Cruise ships are a popular way to travel, with over 26 million passengers annually. Unfortunately, the close quarters and frequent contact with other passengers can lead to a variety of illnesses, from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as Norovirus.
Common Illnesses
The most common illness that can be caught on a cruise ship is the common cold. Symptoms include a sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing. You can easily catch the virus from another passenger or crew member who is already infected.
Another common illness is the stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This virus is highly contagious and can spread quickly through close contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces.
More Serious Illnesses
The most serious illness associated with cruising is Norovirus. This virus is also known as the “cruise ship virus” because it spreads quickly in close quarters due to its highly contagious nature.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. The virus can last up to three days and can be spread through contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces such as doorknobs or handrails.
Preventing Illness on a Cruise Ship
The best way to prevent getting sick on a cruise ship is good hygiene practices such as washing your hands often with soap and water and avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands. It is also important to avoid sharing food or drinks with other passengers or crew members as this could spread germs quickly throughout the ship. It’s also important to take care of yourself by getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids to keep your body healthy and strong against potential viruses.
Cruise ships are an enjoyable way to travel but it’s important to remember that they come with some risks of catching illnesses from fellow passengers or crew members due to their close quarters environment.
Conclusion
What sickness do you get on a cruise ship? Common illnesses such as colds and stomach flu are possible but more serious illnesses like Norovirus are also possible in this enclosed environment if proper hygiene practices aren’t maintained. To prevent any potential illnesses on board it’s important for passengers to follow good hygiene practices such as washing their hands often and avoiding sharing food or drinks with others while on board.