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-   -   any good tips on staying heathly before and during a cruise? (https://www.fodors.com/community/cruises/any-good-tips-on-staying-heathly-before-and-during-a-cruise-921005/)

travel4425 Jan 23rd, 2012 12:32 PM

any good tips on staying heathly before and during a cruise?
 
I will be going a cruise in early march for 11 days. i just keep thinking that i am going to get sick before i go and can’t shake the feeling. I have done a LOT of planning for this and aside from being in a coma plan on going no matter what. I am a seasoned traveler, however these thoughts keep haunting me as I have been to 16 countries, BUT this is my first cruise. I know you can’t cure the cold or the flu, however if i get something like strep throat and need antibiotics does the ship's medical facilities have these? The ship I am going on was built in 2010 so it is as modern as a vessel as you can get.

any thoughts to ease my mind would be greatly appreciated. These 7 weeks before my cruise should be a joyus time, looking forward to the trip, however i can’t get these thoughts out of my head!!

abram Jan 23rd, 2012 02:12 PM

I can't imagine that you'd have any more likelihood of getting sick before a cruise than if you weren't going on a cruise. Do the normal healthy things (eat well, get enough sleep, wash your hands often) and you'll proibably be fine. If you're sick at embarkation, they won't let you board.

Yes, the medical center will have antibiotics.

qwovadis Jan 23rd, 2012 02:55 PM

cruisecritic.com detailed trip reports on your vessel they have everything. mdtravelhealth.com personally bring a medical
kit to save get some antibiotics just in case. Have done a bunch try to eat carefully and exercise usually walk/jog at least 30-45 minutes per day to double my calorie burn for the day, Isample everything try not to pig out especially on the
midnight buffets. No or low alcohol for me keeps me healthy
and out of debt.Casino oddsare uually terrible stay away from those. Do cheap driver guides out of the port to save.

Relax odds are great you will have a fine time if careful.

travel4425 Jan 23rd, 2012 04:56 PM

yeah i am not so worried about getting sick while on the ship, just worried about getting sick before i go. Then again i live in the midwest so i guess the thing that i should worry about is not having one of our famous march ice storms that shuts down the airport.

travel4425 Jan 23rd, 2012 04:58 PM

also how can they really tell if you are sick before you get on. You can fake anything if you really try. I know what when Aisa was having that SARS scare a few years aro, the cutoms in Hong Kong had these heat senors that told people body temps as they walked through. unless the ship has those i think someone with TB could get on.

Eschew Jan 23rd, 2012 11:29 PM

You sign a declaration that you do not have any symptons prior to boarding. They won't pick you out of a line up unless you are really sick.

Best advise I can offer is wash your hands often (sanitize will do the trick), do not touch anything "public" i.e. hand rails etc. If you touch them, wash your hands or santize your hands. Minimize conatcts with potential germs infested things.

Eat healthy, and do not try "strange food" or things that are greasy or heavy (thich cream sauce come to mind.

Plan for potential motion sickness (unless you know you are good) and see your doctor and get a prescription.

The ship's medical facility is decent but not cheap.

You really can't avoid "undecalred" illness. I knew someone who come across passengers on a plane that has TB, so crusie ships are not the only place that you can catch bad germs.

diann24 Jan 31st, 2012 05:22 PM

You can do things that enpower you and make you feel as though you are taking a "proactive' stand heneforth decreasing your fear. Start eating yogurt for the digestion now, and while on the trip. or take some of those pills that help the digestive system probiotics in addition. When you board the ship and in your state room cleanse it down with wipes when you board. all knobs etc. disinfect your room as best you can. Of course wash your hands etc. We have been on about 11 cruises and I was sick on one of them Not fun for sure. I did go again after that a few years later, but it is always a concern but nothing you can do about it and worrying won't help. You can take antibiotics but that won't help a virus. Try and enjoy yourself and stop worrying or else you will make yourself sick.

Eschew Feb 2nd, 2012 02:39 PM

Stop worrying and start living. The more germs you come in contact on a regular basis, the stronger your immune systems.

The dirties place that you most often come in contact with is the steering wheel of a rent a car. The other "hot spot" for contacting germs are wearing sandles (no socks). I would assume you will drive a rental car and wear sandles walking through your local mall with no fear, so you should be fine!


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