Virus sweeps through cruise ship in Mexico
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Posted on: February 27th, 2008 by Dave Bess
Upon its return to a San Diego, California port after a 10-day trip through Mexican waters, a Holland America cruise ship docked with over 100 very sick passengers onboard. A highly contagious virus was first reported by passengers on the Ryndam six days into the journey, with the 24 to 48-hour virus causing vomiting, diarrhea and nausea.
104 passengers and crewmembers fell ill on the ship that was carrying 1,226 passengers and a crew of 556. After the ship moored in San Diego, an 81-year old woman had to be taken to the hospital due to dehydration. The so-called norovirus has struck the ship three times already, and the company is quick to point out that the source of such a virus is usually carried aboard by a passenger.
During the cruise, afflicted passengers were asked to stay in their rooms to prevent further outbreak, and compensated to the tune of $100 a day for their troubles. The ship once again set sail for a similar excursion, with Holland America telling passengers they were free to take a refund if they felt unsafe. Only one couple did so.
Gina
Oh dear what were we saying just two weeks back?
Horst
I think they ought to change their cleaning company after this kind of an outbreak. This is serious. What is it, dirty kitchens? dirty or contaminated water? One member of kitchen staff didn’t wash their hands?
Scary thing is that it’s a Holland America vessell.
Patrick
Facilities must have been good on board if only one couple decided to accept the refund. 100$ per day to stay in your cabins?
Steve
This kind of sad episode happens very rarely on cruise ships. Holland America are hardly to blame as they didn’t do it deliberately, extra precautions are always taken on cruise ships to prevent these kind of things happening. It’s a wonder with all the place they do travel to that it doesn’t happen more often.
The compensation package is pretty good as well.