87-year-old Royal Caribbean passenger Bob Pettit…
A Royal Caribbean cruise vacationer who has championed the sea for most of his retirement isn’t letting his current journey, spoiled by a nasty bout of norovirus operating rampant on the ship, deter him from planning a twenty sixth journey.
Bob Pettit, 87, is one of almost 100 passengers aboard the Royal Caribbean International ship Serenade of the Seas who fell unwell with the norovirus shortly after disembarking from San Diego.
The 13-day cruise leaves little room to breathe with stops in Mexico, Costa Rica and Colombia – none of which Pettit and his son Josh have been in a position to absolutely take pleasure in.
Bob Pettit is one of almost 100 passengers who fell unwell with norovirus on a Royal Caribbean ship. NBC
“I’m 87 years old, I’ve never been this sick in my life,” Pettit lamented to NBC 6.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that the bout is a licensed outbreak, one of many noticed aboard cruise ships this 12 months.
As of Wednesday, 94 passengers and 4 crew members reported being unwell, according to the CDC.
“It really hits you hard. Violently,” Pettit told the outlet.
“It starts with an upset stomach,” he explained, noting that it only really obtained to him a few days into the cruise.
“I’m 87 years old, I’ve never been this sick in my life,” Pettit told NBC 6. NBC
Other common norovirus symptoms embrace diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches and a fever, according to the CDC.
Norovirus outbreaks are common on cruise ships and other large gatherings in contained areas.
The best means to stop the unfold in such close quarters is to quarantine, which Pettit did, but even then it wasn’t enough to plug the outbreak.
His son Josh said they’ll take into account taking further precautions to keep away from catching the virus in the future.
“You’re touching chairs, salt and pepper shakers, and we’re definitely thinking more about that and trying to keep your hands clean before you touch your food,” Josh told the outlet.
Royal Caribbean assured that its crew is doing every thing they will to stop additional unfold and ease passengers through the last leg of the journey.
Pettit is planning another cruise despite falling unwell with norovirus on a ship. NBC
“The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority. To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines,” Royal Caribbean said in a assertion.
The father-son duo remained in high spirits and refused to let the sickness put a damper on their journey – or future plans for a staggering twenty sixth cruise trip.
“Hopefully, things have turned the corner here and things are getting better,” Josh told the outlet.
The outbreak occurred aboard the Royal Caribbean International ship Serenade of the Seas. Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Their current cruise is scheduled to return Miami on Thursday.
So far, a whopping 19 gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruises have been reported to the CDC this 12 months, including 14 brought about by norovirus.
Three of the norovirus outbreaks occured on Royal Caribbean ships.
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