Thinking About Giving Up Cruising

[baldilocks]

4 hours ago, Northumberland said:

I can't think of a scenario that would stop me from cruising as long as my health allows me to travel.

We've done 9 cruises with a 10th coming up in less than 5 months and never gotten sick while traveling on a ship.

However, I've gotten sick while being on a plane.

Now that we are retired, we choose to travel to port by car and avoid flying.

I think that improves our odds of remaining healthy.

 

I agree with that. We travel by our own vehicle to the port when ever possible.

[Northumberland]

1 hour ago, baldilocks said:

 

I agree with that. We travel by our own vehicle to the port when ever possible.

I have often envied those that live close to the Florida ports and the convenience and economic benefits it provides for cruising. Living 2000 miles away definitely adds to the cost. On the plus side. Now that we're retired, we get to see a lot more of the USA by driving and as we're in the centre of the continent, the distance to Florida or California is almost the same.  So, now we also take cruises from the west coast.

[iancal]

In retirement we are doing far less cruising that we did when we worked.  We expect to do more cruising when we can no longer do as much independent land travel as we do now.  We find cruising on the same ship for more than 15 days or so very tedious.  We get tired of the cabin, tired of the food, tired of the ship environment.  At times,  after a week or ten days, the cruise ship environment begins to  seem so sterile and artificial compared to a land trip.

Edited November 7, 2019 by iancal

[caiya]

Best is to wear a Surgical Mask like the Asians do, so you dont contract something, plus nightly nostril flushings helps. 

[quickrate]

On 9/8/2019 at 11:36 AM, SargassoPirate said:

 

 

40 plus cruises so far and neither She Who Must Be Obeyed or I have ever gotten sick on a cruise ship or after air travel. I last had the flu in 1975.  My last cold was in 1989. Both were rare and so memorable for me.  I don't get flu shots. In fact, as I approach 70, I do not take any prescription medication except prophlactically when traveling internationally.  A combination of good genes, good health, and good sanitation procedures.

 

You have to protect yourself. What do you touch after you sanitize on the way into the buffet or MDR? Serving tongs? Ladles? The bottom of your chair as you pulled it in? The menu? The salt and paper shakers?  Do you unwrap your silverware burrito and lay your utensils on the table?  On a cruise ship and in an airplane you must think of every surface as contaminated and break the chain of cross-contamination between the surfaces and your mouth.

 

We not only sanitize our hand on the way into the  buffet or MDR, but also after we are seated with our own little bottle of sanitizer.  Also, if you lay your silverware on the table, take a few moments to observe how the staff are "cleaning" the tables.  I have observed them wiping off tables in the buffet with a used cloth napkin and then resetting the table for the next patron - which could be you.

 

Three tips for preventing illness:

 

Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.

 

Safe and healthy cruising to all.

 

 

 

I am also approaching 70, 35 cruises, and have never gotten sick on a cruise. I also don;t get colds or the flu and don't get flu shots. Same with my husband. Neither one of us take prescription meds. We do take vitamins, eat healthy and at least 2 weeks before cruising, take an immune support pill and continue taking while cruising. Always wash our hands but never wipe down any surfaces or give it a thought. I have worked with the public my whole life so as has he so maybe we just have really strong immune systems.

Pat

[zalusky]

My has had 2 kidney transplants.  One of the first tests they give you as you become listed is something called a PRA test.  It stands for Panel Reactive Antibody.   You get a number from 0 to 100.  A low number means you have little antibodies and high number means you have a lot.   Antibodies are built up from infections, transfusions, pregnancies, previous transplants among other things.  The test gives an indication of the risk of fighting a transplant and how easy it would be to find a match.   On my wife’s first tan plant she came back with a 96.  On her 2nd transplant she came back with 100 meaning she would probably reject everybody.  She was lucky enough to find a very good match.

 

The point of this is we are all very different when it comes to our immune systems.  Let your body guide the way.

[legaljen1969]

On ‎6‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 7:52 PM, bjbear said:

I only have about 13 cruises, just started in the last few years and I am 76 and can also say that I've never gotten sick!  I do wash my hands frequently. I also wipe down the phone, tv remote, door handles etc. with Clorox wipes upon arriving in my cabin but that's probably overkill!! 😀   I only do it once!  

 

Sue

I think it's a good idea to give everything a wipe down at least once.  I think sometimes people really do clean too much and use too much antibacterial to the point they get wiped out by any little thing. 

The "washy washy" station doesn't catch everyone every time.  
Remember not everyone has the same sanitation and cleanliness standards.  If you feel like things need an extra wipe down, by all means do it.   I can assure you that you are not the only one.
My mother will have antibacterial gel and some wipes and everything else.

 

[legaljen1969]

On ‎6‎/‎24‎/‎2019 at 3:18 PM, richmke said:

To help boost the immune system, take 1000 mg of Vitamin C twice a day. Or, something like Airborne.

 

I have to fly USA-Pacific once a year to visit the parents. I use to always get sick. Doctor recommended the mask and vitamin C. It worked. Mask works on a 14 hr flight. Not so much on a week long cruise. Take all the precautions of not touching your face with your hands unless you just washed them.

 

 

I usually start Vitamin C and a probiotic a few weeks before a cruise. It's been working quite well for me.   Airborne is great. 
Emergen-C is good too.  I know, still Vitamin C but for people who don't like to take vitamins- it's a decent alternative.

 

[legaljen1969]

On ‎7‎/‎26‎/‎2019 at 9:00 PM, 1980dory said:

I agree!  I'm getting sick and tired of paying taxes every April!  Would you suggest I just quit?

Hmmm, I think you may be on to something.  April 15th should be a national day of rest, and payment of taxes should be declared a public health crisis. All these people getting sick.  LOL

[legaljen1969]

On ‎8‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 3:30 PM, peanutter said:

 Will get a flu shot well in advance and keep my fingers crossed!

 

Wishing the OP and everyone healthy and safe travels!   

Every time I get a flu shot, I get sick.  If I skip my shot, I hardly ever get the flu.  

[legaljen1969]

On ‎10‎/‎25‎/‎2019 at 8:25 PM, Plant said:

 In fact, some parents purposely exposed their children to measles, mumps and chickenpox to get them over with 😨!  Not a good idea, but it was done. 

Yes. When I got the chickenpox at age 5, my mother had my brother (age 3) and I take baths together, sleep in the same bed. She tried her darndest to get him to get it too.  He didn't get it until he was almost out of high school.  He got mono in high school too. I never got that.

[Lady Patriot]

On 12/12/2019 at 1:45 PM, legaljen1969 said:

Hmmm, I think you may be on to something.  April 15th should be a national day of rest, and payment of taxes should be declared a public health crisis. All these people getting sick.  LOL

I say we move Election Day to April 17. 

[Lady Patriot]

I'm not sure how much more often dh and I will cruise, but it's for a different reason. Seems the ships are getting larger and larger and they're harder to navigate. We just came back from the Norwegian Getaway, our first "big" ship. No doubt I could use the exercise, but everything was such a long walk. One time I was in the Tropicana Room and had to use the ladies' room. I had to walk through the entire length of the casino and then some and then walk all the way back. Same with the buffet. From the elevator I had to walk past two pool areas from my elevator. We agreed that the ship was just too big and hope we can cruise in a mid-size ship next time. 

We live in St Louis and it's an 11 hour drive to New Orleans. Though I'd really rather not fly, I'd like to try sailing out of other ports. Not a lot of choices in NOLA, although I understand RCI is bringing in Majesty of the Seas, an older, smaller ship that is really old school cruising. I'll miss having a balcony, but at least I won't be walking all over creation when I'm hungry or want to use the hot tub. 

[GUT2407]

Mine is major spine damage, Tumors, Fractures, most vertebrae bone on bone, just one from a cruise where I spent most of it in agony, smooth seas, used a wheelchair but the slight swaying was enough to have bones grating and nerves compressed, not sure there will be more cruising in my future.

[legaljen1969]

8 minutes ago, GUT2407 said:

Mine is major spine damage, Tumors, Fractures, most vertebrae bone on bone, just one from a cruise where I spent most of it in agony, smooth seas, used a wheelchair but the slight swaying was enough to have bones grating and nerves compressed, not sure there will be more cruising in my future.

That sounds extremely painful. I can certainly understand why you would not want to cruise anymore.   I hope you can find some relief in some way.  

 

[1980dory]

10 hours ago, Lady Patriot said:

I say we move Election Day to April 17. 

Please strike your LOL.  Your suggestion sounds like a serious proposal.

[Lady Patriot]

My apologies. Trying. Will get this down as soon as possible. 

[Lady Patriot]

12 hours ago, Lady Patriot said:

 

 

[Lady Patriot]

7 hours ago, 1980dory said:

Please strike your LOL.  Your suggestion sounds like a serious proposal.

Sorry, am unable to do this. Can this post be taken down or moved? Once again, my apologies. 

[Lois R]

54 minutes ago, Lady Patriot said:

Sorry, am unable to do this. Can this post be taken down or moved? Once again, my apologies. 

The only way to have a post removed is to email one of the moderators and ask them to do it.

[1980dory]

2 hours ago, Lady Patriot said:

Sorry, am unable to do this. Can this post be taken down or moved? Once again, my apologies. 

It looks like you took my tongue in cheek humor seriously.  Please lighten up and have fun.  It's all OK.

[ontheroad4now]

On 6/19/2019 at 12:36 PM, Oakman58 said:

I love cruising but DANG, we always get sick before the end of the cruise.  We just returned from an Alaskan cruise/tour on the Westerdam with six other couples.  Of the 14 people, 7 of us came down with something.  Most of us had a hacking cough and extreme fatigue, one of the women in our party was diagnosed with Aussie Flu and had to be given and IV at the Urgent Care in Denali and yes, she had gotten a flu shot this year.  My wife and I take all the precautions, hand sanitizer, washing hands, wiping the cabin down with antiseptic wipes, etc. but it doesn't seem to keep us from getting sick.

 

 

 

I have two more cruise booked, one is past the final payment date so we will definitely take that cruise.  If we come down with something on this upcoming cruise I will cancel our remaining cruise and probably give up cruising.  It’s just not worth spending two weeks trying to recover from an illness after a cruise.

 

Hi. have to agree. 17 cruises in but between the nickel and dimeing, classing passengers and increased pricing as well as the increased health risks we will be looking at something new to do.

[Markanddonna]

The chances of getting sick onboard a cruise probably have a lot more to do with the general health and immune system of the traveler than it does with all of those precautions. My DH has COPD and tends to get sick on almost every cruise while I don't. We generally take all the above mentioned precautions but still our pattern remains. I tend to eat a bit healthier though, but the immune system issue is the reason.

[Kamlhj]

My urologist and therapist suggested that I also give up cruising since I suffer from paruresis and certain cruise situations could prove damaging, but I love cruising probably more than anything else, plus those situations are extremely unlikely, so I'll continue to cruise. Of course, a simple catheter would do the trick, but doctors are reluctant to proscribe them. Btw, I only got sick after my last cruise.

Edited January 13, 2020 by Kamlhj

[watson61]

On 11/1/2019 at 12:40 PM, baldilocks said:

 

I agree with that. We travel by our own vehicle to the port when ever possible.

I'm one of those who gets a cold on almost every cruise.  This thread made me realize that I did not get sick on the two cruises where instead of flying, I took a train (from DC to Baltimore).  

I just got back from an NCL cruise to Hawaii (the POA one that goes to each island).  This time I thought I was safe by taking Emergen-C before and during the cruise but I still got sick.  Luckily it was at the end of the cruise but still - the flight home (Honolulu to DC) is bad enough when you're healthy - with a cold, it was torture.