H1N1 fears caused significant concerns for cruise lines. People even began shorting the stocks of cruise lines anticipating a significant decline in passengers. However, cruise lines responded and have accomodated their paying customers’ desires to avoid illness while at sea. But what simple steps can a passenger take to stay healthy on a cruise?

How do I stay healthy on a cruise?

There are some basic precautions you can take to avoid getting sick at sea. The following are 8 tips for you to follow to have a healthy cruise.

1. Contact your health provider. As soon as you book your cruise, let your health care provider know where you are going and ask which if any vaccinations will be recommended for the areas to which you are cruising. If some vaccinations are needed get them as soon as possible.
2. Remember your prescription medicines. Do not forget to bring your prescription medicines with you on the cruise. It is very important that your medicines are in their original “prescription bottle” and that the dosage instructions are clearly written on the outside of the bottle.
3. Bring along a good multi-vitamin. Eating a well balanced diet is a great way to enhance your immune system. However, everyone knows that when you’re on vacation you may not have the opportunity or take the opportunity to eat as you should! Taking a good multi-vitamin will help you keep your immune system healthy.
4. Wash your hands and don’t touch your face with your hands. No one wants to get the flu, especially when on vacation.  Washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 to 30 seconds is the very best way to fight off germs and viruses. If hand washing is not possible or convenient, use a hand sanitizer or hand wipes that contain 60% or more of alcohol disinfectant. Don’t forget to use a sanitizing wipe in your cabin. Wipe off your door knobs, the clock radio, phone, light switches, sink and toilet handles, and of course the remote control.
5. Observe emergency preparations. Pay close attention while the crew is instructing you as to where you are supposed to go and as to what you are supposed to do in case of an emergency.
6. Keep hydrated.  Your body is over 63% water.  To stay healthy and energized most people need to drink between 7 and 12 cups of water a day.  Water has many health benefits.  Not only is water used to flush out toxins, it also carries nutrients to your cells.  Water also helps regulate your temperature and aids in digestion.  Keep water close by and drink it!  CAUTION:  When you are doing land and shore excursions, never drink anything but SEALED bottled water.  Many foreign countries have contaminated water supplies which contain microscopic organisms that could make you quite sick.  Not a fun way to spend part of your cruise.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.  If you are feeling ill while cruising contact the health care providers on board the ship.  They may have just the thing to help you feel yourself again.  Just follow their instructions. 
8. Tuck a couple surgical masks in your luggage.  Surgical masks are perfect for keeping germs out of you.  These are probably not going to be needed, but when an epidemic breaks out, you never know when you will be wishing you had one of these on hand.  They are also good to always carry when flying as the air circulation in airplanes is reknowned for being poor.

This list is quite simple, but yet a few simple precautions can make for a more enjoyable cruise.

Can I Find out a Ship’s Safety Record on Health from any Government Agencies?

Did you know that ship’s have report cards from recent inspections performed by the CDC?  Well it is true! The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) regularly inspects cruise ships for cleanliness, food preparation, hygiene, water quality, and many other health issue concerns. To find out how your ship’s report card rates go to the Cruise Ship Inspection Results Tool and find out their inspection results.  Search by cruise line or even a particular ship!  Below are some screen shots of this tool.  It’s very handy and not very well known amongst vacationers.  A score of 85 means the ship has ‘Not Satisfactory Scores’.  We took screen shots of Royal Carribean Ships that were all in the upper 90’s below. Now you can be very informed when shopping for a cruise. Before you buy those tickets, make sure you visit the CDC and determine your cruise ship’s safety rating!

Figure 1: A screenshot of the query options. Search by Cruise Ship, Cruise Line, or even find all ships below a certain rating.

Figure 2: Search Results. Select which cruise line you’d like to see the report for. Select the ‘Report’ option.

Figure 3: Select the View/Print Detail Summary.

Figure 4: And now you have a detailed report of what issues the CDC has with the particular cruise ship!