When a cruise hits the headlines its often because of a ship-born virus has taken hold of both passenger and crew members, spreading widely throughout the liner. However frightening those news reports can be, it actually happens fairly infrequently. When illness strikes on board, it is usually thanks to the same typical reasons we get sick on dry land and is generally centralized to just a few people, if that. By sticking to the same healthy habits that you should be practicing at home, you can minimize your risk of getting sick while on a cruise. At Safe Cruise Parking, the preferred choice for Miami cruise parking, we asked some of our obviously healthy customers how they stayed healthy during their cruise. These are some of the tips they recommended:

  • Be honest. During boarding, many cruise lines now ask passengers for a health assessment in regards to what illnesses they may have contracted in the weeks or days prior to embarkation day. Be truthful with this questionnaire, if you’re feeling fine, it’s not likely you’ll be asked to cancel but you may be quarantined for the first day. Do your part in protecting the health and well-being of your fellow travelers.
  • Prepare for jet lag. Though people respond to jet lag differently, you don’t want the possibility of it, ruining a good portion of your cruise. Some travelers recommend spending an extra day or two in the port city before the cruise in order to properly acclimate. Others take melatonin as a natural remedy for resetting circadian rhythms.
  • Wash your hands. Often. The number one way to avoid illness, whether at sea or on dry land, is to wash your hands. Because you are in very public, very used places on a cruise ship it is recommended that you wash your hands more often than you would elsewhere however. Carry hand sanitizer with you but remember that it is not a replacement for thorough washing with soap.
  • Expect seasickness. Carry with you ginger candies to help ward off nausea and book a low-deck mid-ship cabin if you are prone to seasickness. Other cruisers recommend acupressure wristbands, plenty of fresh air and keeping a eye on the horizon to help stave off nausea.