New cruise ship design questioned

With reports of noroviruses on cruise ships becoming more frequent, a leading health expert has criticized a Norwegian Cruise Liner’s decision to change the design of the cabin facilities to include separate basin and cubicle facilities instead of a full one-piece bathroom.

Putting the sink outside apart from the toilet cubicle could aid in the spreading of noroviruses according to honorary professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Sally Bloomfield.

She says, “Norovirus spreads by person-to-person contact and through contact with surfaces that have been touched by people carrying the bug. Everyone should wash their hands as soon as they have been to the toilet and the toilet area should be designed to encourage that. That means putting the sink by the toilet.”

A spokesman for Norwegian Cruise Lines defends the decision by saying, “The wet area is sectioned off by a curtain that makes it private. Having the basin outside the commode gives guests more space within the bathroom and allows guests the ability for one to shower while the other is using the sink.”

www.ncl.com