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Don't Get Too Close...You May Catch Something!!!

OK, now that I've gotten your attention...

I wasn't really on a ship of death. However, our group did experience illness on our recent cruise to  Mexico. And by that, I don't mean due to sampling the fine cuisine of our neighbors to the south of our US border. I mean that we had GI (GastroIntestinal) outbreak of a fairly large scale. When we first boarded the ship, everyone had to answer a rather detailed questionnaire regarding their bodily functions over the last several weeks. My adult niece kept telling everyone in our group, "Answer "no" to everything...just say "no", or they'll pull you aside for questioning." Well, fortunately, no one in my immediate family had been ill, so we didn't have any problem answering the questionnaire truthfully.

Apparently, the cruise line we traveled on had reported that they had NEVER experienced a problem of any consequence in this area, a fact about which they were quite proud. We filled in our questionnaires (as we had done on a previous cruise, as well), and I really didn't give it any further thought...until a couple of days later...when we heard the announcement over the "P.A" while cocktailing in my dad's suite. Knowing now what I didn't know then, I wonder if the outbreak had already started...

On came the Captain's heavily accented voice:

"Good evening, ladies and gentleman. This is your Captain, Olaf van der Olaf (or some such name), and I have a very important announcement. XYZ Cruise Lines has always been very proud of our exemplary health record on our ships. It is with that in mind that I regret to inform you that we appear to have a very contagious form of a stomach virus on the ship. We have had many cases reported to our infirmary and many people needing assistance from our onboard nurse. It is for this reason that we must resort to CDC (Center for Disease Control) Guidelines at this time. From now on, there should be no shaking of hands...No shaking of hands. That will help keep us from spreading the disease. Also, if you do find yourself with symptoms, we request that you stay confined to your room for a minimum of 48 hours. That's 48 hours."

The message went on and on, and initially, we all laughed about it a little, etc. However, we knew that my brother-in-law was sick in his room at that very moment, and one other member of our family had already exhibited similar symptoms, but we weren't sure if that had been motion sickness or the virus. Who could be sure? So, my brother-in-law was confined to his room for 48 hours. On top of that, the stewards were not allowed to visit their room for an additional 48 hours after that.

After the announcement, my Big Strong Man and my college aged nephew were out on my dad's fabulous deck on the fantail of the ship (what an amazing view!). They came in with an announcement of their own, complete with feigned accent:

"Attention, family members, from now on, instead of shaking hands, you can choose from two methods to greet one another:

• You can "Pop It": (demonstrating our family's "hip" way of greeting each other by bumping fists and "popping the hand away; writing truly can't do this justice...)
• Or you can do the "Elbow Bump": (demonstrated by turning to the side and lifting one's elbow to the center and bumping it into the other person's elbow)

Technically, the Pop It touches skin, so the preferred method will be the Elbow Bump. Everyone give it a try."

Being the jovial geeks that we are, we all exploded in laughter and started bumping elbows. The next thing you know, we had the whole ship doing it! It was pretty funny. Seriously, though, it lightened up a bummer of a situation.

For more info on cruising with your family:

Prepping Your Family for a Cruise
More Tips for Your Family Cruise
Bon Voyage on Your Family Cruise!