NOROVIRUS On cruise ships, the illness is typically spread through person-to-person contact by touching surfaces someone with the virus previously had contact with, not from food or water. So, guests should heed their mother's advice and wash their hands! The best way to prevent illness is to wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and warm water. What are the chances of getting norovirus? The CDC estimates that 23 million people in the U.S. - or eight percent of the population - contract norovirus each year; that's 1 in 12 people. In contrast, far less than one percent of all U.S. cruise guests are affected by the norovirus annually; that's 1 in 3600 people. The few cruise guests who experience symptoms should follow the guidance of the ship's medical staff to prevent the spread of the illness to fellow passengers. In addition to taking individual precautions, be assured that cruise lines are vigilant in keeping a clean ship. Rigorous cleaning procedures are in place to disinfect and sanitize public areas including handles, railings, elevator buttons and slot machine levers, to name just a few. In fact, according to the CDC, cruise lines have the highest sanitation standards in the world! For additional information, including more information on norovirus, tips for staying healthy on a cruise and proper hand-washing techniques, please visit the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program Web Site at www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp or www.cdc.gov For more information call the Travel Organizers or fill out our quick quote request form and one of our travel professionals will respond shortly. Call any one of our three offices: Denver Tech Center - 303-771-1178 Southglenn Mall Area - 303-730-7777 Downtown Denver - 303-383-5050 Travel Organizers/American Express who has been in Denver for over 24 years can help you make reservations with just one call. ---------