Travel Vaccines for the port of Cartagena, Colombia Panama Canal Cruise

Hello!

We are booked Celebrity Infinity for a Panama Canal Cruise in April. This cruise stops in Cartagena, Colombia. We met with a Doctor at a Travel Clinic today and he talked to us about Vaccinations for Yellow Fever for people visiting this location. He felt that we were at a very low risk and didn't really need the vaccination. His concern however were any requirements that the ship may have or any requirements that the subsequent ports of call may have. His information told him that we might be denied entry into some ports if we did not have this vaccine.

For those of you that have cruised to Cartagena, did you need this vaccine for Yellow Fever?

Thank you,

D.

We have been to Cartagena many times. If you are planing on going to the jungles -- then you should get the yellow fever shot.

The majority of the tours are for the city and that area.

There fore you don't need the shots.

BUT if you plan on doing any South American cruises like the Amazon in the future, then get the shots. When you get past 60, and have any health issues, doctors recommend that you not get the shots. We just had to cancel our Amazon cruise because our shots are up (they are good for 10 years) and our doctor has advised us not to get them anymore.

BUT if you plan on doing any South American cruises like the Amazon in the future, then get the shots. When you get past 60, and have any health issues, doctors recommend that you not get the shots. We just had to cancel our Amazon cruise because our shots are up (they are good for 10 years) and our doctor has advised us not to get them anymore.

You can ask the doctor for a waiver then get the Brazilian consulate to authorize you to travel without the shot

Waiver Letters from Physicians

A physician’s letter clearly stating the contraindications to vaccination is acceptable to some governments. Ideally, it should be written on letterhead stationery and bear the stamp used by health department and official immunization centers to validate the ICVP. Under these conditions, it is also useful for the traveler to obtain specific and authoritative advice from the embassy or consulate of the country or countries he or she plans to visit. Waivers of requirements obtained from embassies or consulates should be documented by appropriate letters and retained for presentation with the completed Medical Contraindication to Vaccination section of the ICVP.

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-YellowFever.aspx

We were on the Island Princess Panama Canal transit in early/mid December. We stopped in Cartegena before transiting the canal and did a tour of the city and fortress. Subsequent stops were in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico. We did not get shots before the cruise (and I would suspect that the vast majority of passengers did not) and we had no problems.

We did a Panama Canal tour last October and the only shots that were recommended were Hepatitis A and B and we took two doses of DUKORAL (only available in Canada). We didn't have any problems but make sure you use Mosquito spray if you are headed to the rainforest etc.

Good question - I'd like to clear it up. You don't need a yellow vaccination to visit Cartagena. You don't even need malaria pills.

The point your doctors raises is good, but the only country in Latin America that i'm aware of that would prevent your entrance due to the fact you've recently visited a "Yellow fever zone" (eg. Colombia) is Brazil. You'll have no problems anywhere else -if you discover otherwise, sew the cruise company as they should have told you in advance.

We will be going on Mario's rain forest tour in 2 weeks. What is the best mosquito spray to take along???

Joyce

We will be going on Mario's rain forest tour in 2 weeks. What is the best mosquito spray to take along???

 

Joyce

Use a DEET based repellent except on small children, pregnant or lactating women. MUSKOL liquid comes in small bottles and are easy to tuck away in a fanny pack. Be sure to protect the back of your neck and around your ears.

DEET is the most effective agent for adults who can use 20% to 30% for long-lasting protection. Children 2 to 12 years old should use =10% concentration of DEET.

Have a hot and humid fun time!:)

Use a DEET based repellent except on small children, pregnant or lactating women. MUSKOL liquid comes in small bottles and are easy to tuck away in a fanny pack. Be sure to protect the back of your neck and around your ears.

DEET is the most effective agent for adults who can use 20% to 30% for long-lasting protection. Children 2 to 12 years old should use =10% concentration of DEET.

 

Have a hot and humid fun time!:)

Be sure to test spraying yourself with the DEET before going.... my son had a bad allergic reaction to it.