few days into the cruise.
Different widespread norovirus signs embody diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches and a fever, based on the CDC.
Norovirus outbreaks are widespread on cruise ships and different giant gatherings in contained areas.
One of the simplest ways to forestall the unfold in such shut quarters is to quarantine, which Pettit did, however even then it wasn’t sufficient to plug the outbreak.
His son Josh mentioned they’ll take into account taking additional precautions to keep away from catching the virus sooner or later.
“You’re touching chairs, salt and pepper shakers, and we’re undoubtedly pondering extra about that and attempting to maintain your palms clear earlier than you contact your meals,” Josh instructed the outlet.
Royal Caribbean assured that its crew is doing every thing they will to forestall additional unfold and ease passengers by way of the final leg of the journey.
“The well being and security of our visitors, crew, and the communities we go to are our prime precedence. To take care of an atmosphere that helps the very best ranges of well being and security onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleansing procedures, a lot of which far exceed public well being pointers,” Royal Caribbean mentioned in an announcement.
The daddy-son duo remained in excessive spirits and refused to let the sickness put a damper on their journey – or future plans for a staggering twenty sixth cruise trip.
“Hopefully, issues have turned the nook right here and issues are getting higher,” Josh instructed the outlet.
Their present cruise is scheduled to return Miami on Thursday.
Up to now, a whopping 19 gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruises had been reported to the CDC this yr, together with 14 attributable to norovirus.
Three of the norovirus outbreaks occured on Royal Caribbean ships.
