Cruising blends adventure with relaxation while exploring the world. But with so many fellow travelers on board in close quarters, endless temptations at the buffet and open bar, and questionable food and drink choices at ports of call, it’s important to keep your health a priority. Here are three essential tips to help you stay healthy and make the most of your voyage:
Keep Hands in Ship Shape
If cruise ships are full of one thing it’s fomites. Fomites are surfaces contaminated by viruses and bacteria and they are, literally, everywhere on a jam-packed cruise ship. Regular handwashing is your best defense against those germs and keeps you healthy. Make it a habit to wash your hands before eating, after touching railings or door handles and any time you return to your cabin. A quick rinse isn’t enough—use soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds to give germs the boot.
Since walking back to your cabin after touching anything is not practical, carrying hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol can keep you protected from most germs. Unfortunately, the culprit in most cruise ship gastrointestinal illness, Norovirus, isn’t eliminated by hand sanitizer. So, keep your hands away from your mouth to avoid infecting yourself. You might also consider avoiding self-serve buffets – they are some of the biggest culprits in the spread of Norovirus on cruise ships.*
Stay Hydrated and Eat Well
With so many delicious, always-available food options on board, it’s easy to overindulge on your cruise. Try to fill your plate with plenty of fruits, vegetables and lean proteins for balanced nutrition. Indigestion can make for an unpleasant trip, so remember to pack some antacids in your luggage for those times when you have overeaten.
Don’t forget to drink water throughout the day as you lounge by the pool! The ocean breeze and sun can leave you dehydrated before you know it, so keep a refillable water bottle handy. When alcoholic drinks are included, the chances for dehydration increase as does sun stroke and heat exhaustion. Be sure to limit your alcohol intake when spending a lot of time in the sun.
Walk the Decks
A relaxing lounge on deck is great but staying active strolling them is key to feeling your best. Take a brisk walk around the ship, join a shuffleboard game, or swim a few laps in the pool. Even a little movement each day can boost your energy and keep you feeling well throughout your cruise.
While walking around your ports of call, be sure to wear appropriate and “broken-in” footwear to avoid strains, sprains, blisters and other injuries. Cruising to see ancient sites is great but the walkways tend to be old and uneven. Stylish footwear may look great, but it may not bode well for a long day of sightseeing.
If you become ill or injured aboard the ship, it’s good to know that medical care is available on every cruise. If your condition is serious and you have to be medically evacuated from the ship, you’ll want a reliable way to get home to your family and usual doctor. Fly-U-Home International ensures hospital-to-hospital medical repatriation from almost any port-of-call around the world. Unlike many travel insurance policies, Fly-U-Home International members have the entire cost of their medical transport covered by membership and our experienced logistics team ensures a smooth organization of care, translation services and communication with the patient’s family members. Learn more about this membership before you set off on your next cruise adventure.
Bon voyage!
https://www.cruisemapper.com/wiki/1056-cruise-ship-norovirus-outbreaks#:~:text=%EE%80%80Norovirus%EE%80%81%20on%20%EE%80%80ships%EE%80%81
Key Points for Staying Healthy on a Cruise
- Hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol helps against many germs but is ineffective against Norovirus— so avoid touching your mouth and self-serve buffets to reduce illness risk.
Maintain a balanced diet by prioritizing fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, and bring antacids to manage occasional indigestion from overindulgence. - Stay hydrated, especially in the sun, by drinking water throughout the day and limiting alcohol to prevent dehydration and heat-related illnesses.
- Stay active on board with walks, games, or swimming, and wear comfortable, supportive footwear during excursions to prevent injuries.
- If illness or injury occurs, cruise ships provide medical care, but for serious cases, membership with Fly-U-Home International ensures comprehensive medical repatriation and support worldwide.
Fly-U-Home International terms and conditions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions:
When a program provides bedside-to-bedside service, the transport medical team accepts the patient at the bedside in the originating facility and delivers the patient to the bed of the receiving facility.
Yes, although it’s not always possible. It will solely depend on available space on our aircraft. All aircraft have the ability to accommodate a passenger, however, this space could be lost due to additional medical staff or medical equipment.
Anyone that resides in the household.
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