Happy Happy, Washy Washy!

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 One of the things that often puts people off cruises is the fear of getting sick. You hear reports of Norovirus on cruise ships all the time. Who wants to pay a bunch of money and go through all the trouble of travel just to spend a week in your room with a stomach bug? Let me alleviate some of those fears right now! According to this article, the CDC reports that only 0.02% of cruise passengers end up with Norovirus. Those odds are pretty good! In fact, they are much better than if you stayed on land. 

 Over the last 10 years, cruise ships have declined significantly in their number of outbreaks. In 2006, 4,507 cases were reported, but in 2019 they only had 1,201 cases. Cruise ships are subject to incredibly stringent cleanliness standards with regular inspections. If you sit in a public place, like the Observation Lounge or the Buffet, you'll be pleasantly surprised by how many times you see a crew member come through and clean touched surfaces. I assure you it happens more than it would at a buffet on land!

 So why do people still get sick on ships? Sadly, it has less to do with the ship or crew and more to do with the passengers. People are gross! One sick person doesn't stay in their cabin and chooses to go out around the ship, touching buttons and hand rails and... ew... serving utensils in the buffet, and all of a sudden the ship is toxic. But there is a very simple way to prevent contamination, even in this situation. WASH YOUR HANDS!!!! It's that simple, folks. But do we do it? Sometimes. Not likely enough though. Who wants to go through the trouble of washing your hands when it feels like you just did it? Someone who doesn't want to spend the next few days in the bathroom, that's who! So, if you don't want to get sick, wash your hands in between touching public surfaces and eating or touching your face. If you go to the buffet, wash your hands, dish up your plate, THEN wash your hands again, then eat. Many cruise lines have made this so much more convenient by placing hand washing stations everywhere. There's one right next to me as I write this in fact. 

 No matter how careful you are, though, you're bound to be exposed to something. That person coughing in the elevator, the ONE TIME you forgot to wash, etc. So it helps to have a little health insurance along the way. For me, this comes in the form of immune-boosting supplements. I have an oral allergy to magnesium, so I have to be very careful about which of these I take, you might be able to find something cheaper. I can attest to the helpfulness of these though! My doctor, a naturopath, recommended that I take this first one before, during, and after any trip. Airplanes are far more likely to get you sick than cruise ships!

 Realistically though, I buy these in a larger bottle. I just shared the smaller one above with you because not everyone is hopping on two, two-week cruises in two months! Yes, these are fairly large "soft gels" but they are easy to get down because they are squishy, smooth and slightly sweet. You'll do best to take them with food though, as they can be tough on an empty stomach.

 In addition, my doctor recommends that I take Black Cumin Seed Oil capsules when I go on a cruise. This also supports your immune system and works best when you have it on board BEFORE you are exposed. So start taking it a few days before your trip and keep taking it a couple of days after. My doctor has me take one capsule in the morning and another at night, but you should check with your doctor to see what they would recommend for you as the standard serving size is just 1 per day. 

 In addition to these helpful immune supports I would add in some common sense reminders. Be sure to get plenty of sleep and watch what you eat. The food on the ship is typically quite safe as they go through all sorts of safety protocols, but I still avoid anything that looks like it has been sitting out for a long time (think stale cheese). When you are on land, it's a different matter. In most countries you should avoid any fruits or vegetables that do not have a peel or rind. Bananas and oranges are often a safer bet, but don't eat salads or sliced watermelon, no matter how good it looks. I'll always remember my OBGYN cautioning me on my first trip to Mexico while I was pregnant with my third son to not eat Tacos off the back of a truck. In the US, food trucks are a staple these days. But most of them are subject to food safety testing and will post their "grades." This isn't the case everywhere you go, so consider the source of your food.

Here's the Thing: Nothing is foolproof and whether at home or on the road we are all going to get sick sometimes. In fact, it's actually healthier for you to get sick every once in a while as it informs your immune system. But with some common sense protocols, like hand washing, and a little immune-boosting support, you're highly likely to come out ok!