Stay Healthy Onboard - Ideas Anyone?

[rugbypopsie]

On our recent cruise the ship ended up with a horrible "cruise cough" which swept through the ship and took weeks to recover from. I did not catch it (more than slightly paranoid about cross infection measures)by using all of the usual guidelines about hand washing, sanitizer etc. etc.

 

In view of the current problems with swine flu etc. I think we all have to step up and take precautions to prevent ruining anyones cruise with illness.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions other than the usual that cruise ships and passengers can take to limit illness spreading around the ship?

 

Should passengers showing high temperatures at embarkation be prevented from boarding etc.

 

Should ships dispense with salt and pepper shakers, and self service?

 

Perhaps some CCers with a medical background might have some suggestions...

[icemaiden2310]

I only ever use my own bathroom facilities .... never use public toilets. I use a commercial grade hand gel that is good for 4 hours and you can wash your hands up to 4 times without reapplying.Over the counter ones are just as good you just need to reapply more often.

 

Icy

[bob4uall]

Top 10 ideas for how to stay healthy aboard ship:

10. Travel only in unoccupied lifts. Ask a departing passenger to hit the deck number for you as he leaves.

9. Bring along sleeping bag or bedroll for sleeping and have laundry crew dry clean it every other day.

8. Pack your own food. (Canned goods are probably best going via luggage tags, not as carry-on, though the porters would argue the point.)

7. Prepare your own food. (“Lobster night” must be prepared in your cabin the first day of sailing to limit spoilage.)

6. Shows in the theater? As they say in Brooklyn, “Fuggetaboudit!”

5. Make sure all drinks consumed have enough alcohol to eradicate any stray virus that happens along.

4. Use casino equipment only in an emergency.

3. Keep your SeaPass card (or equivalent) in a glass containing alcohol. Do not let anyone handle it. (This is also a money saver.)

2. Do not sit or sunbathe (sunbake?) DOWNWIND of any hot tub or other similar petri-dish-type environments.

1. Disassemble any towel animals before they have a chance to leave little pet messes.

Above all, have a GOOD TIME. (But, DOING WHAT???):D

[Guest012]

Very good question my answer is not as a medical professional but as a habitual cruiser....

One week prior to cruising or flying..... we avoid supermarkets and try to minimise contact with large groups of people........

we also avoid swimming prior to travelling.....damp inner ear is a no no for me..perfect environment for germs....

we always carry our own supply of broad spectrum antibiotics and cold and flu caps...to be used at FIRST signs of any cold or flu.....

would not hesitate in seeking medical help if needed ........

we always use the antibacterial gel if available in eating areas...even if we have just washed our hands...

we also sit alone as much as possible.....a little anti-social but its usually only breakfast and lunch........

we try to avoid queue's.....it is possible on a cruise ship problem is everyone wants to be first in line.......

last but not least we don't obsess over getting an illness onboard ......colds flus and stomach problems come with the territory......cabin cough too...

best bit of advice.........on a ship its a tight community do yourself and your fellow pax a big favour and if your unwell ...isolate yourself and get help....:D:D cheers Shiona

 

? high temperature on embarkation......medical clearance should be required...

[Brossy]

Top 10 ideas for how to stay healthy aboard ship:

 

10. Travel only in unoccupied lifts. Ask a departing passenger to hit the deck number for you as he leaves.

9. Bring along sleeping bag or bedroll for sleeping and have laundry crew dry clean it every other day.

8. Pack your own food. (Canned goods are probably best going via luggage tags, not as carry-on, though the porters would argue the point.)

7. Prepare your own food. (“Lobster night” must be prepared in your cabin the first day of sailing to limit spoilage.)

6. Shows in the theater? As they say in Brooklyn, “Fuggetaboudit!”

5. Make sure all drinks consumed have enough alcohol to eradicate any stray virus that happens along.

4. Use casino equipment only in an emergency.

3. Keep your SeaPass card (or equivalent) in a glass containing alcohol. Do not let anyone handle it. (This is also a money saver.)

2. Do not sit or sunbathe (sunbake?) DOWNWIND of any hot tub or other similar petri-dish-type environments.

1. Disassemble any towel animals before they have a chance to leave little pet messes.

 

Above all, have a GOOD TIME. (But, DOING WHAT???):D

 

That's funny :D.

 

I caught a really bad cold when I went on the Pacific Sun. So bad in fact I had to see the ships doctor. She thought I had a strain of flu (because I didn't have a flu shot :rolleyes:). After she did the test it turned out not to be the flu but a bad case of the common cold. I swear I caught it on the ship through the air conditioning system.

 

So my suggestions to try and avoid catching anything (prevention better than a cure) :

 

1.Take plenty of Glen 20 & spray the air con vents, handles etc in your cabin.

2.Use anitibacterial gel and wipes where ever offered and bring a small handbag size one that can be carried in your pocket.

3.Wash your hands after going to the bathroom and before eating your meal.

4. If going to the Bistro take food from the back of the display not the front.

[rugbypopsie]

Bob4uall you are sooo funny!

 

I like the alcohol idea...alcohol kills germs, drink plenty of alcohol! You may feel crook after but you wont know what to blame it on.

 

But seriously we have all seen the results of various "bugs" around the ship and it is not pleasant for anyone.

 

In future I will have a flu injection just as a precaution despite having had far more health problems on long haul flights than I have ever had on a ship.

 

I want to enjoy every minute not be unwell.

[Brossy]

Bob4uall you are sooo funny!

 

I like the alcohol idea...alcohol kills germs, drink plenty of alcohol! You may feel crook after but you wont know what to blame it on.

 

But seriously we have all seen the results of various "bugs" around the ship and it is not pleasant for anyone.

 

In future I will have a flu injection just as a precaution despite having had far more health problems on long haul flights than I have ever had on a ship.

 

I want to enjoy every minute not be unwell.

 

I agree....alcohol definately helps :D.

 

I have already had my flu injection & will be armed with supplies ;).

[qld cruiser]

Hi, don't use the Spa. or the swimming pool.

and as Icy said, do not use the public toilets..on ship or otherwise.

 

 

kind regards, Lorraine:):)

[bob4uall]

But seriously we have all seen the results of various "bugs" around the ship and it is not pleasant for anyone... I want to enjoy every minute not be unwell.

 

I totally agree. I hope others will come up with some good ideas. The next flu season may be a doozy! It could really change cruising if shiploads of people sometimes would be forced to stay aboard for extended periods due to a dangerous flu outbreak.

 

On another topic, I think we almost met you in Canberra on our visit last May. There wasn't time since it was our shortest stop. We arrived around noon and flew out on a very early flight-- a big waste of the Hyatt Hotel, which we barely had time to even walk through. All we did was walk over to the new parliament building and have a tour, and then off to supper. I hope we get another chance to meet.

[bob4uall]

It could really change cruising if shiploads of people sometimes would be forced to stay aboard for extended periods due to a dangerous flu outbreak...

 

Wow! It's already starting! http://www.smh.com.au/national/cruise-ship-diverted-as-swine-flu-crisis-escalates-20090527-bn1s.html

[icemaiden2310]

I think I would rather be stuck on a cruise ship than on a plane beathing in all the air expelled from other passengers for 24 hours

 

Icy

[rugbypopsie]

I totally agree. I hope others will come up with some good ideas. The next flu season may be a doozy! It could really change cruising if shiploads of people sometimes would be forced to stay aboard for extended periods due to a dangerous flu outbreak.

 

On another topic, I think we almost met you in Canberra on our visit last May. There wasn't time since it was our shortest stop. We arrived around noon and flew out on a very early flight-- a big waste of the Hyatt Hotel, which we barely had time to even walk through. All we did was walk over to the new parliament building and have a tour, and then off to supper. I hope we get another chance to meet.

 

Be my pleasure if you are ever in town again:D