A little common-sense precaution goes a long way. Clean hands, happy cruising. ðŸ’™

Posted on by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

It’s the last morning of our cruise, and I felt like this was worth sharing.

Over the past few days, our ship has gone from 1 reported case of norovirus to 26 guests now quarantined in their cabins. It escalated enough that yesterday the captain made a ship-wide announcement reminding everyone—very clearly—to wash their hands.

You can really see the precautions ramping up. Last night in the main dining room there were no bread baskets, no salt and pepper on the table, and no sugar set out for cappuccinos. Everything is being served one-by-one, staff are seasoning food for guests, and even pens are being sanitized after each use.

What really stood out to me, though, was watching the buffet area earlier in the cruise. I saw countless people walk right past the handwashing stations and the crew member politely asking them to wash their hands— like a silent protest against cleanliness. I also noticed several people leaving restrooms without washing their hands at all. That part was… eye-opening.

Thankfully, our family is coming out unscathed. We’ve been pretty cautious—lots of thorough hand washing, hand sanitizer always with us, especially after elevator buttons and time in the casino.

I also generally avoid cruise ship buffets; but since we were cruising with Holland America, and most of the food in the buffet is actually served by the crew with everyone not having their hands on everything, I ate at the buffet at least once a day. The food was EXCELLENT. I may be a little obsessive about clean hands… and in this case, I’m not mad about it.

This is just a gentle reminder that it is sickness season in cruising—not just norovirus, but a particularly rough strain of the flu as well. Cruises are still wonderful, but a little extra awareness goes a long way.

Wash those hands, use the sanitizer, and take good care of yourselves out there, my friends. 💙

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Published by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

Hi, I’m Kenneth Reece — and I help make unforgettable vacations feel effortless. With 50 cruises under my belt (and more in the works!), I specialize in bucket-list travel experiences for grown-up travelers who want something a little more meaningful, a little more personal, and a lot more fun. Whether you're cruising the blue waters of the Caribbean, exploring the stunning coastlines of Alaska, or soaking in the magic of Europe one cobblestone street at a time — I’m here to help you plan a trip you’ll always remember. Lately, river cruising has completely captured my heart. There’s just something special about waking up each morning in a new European town, with your floating boutique hotel waiting to take you to the next charming stop. I love pairing these river cruises with guided land tours for a perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxation. Princess Cruises has long been one of my favorites at sea, but I’ve sailed with many cruise lines and know how to match each client with the right one for them. I’ve also experienced the Disney magic around the world — from Disneyland and Walt Disney World to Tokyo and Paris — and I bring that same sense of wonder and thoughtful planning into everything I do. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, traveling solo, or just need help making sense of all the choices out there, I’m here to be your guide. I love helping clients as much — or as little — as they prefer. From the first conversation to the moment you return home, you’ll know someone has your back. Let’s make your next trip easy, exciting, and completely tailored to you.