CaraSF Posted September 16, 2013 #1 Share Posted September 16, 2013 We are sailing on the Panama Canal Cruise on November 2013. I am hearing mixed things (from CDC website, our doctors, etc) about which vaccines we will need before going on the cruise. It goes to Cartegena, Colombia, Colon, Panama, Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, Georgetown, Grand Caymans and Aruba. My question is does anyone know exactly what vaccines we either a) need and will be verified by the cruise before we board, or b) if we need any or if they are all just suggested? I know that Yellow Fever is more of a concern, but what about Hepatits A, Typhoid Fever, etc? Thanks so much!!:):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azulann Posted September 16, 2013 #2 Share Posted September 16, 2013 Cara, You are doing a partial transit? All your ports on the the Carib side not the pacific side. You do not need those vaccinations unless you will be spending lots of time in the jungle, think peace corp volunteer. Just make sure you have had a tetnus shot, in case you step on a rusty nail or such. I did a full transit of Panama canal and have been to Costa Rica etc, never got those shots you are talking about. You will be only in port or the country for one day each and doing a nice excursion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebr.cruiser Posted September 16, 2013 #3 Share Posted September 16, 2013 Check with your doctor and the cruise line, of course; I hate to give medical advice online. However, we have cruised the Panama Canal, full transit, twice and did not get any special shots. We have had quite a few 'travel' shots for land trips to Africa and Asia, but not for yellow fever. Even if we hadn't had all those shots, I probably wouldn't do anything special for a canal cruise. We are doing a cruise from LA to Santiago Chile in December and are on the fence about yellow fever shots. I don't fear getting yellow fever, with our itinerary, but I have a slight fear that if we don't get them we might not be allowed off the ship in some ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted September 16, 2013 #4 Share Posted September 16, 2013 Have been thru the Canal 3 times. Never have gotten any shots. Shots are sometimes required when you go deep into the jungle. Not on a cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith1010 Posted September 17, 2013 #5 Share Posted September 17, 2013 First off, there are absolutely no required vaccinations. People sometimes get confused about what they need when you just visit a port versus going way inland. Whenever you travel it's good to just be sure your vaccinations are up to date and you can do so by contacting your physicians office. Like Cruiser Bruce I have sailed this itinerary many times and nothing is needed specifically for it. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treven Posted September 17, 2013 #6 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I too, or is it three, have done the full canal transit and was not required to get shots and did day excursions all through the area. I wouldn't worry about it, unless you have an underlying medical condition. If so, then take two aspirins and call me in the morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted September 17, 2013 #7 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Over the years we've been on 5 full transits and several part transits. Never were required to get any special vaccinations ... and we're here & alive to tell you about it. :D Have a great cruise and don't worry about it. :) LuLu ~~~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitty9 Posted September 17, 2013 #8 Share Posted September 17, 2013 I've done 4 full transits and three partial and never was anything REQUIRED. I have asthma with only 48% lung function left and still I've not had any vaccinations. I do get a flu shot, and Hep A and B just as a precaution, but unless you're living in the jungle, nothing is required. The only time you might find Yellow Fever is required is if you cruise to Brazil. They are really picky on travelers getting that vaccine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayenu Posted September 17, 2013 #9 Share Posted September 17, 2013 We did not do any shots going on the full transit of the canal, nor anyone asked if we ever had any shots. Are you going on any private tours that take you in the jungles? In this case, maybe you need something, maybe not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted September 17, 2013 #10 Share Posted September 17, 2013 None are required. If you have health issues, your doctor is the one to ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted September 17, 2013 #11 Share Posted September 17, 2013 We are sailing on the Panama Canal Cruise on November 2013. I am hearing mixed things (from CDC website, our doctors, etc) about which vaccines we will need before going on the cruise. It goes to Cartegena, Colombia, Colon, Panama, Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, Georgetown, Grand Caymans and Aruba. My question is does anyone know exactly what vaccines we either a) need and will be verified by the cruise before we board, or b) if we need any or if they are all just suggested? I know that Yellow Fever is more of a concern, but what about Hepatits A, Typhoid Fever, etc? Thanks so much!!:):) We are making a full transit next month and do not need any shots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leaveitallbehind Posted September 17, 2013 #12 Share Posted September 17, 2013 As others have said, none are necessary for any of those ports of call. Relax and enjoy your cruise - the Panama Canal itineraries are one of our favorites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith1010 Posted September 17, 2013 #13 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Health issues or no health issues you always need to speak with your doctor on this. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coveguy4 Posted September 18, 2013 #14 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Came back from a full transit in May. NO SHOTS REQUIRED !! (sorry for shouting) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdvmd Posted September 18, 2013 #15 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Agree, no shots are required for this trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A2Mich Posted September 20, 2013 #16 Share Posted September 20, 2013 Of all the time I spent in Panama in my younger years, never needed any shots other than what most Americans have already gotten. Got plenty of mosquito bites in Panama's jungles. Panama is by NO MEANS a third world country, as many would believe. Panama has probably the best healthcare in Central America. You don't see people panicking over shots to go to Mexico - I'd be more afraid of getting a disease from the drinking water in parts of Mexico more than I would getting an illness in Panama. The only illness I ever had in Panama was self-induced alcohol poisoning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadrunner1949 Posted September 24, 2013 #17 Share Posted September 24, 2013 I posted this question a few weeks ago. I did go to my GP and was told I needed a yellow fever injection and malaria tablets. As I am over 60 I have read conflicting information about the yellow fever injection and its side effects. I went back to my Travel agent who incidentally is a very good agent (Trailfinders). The agent said that they lose 50 percent of their bookings because of the recommendations given by themselves and the advice from GP's. Please read the terms and conditions of the cruise line that you are using. I have decided against going on the Panama Canal cruise. There are plenty of places on the planet I can visit without having to take meds that have unpleasant side effects. Sorry if my post is dismal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitty9 Posted September 24, 2013 #18 Share Posted September 24, 2013 I posted this question a few weeks ago. I did go to my GP and was told I needed a yellow fever injection and malaria tablets. As I am over 60 I have read conflicting information about the yellow fever injection and its side effects. I went back to my Travel agent who incidentally is a very good agent (Trailfinders). The agent said that they lose 50 percent of their bookings because of the recommendations given by themselves and the advice from GP's. Please read the terms and conditions of the cruise line that you are using. I have decided against going on the Panama Canal cruise. There are plenty of places on the planet I can visit without having to take meds that have unpleasant side effects. Sorry if my post is dismal. I'm over 60 with health issues, have cruised that area many times, and never had any of my specialists tell me I had to have yellow fever shots or malaria pills. And believe me, with my health problems, if those were "required" I would not have cruised the Panama Canal so often. But since they are not "required" but seem to be choices that passengers make, I wouldn't worry about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Besidethesea Posted October 14, 2013 #19 Share Posted October 14, 2013 We are booked on our first Panama cruise in November and at the time of booking were told that no vaccinations were required. It is now being suggested by our local health centre that we may need the Yellow Fever vaccine and Malaria tablets. We have a full consultation next week and will have to make the decision then. I am interested to note that Roadrunner1949 and I are both from North West England. Are the US and English Health Authorities giving different advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteTraveler Posted October 14, 2013 #20 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Risk of malaria to US travelers is low in both Columbia and Panama: http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/country_table/c.html It would seem that the simple application of mosquito repellent and staying in cities rather than going to the countryside would be enough to pretty much guarantee you won't get malaria during your Panama Canal Cruise. These are the vaccinations recommended for cruise ship passengers: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/cruise_ship/colombia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Besidethesea Posted October 25, 2013 #21 Share Posted October 25, 2013 We have had a full consultation with our Practice Nurse and have agreed that all we need for our forthcoming Panama cruise is an update of standard boosters for Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio vaccines,assuming of course that we follow the usual health/hygiene advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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