Antiseptic hand wash

[Christiaan, Ocean Shores]

Many cruise lines offer antiseptic hand wash in restaurant and buffet areas.

On the last cruise I noticed a strange unpleasant taste in my mouth and thinking it was the awful coffee I stopped drinking it. The taste remained until the end of the cruise then disappeared.

Many months later at home I used an instant antiseptic hand wash and noticed exactly the same taste after eating.

Before it is pointed out that people use cutlery
there were bread rolls which were served with the meals .

I am curious to know if anyone else has had the same experience.

[Aplmac, Barbados]

Hand-gel? -maybe not..

Last year, I was fortunate to do a behind-the-scenes tour
on an RCI Radiance Class vessel.

I left impressed by the level of effort and expense
that he and his vessel go to, to keep the seas as clean as possible.


Their Environmental Officer who conducted the tour was a forthcoming chap
and since we were a group of hoteliers(myself excepted)
interested in how systems work
we had the impression he wasn't holding back.


The stuff we learned,that day!


-and the places we went!



While discussing NoroVirus,etc.
I pointedly asked about the squirty-gel thing we have so much faith in?
but it didn't score very high, in his opinion.

I think there's no substitute for a proper washing of the hands -with soap

.

[Christiaan, Ocean Shores]

Last year, I was fortunate to do a behind-the-scenes tour
on an RCI Radiance Class vessel.

While discussing NoroVirus,etc.
I pointedly asked about the squirty-gel thing we have so much faith in?
but it didn't score very high, in his opinion.

I think there's no substitute for a proper washing of the hands -with soap

.

I am in total agreement Aplmac, usually I had touched nothing more than a handrail since showering etc in the cabin. But then many hands touched that rail en route to the dining room.

I will experiment with the hand gel one more time just to satisfy my curiosity.

Wonderful photos, by the way.

PS On second thoughts I could wear white gloves until seated at the table ..........brings to mind poor Michael Jackson and his phobias.

[Harry, Hastings]

We all worry about touching surfaces, making use of gel etc. whilst cruising (myself included) but how often do you see the use of gels at land based restaurants where you still have doors to open etc.

[Malcolm, Essex]

Not using handrails on a moving ship is especially risky for the more mature cruiser! A broken pelvis is infinitely worse than the Norovirus for most.

[Aplmac, Barbados]

Not using handrails on a moving ship is especially risky for the more mature cruiser!
A broken pelvis is infinitely worse than the Norovirus for most.

Very true.

You and I are not there yet but there may be a day
when we too cling on like the elderly, going on before us!
.

[Harvey, Bristol upon Cream]

Many cruise lines offer antiseptic hand wash in restaurant and buffet areas.

On the last cruise I noticed a strange unpleasant taste in my mouth and thinking it was the awful coffee I stopped drinking it. The taste remained until the end of the cruise then disappeared.

Many months later at home I used an instant antiseptic hand wash and noticed exactly the same taste after eating.

Before it is pointed out that people use cutlery
there were bread rolls which were served with the meals .

I am curious to know if anyone else has had the same experience.

Some hand gels 'taste' more than others. You almost can't help but touch your lips at some point so you are bound to get the gel into your taste buds. Not very pleasant. But, it's the lesser of two evils.

However, and I've said this many times now on the forum - gel does not kill the Norovirus BUT hot soapy water does. The gel will help with other bugs.

Some hospitals, when they have an outbreak of the Norovirus on a ward, remove the hand gel to encourage hand washing.

The Norovirus usually only lasts 12-24 hours but you are infectious for a further 48 hours hence ships quarantine you for that period. Hospital staff are not allowed back to work for 48 hours after last symptoms. It's a very infectious bug.

[Christiaan, Ocean Shores]

Very true.

You and I are not there yet but there may be a day
when we too cling on like the elderly, going on before us!
.

Hmmm elderly ..........

I take it neither you nor Malcolm wear drop dead gorgeous stiletto heeled sandals ? Try walking up or down stairs while wearing them without touching , just touching , barely brushing one's fingertips along ,definitely NOT clinging , to the hand rails . :D

[Christiaan, Ocean Shores]

Not using handrails on a moving ship is especially risky for the more mature cruiser! A broken pelvis is infinitely worse than the Norovirus for most.

Of course it is , well said . Back to the white gloves ........

[Hampshire Thorn, Fareham]

Hmmm elderly ..........

I take it neither you nor Malcolm wear drop dead gorgeous stiletto heeled sandals ? Try walking up or down stairs while wearing them without touching , just touching , barely brushing one's fingertips along ,definitely NOT clinging , to the hand rails . :D

Now that would be a photo for Aplmac to publish - he and Malcolm wearing stilettos!!!???

[MarieC, Troon]

I am in my mature years, not quite elderly, and do still like a nice high heel for formal nights and so it is sometimes necessary to touch the handrails when going down stairs. I know it's paranoia but I keep a paper hankie in my hand then dispose of it. Same with toilet door handles after washing my hands. This is because of the small number of people that I notice do not wash their hands and leave the bathroom only pausing to check themselves in the mirror. My husband tells me that some men are noticably guilty of this (not the mirror bit) Aghhhhhhhhhh!

I totally agree that soap and water is best but as we sometimes can't avoid touching handrails etc the hand-gels should be obligatory at the restaurants and supervised more. Sorry about it tasting but I can't think of another way of minimising the danger to others.

It really worries me that some people just DONT use them. They are then using the serving spoons at the buffet which others have to use afterwards. When I asked one person why he didn't use the gel he said he didn't like the feeling. Another guy wouldn't wait until the empty container was replaced and brushed past the queue of folk waiting for it making some kind of remark that we were keeping him back. :mad:Aghhhhhhhhhh (perhaps this should be posted in that thread).

btw This is not only elderly people as has been mentioned in another thread. :p

[Aplmac, Barbados]

Wobble wobble, poor Malcolm!

Now that would be a photo for Aplmac to publish
- he and Malcolm wearing stilettos!!??

Malcolm and I have planned a get-together, out here in Barbados
to do just that shot, for the amusement of you all. :D

He's wearing the drop-dead-gorgeous stiletto-heeled sandals
I'm wearing whatever my wife will lend me(I hate to think)


Should be an interesting photo shoot!

.

[tenpin, Basingstoke]

You could try this method which served me well during my years on a building site.

Rub hands in dirt, clean out bins, empty dustbag in hoover, trim hedge, then eat sandwiches.

Never had a cold or upset tummy for 30 years, then retired now forever washing hands and getting colds and flu.

[Aplmac, Barbados]

Rub hands in dirt, clean out bins,
empty dustbag in Hoover, trim hedge,
then eat sandwiches.

Never had a cold or upset tummy for 30 years, then retired
- now forever washing hands and getting colds and flu.

That's because you've gone and upset your natural equilibrium,haven't you!
.

[jc, liverpool]

Not using handrails on a moving ship is especially risky for the more mature cruiser! A broken pelvis is infinitely worse than the Norovirus for most.

Hi
Holding handrails is a must when going up/down stairs,just the same as not putting your hands in your pockets.
Regard gel dispensers,you dont even have to stop,you just pass your hand under when passing.
JC