The coronavirus is on everyone’s minds right now, especially with the recent quarantine of a cruise ship near Japan where more than 37,000 people were quarantined for two weeks because one person onboard tested positive for coronavirus. Many people contracted the disease during the quarantine period as well.
Does this mean that you should cancel the cruise trip of your dreams? The answer is NO.
There has only been one such case all over the world. While cruise ships are known to spread diseases quickly, it is mostly situational. Any flu blossoms in close quarters, which can include schools, workplaces, or any mass gatherings of people.
The CDC recommends that you reconsider any cruise ship travels to or within Asia, as it is the epicentre of the outbreak. Every other region, however, is deemed safe to travel to.
If you already have a trip coming up, there are several ways that you can stay safe.
Before embarking on your next trip, getting travel insurance is a good idea. It will help make your trip more secure and provide a safety net if things go wrong.
Cruises are infamous for being ‘floating Petri dishes’. It’s almost impossible to avoid common spaces that are shared by hundreds, if not thousands, of people. The key to staying safe during your voyage is to keep washing your hands with a hand sanitizer that has 60%+ alcohol content. It’s also recommended to avoid touching your face.
If you fall sick within 14 days of traveling on a cruise ship, it is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately and inform your doctor about your recent travels. You should also avoid contact with other people to stop the disease from spreading and cancel any other travel plans that you may have.
There is so much happening on a cruise ship that it becomes difficult to stay away from infection, even if you make a conscious effort. Still, you can lessen your chance of getting sick by using common sense. Stay away from people who show symptoms as much as possible and keep washing those hands.
Just because there’s a virus on the loose doesn’t mean that every industry has come to a standstill. If you do wish to go on a cruise, do so, but make it a point to follow basic safety measures to have a pleasant and memorable trip.
