How to stay healthy on your cruise

Life at sea from the comfort and ease of a cruise ship is an unparalleled experience. Not only do you get to glide around to multiple incredible destinations in a floating hotel –  only ever unpacking once – but they offer a variety of onboard activities ranging from the ultimate in luxury to the social and family-friendly. 

After several years under a COVID-19 cloud, the cruise industry has bounced back well, with lines implementing new health measures to ensure the safety of their passengers. But what can you as a passenger do to make sure that you stay in tip-top health as you putter through the chilly seas of the Pacific Northwest in the USA, spying otters and whales from the deck, or glide through the tropical waters of Fiji on island time?

‍Manage your health conditions on board 

Build up your immune system with diet, exercise and rest in the months leading up to leaving the shore. If you have a chronic illness, check in with your doctor six-to-eight weeks before you set sail to check you are fit enough to travel, find out what vaccinations you may need and work out how you’re going to manage your medication. Pack a little medical kit for minor ailments (think bandaids, burn cream, antiseptic ointment, antifungal cream and the like), and ask your doctor if there are any extra medications – such as antibiotics – that you might need to self-treat certain conditions. If you become unwell on the ship, seek medical advice immediately!

If you get seasick, take precautions

Seasickness is rarely a problem when you’re on a board a cruise ship due to their size and steadiness. However, if it’s something you’re prone to, ask if you can have a cabin on the lower level as close to the centre of the boat as possible. Refrain from having a heavy meal before you board the vessel for the first time, and avoid hitting the booze too hard. Your inner ear canal contains small crystals that are super sensitive to vibration and movement – and lying down to rest can help stabilise you if you feel dizzy or nauseous. 

One natural remedy you can try is ginger, which works to increase what’s known as gastric motility and can also increase gastric emptying. Over-the-counter medication is available from the pharmacy, such as hyoscine-hydrobromide, which can help regulate your brain signalling. Of course, you must always check with your doctor before taking new medications, and read the instructions on the packet for when and how often you should take them. 

‍Be wary of infections on board 

Respiratory illnesses – such as influenza and the dreaded COVID-19, and gastrointestinal infections are the most commonly reported illnesses on board cruise ships. The fact that there are usually huge amounts of people on board in close proximity to one another can really amplify transmission. That being said, many cruise ships are still operating on limited capacity and have put extra health measures in place to look after their guests, from COVID-19 testing to vaccination requirements. If someone on board does get sick, they’ll often be confined to their cabins so as to prevent the spread of illness. 

Be sure to wash or sanitise your hands regularly (which we should all be exceptionally well-practised at by now!), especially before meals, after using the toilet and finishing activities. The buffet can be a bit of a breeding ground for bugs, too – as they thrive in foods kept at room temperature. Let the medical staff on board know immediately if you start to feel unwell.

Avoid sunburn and dehydration

Even standing on the deck with the wind whipping your hair when it’s cloudy can expose you to high levels of radiation – lety alone frolicking on exotic beaches or strolling through local towns licking an ice-cream cone. Cover up with long-sleeved clothing and top up your sunscreen every couple of hours. To avoid dehydration, drink lots of water and avoid excessive alcohol. You might also benefit adding electrolytes to your water bottle – especially if you plan on being out all day doing lots of activities.

Make use of the ship's doctor if you need to

All major cruise ships have at least one doctor and one or two nurses on board, so if you need medical attention, you’ll always be able to access it. If you are super unwell or injured, the doctors will use their own discretion to decide when you need to be transferred to a health facility at port. If you do end up receiving treatment from medical staff on board, you might have to pay for it up front – but if you have travel insurance, you may be able to make a claim to seek reimbursement afterwards. 

If you’re with Freely, before you head off into the horizon, it’s a good idea to consider getting Cruise Cover so that you have coverage when things go wrong both on and off shore. If you have any questions about the above or want to know more about protection for your next cruise, drop one of our friendly team members a line through the app or give us a call.