Going on a Cruise? Here’s How to Stay Healthy Onboard

By Ivan PetrenkoMay 18, 2024 00:30 AMNews
Share:
White cruise ship during sunset
White cruise ship during sunset. Source: unsplash

Viruses and bacteria spread quickly on ships, but experts say good hygiene and advance planning can help you keep sickness at bay. Cruise ships are well-known incubators of gastrointestinal illnesses, with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offering a database of cases by year. Although most cruises don't experience issues, the confined spaces mean even one sick person can create a serious situation, explains Tullia Marcolongo, former executive director of the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers. "It’s the domino effect, and you have nowhere to go," she says.

What Cruise Companies Do to Minimize Risks

Cruise companies strive to maintain cleanliness and monitor health onboard. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Carnival Cruise Line has implemented expanded protocols, including enhanced sanitation measures and pre-boarding medical evaluations. Royal Caribbean Cruises highlights its health and safety program, which includes frequent inspections, water system testing, and strict food handling rules.

How to Protect Your Health Onboard

Passengers play a crucial role in maintaining their health. "The first thing I would say is that the power is in your hands," Marcolongo says. Frequent hand washing is essential to prevent norovirus, colds, and other illnesses. She recommends singing "Happy Birthday" twice to ensure thorough cleaning and using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available. Ships often provide sanitizer stands for passenger use.

Infectious disease specialist David Parenti advises being mindful of touching surfaces like handrails and avoiding contact with your face until you can wash your hands. Despite precautions, there are many ways to get sick on both ship and land. "It all has to do with luck," Parenti says. "If you’re on a ship with norovirus, that’s bad luck."

Give Yourself a Pre-Cruise Check-Up

Travelers should schedule a pre-vacation doctor’s appointment to ensure their immunizations are current. Depending on the destination, vaccines like the flu shot might be necessary even in summer. Parenti also recommends vaccines for Hepatitis A and checking immunity to measles.

Packing a first-aid kit and standard over-the-counter medications, such as Loperamide (Imodium) and oral rehydration salts, is a smart move due to limited medical supplies onboard. Miami-based attorney Jack Hickey advises getting trip insurance that covers air ambulance transportation to avoid high costs in emergencies.

If You Do Get Sick

Be realistic about the level of medical care available on a ship. Hickey advises, "If you get sick or injured, get back to the U.S. as quickly as possible." Cruise ships, while excellent at hospitality, often lack adequate medical facilities and staff to handle serious health issues. "It’s not a hospital, but a ship carrying 3,000 to 6,000 people and going to isolated areas of the world," Hickey says.

Mental health can also be a concern during a cruise, especially for those prone to anxiety or claustrophobia. A cruise quarantine can exacerbate these issues, and travel insurance may not cover mental health problems.

Ventilation Considerations

As scientists learn more about virus transmission, there may be increased scrutiny of cruise ship ventilation systems. Unlike hospitals, which can have rooms with frequent air exchanges, most cruise ship accommodations lack this feature. Parenti suggests opting for a cabin with a window for better air circulation.

By following these tips and maintaining good hygiene, passengers can enjoy their cruise while minimizing health risks.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Airplane with Star Alliance livery parked at gate at the airport

Star Alliance and ÖBB Partner to Boost Train-Flight Integration

Mar 26, 2025 23:37 PM
Dark railway tunnel with visible train tracks leading to a lit station exit

Weekend Rail Works to Disrupt Derbyshire Routes

Mar 26, 2025 21:41 PM

Wizz Air Broadens Budapest Access with New Summer Routes

Mar 26, 2025 19:26 PM

Bus Industry Struggles Raises Travel Worries

Mar 26, 2025 17:38 PM
Empty airport seating area with view of terminal and aircraft in the background

Munich Airport Launches Summer Routes Expanding Global Access

Mar 25, 2025 22:44 PM
Striped pillows on a neatly made hotel bed in a bright, modern room

IHG to Open First Garner Hotel in Edinburgh with Central Location and Low Rates

Mar 25, 2025 20:27 PM
AirAsia aircraft parked at the gate of a Southeast Asian airport terminal

AirAsia Expands Digital-Only Fare Access for ASEAN Travellers

Mar 25, 2025 18:31 PM
Man holding a sign during a public demonstration under clear blue skies

Widespread Strikes to Disrupt Travel Across Italy in April

Mar 25, 2025 16:46 PM
Emirates aircraft approaching runway during landing

Emirates Extra Eid Flights Ease Travel Rush for Middle East Passengers

Mar 25, 2025 14:29 PM

VisitEngland Updates Website to Guide Travelers Better

Mar 25, 2025 12:32 PM

Japan Airlines Adds Baggage Same-Day Delivery at Two More Airports

Mar 24, 2025 17:26 PM
Man waiting at Nottingham Train Station with a travel bag

Advance Fares Boost Access to Nottinghamshire Destinations

Mar 24, 2025 15:38 PM
AirAsia aircraft taking off under a partly cloudy sky

AirAsia Adds New Routes for Thai Travellers

Mar 24, 2025 13:53 PM
Travelers pulling luggage through a nearly empty airport check-in area

Stricter U.S. Border Checks Alarm European Travelers

Mar 23, 2025 23:59 PM
Empty row of airplane seats next to windows at an airport gate

Stricter Seat Rules May Hit Hawaii Flights

Mar 23, 2025 21:58 PM

Air Canada Launches New Café for Domestic Travelers in Montréal

Mar 22, 2025 16:33 PM

New Credit Cards Offer Tailored Benefits for Travellers in Belgium

Mar 22, 2025 14:46 PM
Railway worker repairing tracks during maintenance

Rail Closures to Disrupt Windsor Travel

Mar 22, 2025 12:27 PM
Spacious interior of Zurich Airport terminal with passengers seated near large glass windows

New European and North American Destinations from Zurich in 2025

Mar 22, 2025 10:31 AM
Modern hotel room with ambient lighting, large bed, and neutral décor

Hilton Announces Global Expansion for 2025

Mar 22, 2025 08:44 AM
Interior of Liverpool John Lennon Airport with illuminated Liverpool sign and currency exchange area

Security Lane Upgrades at Liverpool Airport May Disrupt Travel Plans

Mar 22, 2025 06:29 AM
Busy Glasgow street with double-decker First Bus buses and historic architecture

Smart Travel Options Unveiled for Glasgow Matchday

Mar 22, 2025 04:32 AM

New Flight Routes Make Sardinia More Accessible for Travelers in 2025

Mar 21, 2025 23:35 PM

British Travellers Urged to Check Passport Validity Rules Before Easter Holidays

Mar 21, 2025 21:44 PM
Burgas Airport departures terminal with travelers outside on a sunny day

Bulgarian Airports to Upgrade Landside Services

Mar 21, 2025 19:23 PM
A group of jockeys riding racehorses at full speed on a sandy racetrack, kicking up dust as they round a bend

Integrated Bus Service Enhances Travel to Scottish Grand National

Mar 21, 2025 17:34 PM