Gastrointestinal illnesses are on the upswing this winter. Norovirus is chief among them, raising concerns for many travelers — particularly cruisers — that they might end up on the toilet instead of a sun lounger on their next vacation.
Although cruises account for fewer than 1% of all annual norovirus cases in the United States, the enclosed communal spaces on ships provide environments that can facilitate rapid spread of the virus. Sharing confined spaces with ill people is one of the main ways norovirus spreads; that’s why it’s most common in nursing homes, hospitals and schools.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that between Aug. 1, 2024, and Jan. 15, 2025, the number of nationwide cases reported was nearly double that of the same six-month period the prior year (both land-based and on cruise ships that call on U.S. ports). This year, the number of cases on cruise ships for the first six weeks of 2025 is more than triple the number it was during the same time frame in 2024.
So, what can you do to lessen the chances of contracting norovirus when you cruise?
Tips to avoid catching and spreading norovirus on a cruise
Wash your hands
The single most important thing you can do to avoid many illnesses, including norovirus, is to wash your hands — especially before eating, after using the restroom and after coming in contact with high-touch surfaces, such as stair rails and elevator buttons.
All cruise ship bathrooms are equipped with sinks, and most dining venues have restrooms nearby. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, most cruise lines also outfitted their buffets with sinks near the entrances for passenger convenience.
You should use hot water and soap, scrub for at least 20 seconds and make sure to clean between your fingers and under your fingernails before rinsing and drying thoroughly.
Apply hand sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is not a substitute for thorough and frequent handwashing, but it works well in a pinch when a sink with water and soap isn’t available. Ships have dispensers stationed in many highly trafficked areas on board. It’s also good to carry a small bottle with you when you travel and to get into the habit of using it between handwashing sessions.
Create a buffer
Using a tissue, paper towel or even an upper part of your sleeve to open doors and push elevator buttons is a great way to avoid coming in contact with potentially contaminated surfaces. When used in conjunction with handwashing and sanitizing, it can help to keep you even safer.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Cover your nose and mouth
The CDC says norovirus is spread when particles from an infected person land on a surface and are then accidentally ingested by someone else. Although norovirus doesn’t cause coughing or sneezing, that doesn’t mean you won’t cough or sneeze when you have it. It’s important to cover your nose and mouth properly; you don’t want to be the person who spreads their germs to others.
To make sure that you don’t stifle your cough or sneeze only to spread particles onto surfaces with your hands, make sure to cover your mouth and nose by leaning into your shoulder or by shielding them with the crook of your arm instead of your hands.
Skip the buffet
Crew do an excellent job of keeping food service areas clean, but buffets are one of the easiest places for germs to spread, due to their self-service nature. If you want to take extra precautions against norovirus, opt instead for meals at onboard restaurants where waiters serve you at your table or hand you your food at a counter.
If you do decide to brave the buffet, it’s a good idea to wash your hands both before you fill up your plate (so you don’t contaminate the communal serving utensils) and after you get your food but before you eat (to clean your hands after touching said utensils).
And, whatever you do, never grab food from the buffet with your bare hands. Not only is it rude, but it’s also unsanitary.
Related: Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do at mealtime
Don’t share drinks or utensils
Because norovirus is spread through particles from ill people, it’s a good practice to avoid sharing drinks, utensils, food and other items that could be infected with bodily fluids — even with those in your travel party.
Be responsible
If you’re feeling sick, do your fellow passengers a favor and stay home. Your travel insurance (or qualifying credit card) might be able to reimburse you for your missed sailing if you fall ill before embarkation, including with norovirus. Be honest on your health form on boarding day. After all, it’s far less frustrating to be stuck in the comfort of your home than in a cruise ship cabin in the event that you need to isolate.
If you become ill after you set sail, stay in your cabin and alert the medical center. They’ll make sure your needs are met.
How cruise lines fight norovirus on ships
Precruise screening
Prior to boarding, your cruise line will ask you to fill out a health questionnaire, either via the mobile app or at the terminal when you arrive. Expect to answer questions about whether you’ve had symptoms commonly associated with gastrointestinal illnesses — including norovirus — such as vomiting and diarrhea. Please answer them truthfully, as they could prevent you from spreading misery to others.
Sanitizing of high-touch areas
Cruise ships employ entire teams of crew members to keep public areas clean and sanitized. You’ll likely see them throughout your vessel, cleaning bathrooms, wiping down tables and scrubbing elevator buttons, all of which help to quell the spread of illness.
Food handling training for crew
One of the ways norovirus is transmitted is through food that has been contaminated with germs from an ill person. With that in mind, cruise lines are strict about their food storage and handling procedures. They also go to great lengths to train crew in proper hygiene, including thorough and frequent handwashing, especially after using the toilet.
As part of the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program, training is available to help cruise ship supervisors teach their staff about stopping the spread of foodborne illnesses. The VSP lays out guidelines for sanitation and cleanliness procedures on cruise ships; as part of this program, the CDC conducts unannounced inspections to ensure compliance.
Water filtration and purification
Another way noroviruses are transmitted is through contaminated water. Every cruise ship has its own extensive water filtration and purification system, which removes contaminants and pathogens, including norovirus. That means water from dispensers in the buffet and from taps in cabin bathrooms is safe to drink.
Isolation and quarantine
If passengers begin reporting norovirus symptoms, cruise ship staff will isolate them in their cabins for several days (or possibly for the duration of the voyage, depending on its length) and quarantine those in their travel party. They will deliver meals to them at regular intervals and might post someone outside the door to ensure that they don’t leave and potentially infect other cruisers.
Although it’s a huge disappointment to miss your vacation if you’re sick, you likely wouldn’t feel well enough to be out and about anyway. Plus, it allows other people to continue to enjoy their time on board with less of a chance of catching what you have.
Cancellation of next sailing(s)
If enough people become sick with gastrointestinal illness or if a ship has outbreaks on several voyages in a row, the cruise line might opt to cancel one or two of the subsequent cruises on that ship in order to conduct an intense cleaning of the vessel. Sanitation teams spray, scrub and disinfect all areas in a way that’s more thorough than what would be possible with passengers on board, ensuring that the spread stops before the next group of cruisers embark.
Read more about staying healthy and safe when you sail:
ADVERTISEMENT:
Hai, para pencinta slot! Pernah denger semboyan “slot demo”? jika belum, bersiaplah jatuh cinta sama konsep ini. slot demo adalah mesin slots yang selalu memberi kemenangan. Ya, mesin-mesin ini bisa dikatakan sebagai andalannya tuk bawa come back cuan. any way, gimana sih
tekniknya jumpain slot gaco yang benar? Tenang Bro and Sis, kita bahas tenang saja di tempat ini
Permainan tergacor waktu ini satu-satunya di Indonesia hanya di yang menyediakan return terbaik
Daftar dengan di :
Informasi mengenai KING SLOT, Segera Daftar Bersama king selot terbaik dan terpercaya no satu di Indonesia. Boleh mendaftar melalui sini king slot serta memberikan hasil kembali yang paling tinggi saat sekarang ini hanyalah KING SLOT atau Raja slot paling gacor, gilak dan gaco saat sekarang di Indonesia melalui program return tinggi di kingselot serta pg king slot
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kdwapp.com
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jebswagstore.com
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama demoslotgacor.pro
slot demo gacor
slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun demo slot gacor
akun demo slot gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun slot demo gacor
akun slot demo gacor permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun demo slot pragmatic
akun demo slot pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun slot demo pragmatic
akun slot demo pragmatic permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun slot demo
akun slot demo permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
akun demo slot
akun demo slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
situs slot terbaru
situs slot terbaru permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
slot terbaru
slot terbaru permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama situsslotterbaru.net
elangwin88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama elangwin88.me
eyangslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama eyangslot88.biz
fendi88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama fendi88.asia
gaco888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gaco888.net
gacoan888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gacoan888.biz
gacor666 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gacor666.biz
gambar88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gambar88.org
gameboy777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gameboy777.com
ganas88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ganas88.me
gasing77 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gasing77.asia
gasing88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gasing88.info
geber888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama geber888.net
gemoy77 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gemoy77.live
gercep888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gercep888.asia
giga333 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama giga333.live
happybet88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama happybet88.asia
harum88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama harum88.live
heroslot888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama heroslot888.info
jejuslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jejuslot88.co
kenzo88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kenzo88.me
kerangwin88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kerangwin88.com
kijangwin88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kijangwin88.asia
kingdomtoto4d permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingdomtoto4d.asia
kingdomtoto77 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingdomtoto77.asia
king selot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingselot.com
king slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingslot.bio
king slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingslot.com
kingselot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingselot.com
kuta88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kuta88.asia
ladangtoto88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ladangtoto88.asia
ligaciputra88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama ligaciputra88.asia
mabar888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mabar888.info
mamen88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mamen88.info
mami88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mami88.live
maniaslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama maniaslot88.pro
mantra888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mantra888.asia
mawartoto4d permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mawartoto4d.pro
maxwin888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama maxwin888.pro
mega88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mega88.org
mekar999 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama mekar999.asia
milan96 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama milan96.asia
olxtoto77 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama olxtoto77.asia
olxtoto88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama olxtoto88.life
panen4d permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama panen4d.asia
pisang88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama pisang88.org
planet7777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama planet7777.com
prediksi777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama prediksi777.live
prediksi88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama prediksi88.asia
preman88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama preman88.asia
preman96 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama preman96.asia
premium88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama premium88.asia
prima88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama prima88.live
kingselot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingselot.com
rajaslotjp88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama rajaslotjp88.com
roma88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama roma88.asia
salju888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama salju888.asia
semutwin88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama semutwin88.info
king slot.com permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kingselot.com
sultan777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama sultan777.asia
sultan888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama sultan888.asia
sultan99 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama sultan99.asia
super333 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama super333.live
suster12 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama suster12.com
tokekwin88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tokekwin88.info
tokyo777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tokyo777.info
tumi88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama tumi88.live
vioslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama vioslot88.asia
dora777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama dora777.asia
dp88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama dp88.biz
fila888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama fila888.org
gaco888slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gaco888slot.com
gadunslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gadunslot88.asia
gagah88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gagah88.info
gaskan888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gaskan888.biz
gatotkaca88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gatotkaca88.info
gemoy888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gemoy888.biz
gemoy888slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gemoy888slot.info
gocap888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama gocap888.net
god777 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama god777.biz
hari888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama hari888.biz
hermes88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama hermes88.biz
holywin999 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama holywin999.com
indojaya88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama indojaya88.org
indomaster88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama indomaster88.asia
jablay88slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jablay88slot.net
janjigacor88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama janjigacor88.net
jeniustoto88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jeniustoto88.com
jeniustoto88slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jeniustoto88slot.com
juara88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama juara88.info
juara88slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama juara88slot.org
jwtogel88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama jwtogel88.net
kasih88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kasih88.info
kawantogel88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kawantogel88.com
kawantogel88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kawantogel88.net
kedai88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kedai88.asia
king9999 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama king9999.org
kkslot88 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kkslot88.info
kongsi888 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kongsi888.com
kutu88slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama kutu88slot.com
liga899 permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama liga899.org
lisboa777slot permainan paling top dan garansi imbal balik hasil besar bersama lisboa777slot.com
