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Norwegian Sun
photo ©NCL
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"A cruise ship is one of the safest and cleanest environments in which a consumer can spend a vacation" says Susan Robison, director of public relations for Norwegian Cruise Line. "NCL takes great pride in the efforts that go into keeping it that way."
Only the common cold is reported more frequently than gastrointestinal viruses, or gastroenteritis. NLV accounts for about a third of the reported illnesses, and although the shipboard outbreaks have made news, the virus is not at all
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uncommon. Avoiding it can be simple: Lots and lots of handwashing.
Holland America
Amsterdam
photo courtesy HALW
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"Studies have proven," says Elvejord, "that school kids who wash their hands several times a day are 30% less likely to miss school due to illness. One of the best ways to stay healthy, whether avoiding NLV or a cold, is to keep your hands clean."
Holland America Line notified its passengers of the decision to cancel the November 21 sailing and has offered several alternatives including a full refund and discount on a future cruise.
The cancellation was entirely
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Holland America's Amsterdam is the latest to make big headlines, with four outbreaks in the past few weeks. Holland America Line has cancelled the Amsterdam's Thanksgiving sailing, a 10-day "Southern Caribbean Seafarer" departing from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) in order to thoroughly disinfect the ship.
The Centers for Disease Control is overseeing the cleanup. An investigation by the agency reported that the virus was being spread from person to person and that no food nor water had been contaminated.
"This 10-day period will give us the time to make sure that the ship is pristine, and ready to sail on December 1," said spokesman Erik Elvejord of Holland America. "We'll go through every crevice and eradicate whatever is there so that our passengers can have full confidence in the Amsterdam when she sails again."
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