Going on a cruise soon and want to make the most of your trip? Don’t get sick! 😊   It is something we think about and proactively manage every time we get onboard a ship.  It seems every week we hear about how many people got sick on a cruise ship, so it is always top of mind.  We typically have a lot of excursions planned and lots of interesting ports to visit, so it is important that we are feeling great.  We also don’t want to catch something and then risk passing it to someone on the ship.  Reducing the risk of getting sick on a cruise ship requires a proactive approach to hygiene and wellness.

Here are some techniques we use to reduce the risk of getting sick on a cruise ship.

• Get lots of quality sleep – Getting plenty of sleep is essential for maintaining a strong immune system, which is especially important when cruising. On a ship, you’re in close proximity to many passengers, which can increase exposure to germs and viruses. Adequate sleep allows your body to produce infection-fighting proteins called cytokines and supports the repair and regeneration of cells, boosting your ability to ward off illnesses. Sleep also helps reduce stress, which can weaken your immune defenses. By prioritizing rest, you’re giving your body the resilience it needs to stay healthy and fully enjoy your cruise adventure.
• Wash your hands – Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating and after touching shared surfaces like railings or elevator buttons.  I typically wash my hands constantly because sometimes, I don’t remember what I touched and it takes less than a minute to do so.  Better to be safe than sorry.  Your cabin is never really that far away anyway and if it is, it is a good way to get some additional exercise. It probably makes good practice to wash your hands every time you enter your cabin.
• Use a hand sanitizer – If you are in port or just walking around the ship, you are probably touching a lot of things, if you are not able to wash your hands immediately, use a hand sanitizer.  You will find these conveniently located in various locations on the ship near food venues. Using hand sanitizer offers several benefits, especially in situations where soap and water are not readily available. Here are the key advantages:

1. Kills Germs Quickly: Hand sanitizers, particularly those with at least 60% alcohol, are highly effective at killing most bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that can cause illnesses, reducing the risk of infections like colds, flu, and COVID-19.
2. Convenience and Portability: Hand sanitizers are portable and easy to use on the go, making them an excellent option for maintaining hand hygiene in public places, during travel, in port, or when soap and water aren’t accessible.
3. Reduces Spread of Germs: Regular use of hand sanitizer helps prevent the transfer of germs to and from commonly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, railings, and electronic devices, protecting both you and those around you.

While hand sanitizer is a convenient tool for hygiene, it’s most effective when used in combination with proper handwashing practices and other health measures.

• Be aware of sick passengers: Being aware of sick people on a cruise ship helps you take precautions to protect yourself, such as maintaining distance, practicing good hygiene, and minimizing your risk of exposure to contagious illnesses.  Try to stay away from people that are coughing, sneezing, blowing their nose, etc. If you are in the dining room and the person next to you is coughing, ask the maître d to move you to another table.   We have done this on prior cruises and the Maitre-d is more than happy to accommodate.  Listen listen, listen for signs.
• Minimize use of elevators:  Taking the stairs instead of elevators on a cruise ship is a great way to stay active, avoid crowded spaces, and enjoy a quicker, hassle-free way to navigate the ship.  If someone is sick in the elevator and coughing, it will be very difficult to avoid getting germs.
• Minimize touching surfaces: Minimizing contact with surfaces on a cruise ship reduces your exposure to germs, helping to lower the risk of picking up and spreading illnesses. Avoid using your finger to press elevator buttons, instead use your knuckle.  When climbing the stairs, avoid using the handrails.   Surfaces to be aware of: elevators, cabin doors, touch screens, dispensers in the buffet, hand rails, chairs, and doors everywhere on the ship.
• Avoid touching your face:  Avoid touching your face with your hands on a cruise ship to reduce the risk of transferring germs from surfaces to your eyes, nose, or mouth, where infections can easily enter your body.
• Wipe down your cabin when you first arrive: Wiping down your cabin upon arrival helps eliminate lingering germs on high-touch surfaces, ensuring a clean and sanitary environment for the duration of your cruise.
• Get some fresh air:  Getting fresh air on a cruise ship helps improve your mood, boost energy levels, and support overall well-being during your voyage. It also reduces your exposure to recycled air in enclosed spaces, lowering the risk of respiratory discomfort or illness.

• Don’t use hot tubs:  Avoiding hot tubs on a cruise ship can help reduce your risk of exposure to bacteria and viruses that may thrive in improperly sanitized water. Additionally, the warm water and close quarters make it easier for germs to spread among multiple users.
• Be mindful of crowd levels or high traffic areas:  Staying away from crowds and high-traffic areas on a cruise ship reduces your risk of exposure to germs and contagious illnesses, which can spread quickly in close quarters. It also allows you to enjoy a more relaxing and stress-free environment during your voyage.
• Avoid taking any new medication on a cruise ship in case something happens: Avoid taking new medication on a cruise ship because you may experience unexpected side effects or allergic reactions that could be challenging to manage while at sea. It’s safer to try new medications under the supervision of your doctor before traveling to ensure they suit your needs.

As I mentioned above, as a starter,  wash your hands and use a sanitizer!

• Be the first:  Eating first thing when the buffet opens reduces your risk of germ exposure by avoiding crowded areas where more people are touching food stations and utensils. The earlier you go, the fresher and less contaminated the food is, as fewer guests have had the chance to interact with it.

• Be selective:  In the buffet area, select the food that is furthest away from you.  For example, in the bread area, instead of selecting the bread in front of you, reach back and select the bread higher up in the tray.  This area is well behind the glass and hopefully further away from high volume traffic and coughing spells, easy finger touching, etc.
• Avoid raw or undercooked meat: Be careful when choosing food, and avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products. Avoiding raw or undercooked food on a cruise ship reduces your risk of foodborne illnesses, which can be harder to manage while at sea. Cooking food thoroughly ensures harmful bacteria and parasites are eliminated, promoting better digestive health during your trip.
• Drink bottled water: Stay hydrated by drinking bottled water and maintain a healthy diet to support your immune system.
• Avoid salad or raw vegetables:  Avoiding salad on a cruise ship can help reduce the risk of consuming contaminated raw vegetables, which may be exposed to bacteria or viruses during handling and storage.
• Eat ginger: Taking ginger can help reduce the chance of getting a cold because it has natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties that support the immune system. Ginger can help promote circulation, soothe the throat, and may also help the body fight off viruses and bacteria, providing a natural defense against colds.
• Take vitamin C: Taking vitamin C before and during a cruise can help boost your immune system, reducing the risk of getting sick while surrounded by large groups of people. This essential nutrient also supports overall health, helping your body recover quickly if exposed to germs or viruses during your trip.

• Where to travel and when: If you’re prone to seasickness, the best time to travel by cruise ship is during seasons when the seas tend to be calmer, typically in the late spring and early fall, avoiding the rougher winter months or peak hurricane season. As for destinations, cruising in regions with relatively calm waters, such as the Mediterranean, Alaska, or the Baltic, can be ideal, as these areas tend to have smoother seas compared to more turbulent destinations like the Caribbean or the North Atlantic. Additionally, cruises that travel closer to the coast or along protected waterways, like the Norwegian Fjords or the Inside Passage in Alaska, generally offer a more stable cruising experience.

• Book midship cabin with veranda: The best cabin on a cruise ship to reduce seasickness is typically located in the middle of the ship, on a lower deck, as this area experiences less motion compared to cabins at the front or back. Choosing a cabin near the waterline with easy access to fresh air, such as one with a veranda, can also help stabilize your balance and ease nausea.
• Eat light, frequent meals: Keeping your stomach full can help reduce the chances of seasickness because it stabilizes blood sugar levels and prevents an empty stomach, which can worsen nausea. Eating light, frequent meals helps maintain balance in the digestive system, making it less likely to react to the motion of the ship.
• Eat saltine crackers and drink ginger ale: Saltine crackers can alleviate seasickness by soothing the stomach and reducing nausea. Ginger contains compounds that help relax the stomach muscles and reduce inflammation, while the carbonation in ginger ale may help settle the stomach. Saltine crackers provide a bland, starchy food that can absorb excess stomach acid, easing digestive discomfort and stabilizing blood sugar levels, both of which help combat the symptoms of seasickness.
• Stay hydrated: Staying hydrated is crucial if you’re prone to seasickness because dehydration can worsen symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. Proper hydration helps maintain your body’s balance and ensures that your system functions optimally, reducing the likelihood of seasickness and making it easier for your body to recover if you start feeling unwell.
• Reduce alcohol intake: Reducing alcohol intake is important if you’re prone to seasickness because alcohol can dehydrate the body, which exacerbates nausea and dizziness. Additionally, alcohol can impair your balance and coordination, making it harder for your body to adjust to the motion of the ship, increasing the likelihood of experiencing seasickness.
• Take motion sickness medication: Many ships offer motion sickness medications like Dramamine and Bonine, but you can also take them before you board. Make sure to test these medications before you get on the ship, in case you suffer from side effects.
• Eat Ginger: Apparently, ginger ale does not have ginger in it, so eating pure ginger is the best.  Eating ginger on a cruise ship can help alleviate seasickness and nausea, as it is known for its natural ability to settle the stomach and reduce motion sickness symptoms. Additionally, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, which can support overall digestive health during your voyage.

Anchors away, until another day!