would you go on a cruise, given the recent hantavarus and being refused to dock?

[HoraceCope]

British crew member in need of urgent medical care amid suspected hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship | Water transport | The Guardian

I wouldn’t anyway but I think the vast majority of cruises would be perfectly safe
so would be put off by this particular story

I fell asleep last night thinking about how awful it must be for those poor people on the cruise not being able to dock or receive treatment. I ended up dreaming I was on the cruise and spent half the time exited because I had seen Sid James at breakfast (Yes I know hes dead) and the other half running around the ship being chased by rats, so I think my anxiety has filtered into my sleep, very doubtful I will ever choose a cruise now.

How are there rats on ships. Surely it’s floating and airtight. That’s a pretty easy thing to defend?

That’s the point isn’t it. We have never been on a ship with 5000 people, more like half that and the infected ship is tiny in comparison so it shows that size isn’t everything to worry about. Food is generally ok but we avoid the buffet and tend to book speciality restaurants but pick different holidays for food if that is important. And most people don’t book the cruise excursions I find simply because they are expensive and you get to see things you want if you investigate the area beforehand and then do it yourself.

Hantavirus has a really long incubation period, up to 8 weeks so it is possible (perhaps probable) that the original infection was from rodents on land before anyone even boarded the ship in Argentina.

Yes, I like to go on MSC and Norwegian line. I've been many times and never had any problem. I'm off on Saturday for a cruise holiday with MSC.

That is what makes me alarmed about the 2% death rate among the exposed group (everyone on the ship). Who are being moved to many different destinations.

I have been on 15 cruises . Just got back from one on a megaship - MSC Virtuosa 3rd largest in the world with 5000 passengers and 1700 crew . You only have to look on a marine traffic app to see the phenomenal amount of cruise ships sailing at any time . So the problem on this small ship while horrendous for those poor people is microscopic really. Cruises are different things to different people . Some enjoy the food drink and entertainment in the ship for others its all about exploring the ports . Some like casual dress and the gym facilities others enjoy reading on deck and dressing up at night . You really cant knock it till youve tried it !

You don’t have to socialise or dress up. I’ve been on 2 cruises and never socialised with anyone outside my own family. Nor have I worn headphones around a tourist attraction

I wouldn’t go on a cruise because they don’t sound like my cup of tea. I always think that whenever we’re somewhere the cruise ship comes in it has a really detrimental impact on the ambiance, so if you’re on the cruise, everywhere you visit you see under those conditions. I like smaller boats though, sailing holidays etc.

It must be scary to be stuck on board with a virus that has a 40% mortality rate even if you are an adventurer on an expedition rather than a regular cruiser.

It seems a bit strange that so many people are getting ill with it on this cruise if it’s so difficult to transmit. They’re also tracing all of the passengers of the plane that travelled from St Helena to Johannesburg on which one of the evacuated passengers travelled (and later died). It must be something they all caught on the ship or just before boarding when they were all together.

@PinkTonic Yes, that’s the problem. You are with 1000s of others flooding out a destination. Of course you get a snapshot of somewhere but there’s rarely lectures about what you will see, no in depth info and it’s for people with short attention spans. Families do like them for activities and dc clubs but in many other ways they are limiting.

As the ship in question has sailed from Argentina where they know this virus goes from person to person, there’s a strong possibility a shore excursion or local produce is to blame. If the ship provisioned there, it could be the issue. It’s nowhere near as spreadable as Covid but people getting very close to each other (couples and the doctor) are more at risk. It can take 4-8 weeks to manifest itself too. So problematic all round.

Bearing in mind the sheer number of cruise boats, the odd one with a serious virus is insignificant. There are more serious outbreaks of various diseases in hospitals. Likewise outbreaks in big hotels, especially the all inclusives.

Basically anywhere where there are lots of people in relatively small spaces is a petri dish for infections being passed around.

Likewise, we didn't socialise nor dress up. Most people didn't bother. "Smart casual" clothing is absolutely fine for most on board restaurants. If there are only 2 or 4 of you, you can ask for a table for 2 or 4 if you don't want to dine with others.

Weirdly, I would rather set myself on fire than go on a typical cruise however the one with hantavirus seems like a proper adventure (because of the expeditions, not the dreadful virus), so I would go on that one. Although obviously not at the moment!

I wouldn't have thought a cruise was much different to an AI holiday, only at sea and plenty like those, though I wouldn't go on one of those either.

There’s not a thing on this earth that could ever tempt me to go on a cruise. It strikes me as being locked in a holiday camp, with added sea sickness.

I love cruising and this definitely hasn’t put me off. Can’t wait for my next one booked for Christmas.

they can sneak aboard in supplies like big crates or run up the mooring ropes. Usually you see the ropes have large metal discs on them to stop rats getting aboard

Airports are the obvious ones. I sit and watch the habits of passengers and cringe. Airplanes are also a fantastic breeding ground for bugs. Sealed container with the air recirculated

@Ginmonkeyagain What about other ships?

There are cruises and cruises, you definitely can’t lump them together. No forced fun on the upmarket ones. Some places (like Alaska) are best done by cruise. You can speak to no one other than the person/people you are with if you wish. Although a cruise isn’t my first choice, to go somewhere exciting one hasn’t been to before in the mornings, then head back for a lovely lunch, relaxing in the afternoon is a really nice way to spend a day. We were on the Explorer at Christmas which was excellent with the Japanese restaurant easily rivalling a top London one.

Bloody grim!

40% death rate though. I was pretty chill about covid. But if this is the new pandemic I am first one locked inside! Fuck that

I wouldn't go a cruise full stop. Petri dish for infections..all the mass produced food, queuing for everything etc
A river cruise maybe but definitely not a huge cruise liner, no thank you!