Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, and his primary focus is helping travellers find the right cover for their medical conditions.
Cruising is a popular way to travel, with sunny skies, endless blue ocean, and the opportunity to sit back and relax without worrying about itineraries or travelling from one location to the next. But amongst all the excitement that comes with cruising, it can sometimes be hard to avoid unwanted illnesses, like colds, the flu, and norovirus. The good news? With a few simple tips, you can reduce your risk and keep your holiday smooth sailing.
In this article, we’ll explore practical tips to help you avoid norovirus and enjoy your cruise worry-free, as well as tell you why cruise travel insurance is essential for those looking to sail away in the near future.
What is Norovirus, and Why is it Common on Cruises?
Known as the “cruise ship virus,” norovirus is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in close quarters, making cruise ships a prime environment for outbreaks. Part of the highly contagious RNA virus from the Caliciviridae family that causes acute gastroenteritis, which causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
Norovirus can present in various ways, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps, which can take 12-48 hours to appear after exposure. The first 12-48 hours are the most contagious, so this period should be spent away from others on the ship to prevent further transmission.
Norovirus is common on cruise ships, simply due to the close proximity everyone is in, not to mention the shared spaces where viruses can harbour.
How Norovirus Spreads on Cruise Ships
Norovirus spreads quickly, so taking necessary precautions when you’re unwell is essential to avoiding the spread across the cruise ship, as well as keeping your distance from anyone on the ship who may have the virus.
If you are infected or are worried about getting infected, then ensure you are regularly washing your hands and try to avoid touching contaminated surfaces like door handles and railings where possible.
Tips to Avoid Norovirus on Your Cruise
There are some simple tips and tricks that’ll hopefully help you avoid becoming unwell whilst you’re meant to be enjoying your holiday.
- Washing your hands – try to wash your hands with soap and water or use sanitiser as much as you can, this should help stop you spreading or contaminating the virus.
- Avoid touching your face after touching surfaces – Touching your face is one of the most common ways to spread viruses, so try to avoid touching your face with your hands where possible.
- Disinfect high-touch areas in your cabin – If you or someone who is in your cabin is unwell, then try to disinfect high traffic areas as much as possible; this should help stop the spread as much as possible.
- Drink plenty of fluids and maintain good hygiene – Drinking lots of fluids when you are unwell not only helps you stay hydrated but can help flush out the illness quicker.
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What to Do If You Get Sick at Sea
Getting sick on holiday is never fun, especially when you’re meant to be out exploring and enjoying the sights around you, but should you unfortunately become unwell, there are a few things you should try to do.
Firstly, try to isolate in your cabin as much as possible to avoid spreading it, and allow your body time to rest and recuperate. Stay as hydrated as possible, avoid preparing food or drinks for others, and ensure you are frequently washing your hands.
You may want to inform the ship's medical team, as not only will they be able to help you recover, but they can also keep an eye on the spread of the virus across the ship and put precautions in place to avoid this where possible.
Travel Insurance for Cruising
Having specific cruise travel insurance is one of the best ways to help protect yourself from complications of illnesses whilst you’re away. Medical travel insurance covers you in case of illness whilst you’re travelling and will cover any unexpected medical costs or treatment. Explore our range of pre-existing travel insurance policies to find the perfect option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Norovirus is contagious from the moment symptoms begin and can persist for up to 48 hours after symptoms stop.
Yes, you can catch norovirus twice. After infection, the body develops temporary protection against the specific strain you had, but this lasts only a few weeks to 6 months.
You should isolate for as long as you feel unwell and seek medical advice from the onboard medical team; they will be able to help with your recovery.
Yes, norovirus is more common on cruise ships due to the close proximity of guests staying on board, so it is important to try to be as hygienic as possible and disinfect if you’re worried.