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Looking After Your Health During Your Cruise

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Your Health During Your Cruise

A lot of people assume that cruise ships are a bit of a hotbed for germs, viruses and other nasties you won’t want to pick up. Actually, they’re far from it. The likelihood of catching a stomach bug or a bad cough on a cruise is less than 1 percent according to various health authorities. That’s because cruise lines take the health of their guests and the hygiene of their ships super seriously.

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With that said, if somebody falls sick on a cruise ship, the closed environment, and the fact that guests share just about everything within it, means that illness can spread fast. To make sure this doesn’t happen, we’ve put together a collection of top tips that can help make sure you, your friends and your family can stay healthy and happy while you’re at sea.

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How to stay healthy on a cruise

So, how can you prevent illness on a cruise ship?


Fairly easily, actually, as long as you get in the habit of the following over the course of your holiday…

Are you more likely to get sick on a cruise ship?

It’s a question that’s often asked by first-time cruisers, but it’s one that’s well worth answering. If you’re worried about getting seasick on a cruise, then we’ve got some good news for you: you probably won’t.

Cruise ships are huge. That means the chances of it wobbling are very slim.

MSC World Europa - MSC Cruises
The MSC World Europa

They’re also equipped with large wing-like stabilisers, and these computer-controlled gizmos help to counteract the motion of the sea.

With that said, if you’ve never sailed before, then it might take some time to get used to being on a moving ship. But everyone has to get their sea legs – consider it a cruise rite of passage!

Navigator of the Seas - Royal Caribbean
The Navigator of the Seas

What foods not to eat on a cruise

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It’s easy to overindulge during your time at sea. Sometimes it can be one of the best parts, in fact. But if you’re prone to seasickness or have a sensitive stomach, then there are certain foods that you may want to skip, including:

- High-fat or spicy foods that could irritate the lining of the stomach and worsen nausea

- Greasy foods also have the same effect, and can also slow down digestion too

- Foods that look like they’ve been sat at room temperature for a while, such as wilted salads or fish with a grey/blue or glossy appearance

- Rich, creamy sauces that can break down quickly over time

Do cruises have doctors on board?

Yes. All major cruise lines have at least one doctor and two or more nurses onboard, and they’ll be available 24/7 should you need them.

Any cruise line which is part of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is required to have medical staff onboard that meet the guidelines of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), which are as follows:

A Treatment room in a medical facility

- Licensed with three years of post-licensing experience

- Experience in or board certification in emergency, family or internal medicine. If the ship allows children, then the right certification in paediatric care is also needed.

- At least one doctor must be certified in advanced trauma life support care.

- Cardiovascular, sedation and minor surgical skills are also required.

A Group of Doctors and Nurses looking down at the camera

A cruise health checklist: Things to do before you set sail

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There are a few things you need to consider about your health before you set foot on your cruise ship, including the below:

– Remember to always pack any medication you take on a regular basis. You don’t want to find yourself on holiday without it – so make sure it’s top of the list!

– Don’t forget to get some form of travel insurance. You need to ensure you have any medical costs covered in the event of injury or hospital visits in a foreign country.

– If you want to save money on your cruise, and don’t fancy splashing out on medical kits onboard, then taking a first aid kit may also be a good idea. You can even put your own kit together with the likes of diarrhoea relief tablets, seasickness tablets, plasters and paracetamol. If you forget something, don’t worry, there are shops onboard, though they won’t be open while the ship is docked at a port.

– You may also need injections should you be travelling to certain parts of the world, so always be sure to check with your doctor before heading out on your holiday.

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