Virus Outbreak On A Cruise Ship: What to Expect In 2024

NOTE: This post was previously published in 2020 and has been recently updated.

If you’re on a cruise ship during a virus outbreak, what changes will happen onboard? Here was our experience during a virus outbreak on a cruise ship.

In 2020, COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) rapidly swept across the globe, bringing travel practically to a standstill. All the major cruise lines suspended operations, and airlines drastically reduced their flights. A nationwide state of emergency was declared in the United States, as well as many other nations, and social distancing and wearing face masks was strongly encouraged, if not mandated.

In December 2019, we cruised on Norwegian Joy the week following a norovirus outbreak and noticed the preventive measures being taken by the crew to keep us safe and healthy. These measures appear to be standard throughout the cruise industry and are followed regardless of the type of infectious disease outbreak. If you’re onboard a ship that’s experiencing a virus outbreak of any kind, you’re likely to see a similar scenario.

Here’s what to expect.

Pre-Boarding Health Screenings

It is standard procedure during boarding to be given a health questionnaire to complete and sign, basically asserting that you and your traveling companions haven’t experienced any signs of illness recently.

Since the onset of COVID-19, additional screening has been done before boarding to determine if a guest has recently traveled to a country experiencing an outbreak of the virus, or has been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for the virus. The health questionnaire asks if the guest has recently experienced fever, coughing, and/or difficulty breathing. Guests’ temperatures may be checked using touchless thermometers.

Cabins

Every possible precaution is taken to minimize the chance of a guest picking up a virus in their cabin during an outbreak. In addition to stringent cleaning protocols, the cabins are swept clean of any small items that aren’t necessary. These include:

• Decorative pillows
• Ice bucket
• Coffeemaker
• Room service menu holder
• Water glasses
• Courtesy notepad and pen

In our cabin, the only small items left on counters or tables were the room phone and bathroom toiletries. Everything else was gone.

We were also surprised one morning when we returned to our cabin right after breakfast and found our room steward leaving our cabin wearing a hazmat hood, gloves, and carrying a tank similar to the ones pictured below. Apparently, all the cabins were being fogged each day to kill viruses.

Public Areas

The ship’s crew is normally seen polishing handrails and such throughout the day, but during a virus outbreak, the cleaning is constant and extensive. Rather than using a spray bottle of disinfectant and a cloth, crew members carried buckets of disinfectant and sponges, completely soaking handrails, glass panels, and even elevator panels.

Public restroom doors are propped open so that guests won’t need to touch the door handle when entering or leaving the restroom.

Buffets

At the entrance to the buffet, the washy-washy attendants are there as usual. But during a virus outbreak, they are more vigilant, insisting on spraying your hands before you enter the restaurant.

Buffet stations are roped off and manned by crew members, who wear surgical gloves as they hand out silverware and napkins. No more serving yourself—a crew member dishes out your food for you.

The dining tables are completely bare. No salt and pepper shakers, sugar packets, creamer, or condiments. If you want one of these items, ask a crew member and they’ll bring you individual packets or a small dish of a condiment.

As soon as a table is abandoned, a crew member immediately sanitizes the table and leaves a sign on it, informing guests that they shouldn’t sit down until the table is dry.

Restaurants

At the specialty restaurants, the hostess will take the guest’s card and wipe it on an antibacterial mat before swiping it, then disinfect it again before returning it to the guest.

Again, the dining tables are cleared of any small items, including votive candles, which made reading the menus difficult at dinner. The restaurant was so dark that guests were using their phones’ flashlight feature to read their menu.

No leather menu folders are used during an outbreak. Instead, a single-use paper menu is handed to each guest.

Once diners have departed, all linens are removed, the table is disinfected, and new linens are placed on the table.

Cocktail Bars

Bar menus are tucked out of sight, and beer nuts and snacks aren’t offered as they would usually be. Bartenders wear surgical gloves and set your drink on the bar top, rather than place it in your hand.

Library and Card Room

On our cruise, I heard that all the books were removed from the library. It would stand to reason that the cards and games would be removed from the card room, as well.

What You Can Do During A Virus Outbreak On A Cruise Ship

On board our cruise during preventive measures, I found myself being more cognizant of protecting myself, and you can too. Here are some tips:

• Wear a face mask
• Avoid standing close to other people
• Take the stairs rather than the elevator
• If you need the handrail for balance while taking stairs, use the outside of your wrist
• If you must take the elevator, press buttons with your elbow or wrist
• Avoid shaking hands with others
• If you can, use your foot to pull out your chair from the table, rather than your hand
• Cough or sneeze into your inner elbow
• If you’re feeling unwell, remain in your cabin
• If you don’t feel better soon, inform the medical center onboard
• Follow all safety protocols and instructions from the crew

Final Thoughts On Cruising During A Virus Outbreak

We were quite fortunate that due to the crew’s tireless efforts during our week onboard, no one was infected (that we were aware of). Their hard work paid off, and for that, we were truly grateful.

My heart goes out to the the unfortunate souls lost in the coronavirus pandemic that followed this cruise, for their loved ones who still grieve, for the health care professionals who did their best to treat and care for the many who suffer, and for our leaders who struggled to deal with an unthinkable situation with limited resources.

The coronavirus may have abated but it isn’t completely gone, so we shouldn’t be complacent. Flu is still a problem, as well as norovirus. Wash your hands frequently while cruising, and if you feel sick, take precautions.

Safe cruising!