H1N1 Flu

Since we were past passengers on  Holland American cruises we were invited to board early and attend a sit down lunch in the diningroom.  We arrived at approx,

11:45 and our luggage was taken from our car.  When we checked in we were given a letter stating  that the ship was being sanitized due to a

outbreak of the H!N! flu and that we would not be able to board until 2 O'clock. I was told that there were very few people who came down with the flu,

and this was just a precaution.  We live close to the pier and would have .appreciated an e mail letting us know of the problem and delay.  Also, we were given a choice of canceling the cruise and get a refund, or rebooking the cruise for another date.

This cruise was a Panama Canal cruise and we booked the last segment to Mexico.  At about 2 o'clock we boarded the ship, were we met many passengers who were on the entire cruise.  They told us that this was the 2nd time the ship had been RED FLAGED by the BD. Of Health and had

to be sanitized, and that there were many passengers that were ill.  If I had been given the correct information prior to boarding the ship I doubt

that I would have taken the cruise.  Special cleaning precautions were taken during the entire cruise, but we were very concerned about getting

sick , which took way the enjoyment we normally experience on a the Holland American Cruise.

I received  a questionaire from the cruise agency that I booked  with via e mailed  and informed them of my experience.  They told me that normally when there is a problem like this the agency is informed and they contact the passengers.  The agency was not made aware of the problem.

I would not recommend eating lunch or diner in the Buffet.  Any meat I was served was either raw, not rare. with lots of grizzle - or so well done it

was as tough .which was a shame. I was told all the food for the diningroom as well as the buffet was prepared by the same cooks in the same kitchen.  Also, our room was next to an emergency exit, which thank g-d was not needed - there was

a strange banging noise every night which woke me.

On the positive side the room we had was very nice, all the people who worked on the ship were wonderful.  Unlike the food in the buffet the food

in the diningroom was very, very good.