Cruise ships are sold as dreamy getaways, but for too many passengers, they’ve become floating germ factories thanks to norovirus—a wretched stomach bug that turns holidays into horrors. Over the past 12 months, ships like Queen Mary 2, Viking Neptune, and P&O Iona have been struck by outbreaks, leaving travellers sick and exposing the industry’s shoddy hygiene practices. Inadequate products and lax standards are letting this virus run riot.
🦠 Rubbish Hygiene Products Feed the Beast: Cruise lines shove alcohol-based hand sanitisers everywhere, but they’re useless against norovirus—it shrugs off alcohol like it’s nothing. Those sanitiser stations might as well be pumping out water. Alcohol-free hand sanitisers, loaded with proper virus-killers like quaternary ammonium compounds, should be standard kit. Why aren’t they sorting this?
🦠 Spreading Like a Bad Rumour: Norovirus tears through ships via dodgy grub, water, and-worst of all-surfaces touched by filthy hands. Passengers grab buffet utensils, push doors, and clutch railings, while the virus tags along, thriving in cramped conditions. Person-to-person contact finishes the job. Ships need to crack down on these weak spots.
🦠 Surfaces Stay Nasty for Weeks: This bug doesn’t leave easily—it can cling to door handles, tables, and other hard surfaces for days, even weeks. Cleaning crews might give things a once-over, but if they’re using rubbish alcohol sprays, it’s a waste of time. Only heavy-duty disinfectants like Viresist can blitz norovirus properly.
🦠 Symptoms That’ll Ruin Your Day—and More: Think sudden spewing, endless toilet trips, gut cramps, and maybe a fever for good measure. Norovirus smacks you hard, usually clearing up in a couple of days, but it’s not just a inconvenience—it’s dangerous. For the elderly and immunocompromised, dehydration can turn into a life-or-death issue. Ships should be safe havens, not health hazards.
The cruise operators need to get their act together. Stocking alcohol-free sanitisers and arming crews with decent disinfectants isn’t brain surgery—it’s basic decency. Until they do, passengers are stuck gambling with their guts. If you’re boarding for a cruise pack your own alcohol-free sanitiser and hope the cleaning’s up to snuff. Don’t let norovirus sink your trip.