Cruising and returning with illness . Is it worth it .

[meatloafsfan]

Every other time I visit with my cousin and her 4 rugrats...er, I mean darling children, or my brother and his 3 hellions....er, wonderful offspring, I end up with "something" (flu, cold, bronchitis, stomach flu....the list just goes on and on).

 

Oh, and I was of the lucky ones who caught the swine flu at Disney World in October 2009.

 

And I had to have emergency surgery in Toronto during the SARS epidemic.....

 

I'm not going to stop living and put myself in a bubble so I don't get sick.

 

Illness and germs are all around you. You have just as high of a chance contracting Noro at a hospital, school or daycare than on a cruise ship. The only difference is cruise ships make big news, but your local high school with 20% of students and facilty out with Noro, not so much.

 

My mother is disabled and travelling is very hard on her and it seems to get harder with every passing year. For the first week we're home after vacation, she always says, "I'm not sure it was worth it.". Then a few weeks later its, "Where / When are we going next?". I fully expect that there will come a time when the "It's not worth it" is going to be the last statement. Until then, I'll take my chances with the millions of illnesses that I could contract :D to cruise with her (and my dad) to exotic Caribbean and Bahamian destinations.

Edited August 13, 2014 by meatloafsfan

[kenshaz]

so you are hear to spread the word on the evils of cruising....

 

 

errrr, ok. good luck with that

 

There are negatives about cruising and people discuss and post and form opinions .

People talk about their experiences positive and negative . Some have cruised many times and never got ill . Great .

 

Spreading the word is good . It informs and information is power and leads to choice.

 

What is your experience? Have you never seen any-one sick on board? Are you a vulnerable person?

[092306]

Thankfully have not gotten sick after any cruise. I don't doubt that people have gotten sick on cruises or at many other public places. It can happen anywhere. We do a lot of hand washing and sanitizer. Also bring Clorox wipes to clean the remote, door handles and surfaces in the cabin. So far so good.

[golfb4cruzing]

We are always worried when we cruise with Europeans as well.:D

[hftmrock]

There are negatives about cruising and people discuss and post and form opinions .

People talk about their experiences positive and negative . Some have cruised many times and never got ill . Great .

 

Spreading the word is good . It informs and information is power and leads to choice.

 

What is your experience? Have you never seen any-one sick on board? Are you a vulnerable person?

 

good luck with your crusade....

 

I have never been sick on a cruise or from it . neither has any of the people that have come with me.

[Grannycb]

I understand what the OP is talking about.

 

We took a few port intensive cruises in Europe where we picked up illnesses. Near the end of one 18 day cruise I caught a respiratory infection. It lasted forever. Someone on an all day shore excursion went sick. They came all that way to see a major European city and didn't want to miss it. I can understand that. Had they been at home I'm sure they would have stayed away from other people. Anyway, the combination of all day excursions almost every day, drinking more than usual, and getting extremely tired played a roll in catching what the other passenger had. We determined it wasn't worth it to run ourselves ragged on cruises. The solution was to slow down. We take shorter shore excursions, get more rest, and drink less. Family members tried to tell us it wasn't worth going on cruises if we came home sick. It is so worth cruising to see more of the world. Some of us just have to slow down a little to do it safely. Yes, I understand completely where OP is coming from.

[kenshaz]

Every other time I visit with my cousin and her 4 rugrats...er, I mean darling children, or my brother and his 3 hellions....er, wonderful offspring, I end up with "something" (flu, cold, bronchitis, stomach flu....the list just goes on and on).

 

Oh, and I was of the lucky ones who caught the swine flu at Disney World in October 2009.

 

And I had to have emergency surgery in Toronto during the SARS epidemic.....

 

I'm not going to stop living and put myself in a bubble so I don't get sick.

 

Illness and germs are all around you. You have just as high of a chance contracting Noro at a hospital, school or daycare than on a cruise ship. The only difference is cruise ships make big news, but your local high school with 20% of students and facilty out with Noro, not so much.

 

My mother is disabled and travelling is very hard on her and it seems to get harder with every passing year. For the first week we're home after vacation, she always says, "I'm not sure it was worth it.". Then a few weeks later its, "Where / When are we going next?". I fully expect that there will come a time when the "It's not worth it" is going to be the last statement. Until then, I'll take my chances with the millions of illnesses that I could contract :D to cruise with her (and my dad) to exotic Caribbean and Bahamian destinations.

 

Good point . We have grand-children at school and yes they catch lots of colds and chest infections and pass them onto us . But we love them .

 

I agree that we all have short memories and forget how ill we felt . We all need to take chances . But when it costs so much to become ill . It makes you think.

[kenshaz]

good luck with your crusade....

 

I have never been sick on a cruise or from it . neither has any of the people that have come with me.

 

 

There is time yet. I would touch wood if I was you . Because believe me you are not totally immune .

[stargate fan]

We have not cruised for a couple of years . Why? You might ask .

 

On returning from our last cruise I came back infected with a severe chest infection . Which persisted for about four month's .

 

We paid thousands of pounds to fall ill . Large numbers of people herded together increases the odds that you will catch something.

 

It is not worth it. There is no way to protect yourself .

 

No -one is suggesting that you avoid all contact with fellow human beings . But it is about odds and exposure .

 

Taking all emotion out of it, are you absolutely sure you got sick from being on the ship? Incubation periods vary greatly.

 

I am an educator. We have about 700 students (ages 10-12) and 100 staff members in my school. I catch bugs and colds, that inevitably turn into bronchitis weeks later, two to three times a school year.

 

My husband used to fly for work a lot. He always had the overhead air vent blow directly on him. He always became sick two to three days after he got home. (Note-I've had him keep the vent closed on all flights and he hasn't become ill since.)

 

We have taken 16 cruises so far and have never gotten sick.

 

I'm in no way discounting your experiences. I'm just asking you to think if you could have been exposed to something from a supermarket carriage handle, a door handle to a bank, an airplane, a public restroom, or any other public area.

 

Be well.

[hftmrock]

There is time yet. I would touch wood if I was you . Because believe me you are not totally immune .

 

 

seriously... millions of people cruise without getting sick every year. Its the VERY minority that does get sick.

 

can it happen... sure. but I dont think it is really any different than any other vacation. if you get sick from another passenger its because you are touching an area that has been infected on the ship (can happen in any inside location) or someone coughs on you (can happen at any location).

 

I might not be immune but you are seriously in the minority in having it happen.

 

 

again - good luck on this crusade. your not convincing me

Edited August 13, 2014 by hftmrock

[kenshaz]

Taking all emotion out of it, are you absolutely sure you got sick from being on the ship? Incubation periods vary greatly.

 

I am an educator. We have about 700 students (ages 10-12) and 100 staff members in my school. I catch bugs and colds, that inevitably turn into bronchitis weeks later, two to three times a school year.

 

My husband used to fly for work a lot. He always had the overhead air vent blow directly on him. He always became sick two to three days after he got home. (Note-I've had him keep the vent closed on all flights and he hasn't become ill since.)

 

We have taken 16 cruises so far and have never gotten sick.

 

 

 

 

I'm in no way discounting your experiences. I'm just asking you to think if you could have been exposed to something from a supermarket carriage handle, a door handle to a bank, an airplane, a public restroom, or any other public area.

 

Be well.

 

 

Lucky .If you have not been infected . Because no matter what you do ,you cannot fully protect yourself ,from either airborne or body fluid infection .

 

Our experience of Norovirus happened a week into the cruise and the respiratory infection on return after a 14 day cruise.

[jackparts]

I agree with the OP that cruising is a great place to catch illnesses. Many people from all locations thrown together and exposed to all kinds of sickness. However, I cannot live my life in fear of going to a crowded concert, Broadway show, or any gathering where I may be exposed. Even going to a hospital could be life threatening. Crossing a sidewalk, could be hit by a car. Yes, I have gone to extremes but the only way to avoid life is to head to the Antartica and live in an igloo! Come back to life, enjoy it!

Cruise and be happy, or if you stay away, I may have to pay more for my cruising.

[hftmrock]

I agree with the OP that cruising is a great place to catch illnesses. Many people from all locations thrown together and exposed to all kinds of sickness. However, I cannot live my life in fear of going to a crowded concert, Broadway show, or any gathering where I may be exposed. Even going to a hospital could be life threatening. Crossing a sidewalk, could be hit by a car. Yes, I have gone to extremes but the only way to avoid life is to head to the Antartica and live in an igloo! Come back to life, enjoy it!

Cruise and be happy, or if you stay away, I may have to pay more for my cruising.

 

In my opinion, the OP is not looking to be convinced to come back... the OP is looking to convince you to stop cruising... You wont have to pay more for a cruise if the OP convinces you on the evils of cruising.. :rolleyes:

[jimbri]

A person can get sick anywhere. I am an early childhood teacher so you can imagine all the germs roaming around. Some years I would catch everything and other years nothing. One of my sons always gets sick after traveling by plane (as stargate fan noted about her husband). Stuff happens. Use common sense and enjoy the ride! :)

[hockeyluver]

We have not cruised for a couple of years . Why? You might ask .

 

On returning from our last cruise I came back infected with a severe chest infection . Which persisted for about four month's .

 

We paid thousands of pounds to fall ill . Large numbers of people herded together increases the odds that you will catch something.

 

It is not worth it. There is no way to protect yourself .

 

No -one is suggesting that you avoid all contact with fellow human beings . But it is about odds and exposure .

 

The thought never enters my mind!! I will be going on my 15th in a few days and I have NEVER come home sick.

 

I think my chances of getting ill are much greater with my job.... I drive school bus :p Having been to many concerts and sports games with way more people than a cruise ship I think it would be a bigger risk going to them as well.

[AdGuyMG]

There is time yet. I would touch wood if I was you .

 

I have a cruise planned for November. So I'll touch wood. In fact, just to be on the safe side from Noro, I'll start stroking it.

Edited August 13, 2014 by AdGuyMG

[hftmrock]

I have a cruise planned for November. So not only am I touching wood, I'm stroking it.

 

I was going to touch wood as the OP instructed but if you are stoking it... I ain't touching it! :p

[cruise_girl2002]

18 cruises and never got sick. They had a segment on the today show yesterday, they stated, 11 million cruised last year, only .013% got norovirs.

 

You're more likely to get it on a plane or hotel. I don't get the post, sounds like you want people to stop cruising. Sorry. You failed with me. If you're worried about getting sick, you better stay home

[missdebi]

Cruise ships do not have a closed air system unlike airplanes where you breath recirculated air. Chances are higher than normal that you have a chance of catching some form of an illness on a cruise ship- a hotel-a mall-grocery store etc. by the volume of people you are exposed to try building up your immunity by taking Vit. C, eating healthy and exercise. I have a friend who swears her son got sick from the water on the ship and they will not cruise again we have been on 18 and have had sniffs here and there but nothing to keep us away. The final choice is yours maybe try camping where you have all your own stuff.

[vlynn]

I have a serious health condition (cronic kidney disease) and my specialist has no issues with my going on cruises. If the risk of contracting illness was significantly higher than going to work in my office or interacting in society in general, he would discourage the activity at the very least! Instead he tells me to keep cruising as long as I feel able to!

 

I am always careful about my health and will continue to be: wash my hands often, and now add mosquito repellant to my suitcase. Otherwise I will enjoy my cruises!! :D

 

I hope you find an alternative vacation that you can also enjoy. I am sorry you had such a bad experience!

[AmberCascades]

We just got back from our cruise. My dh seems to have a cold or some kind of respiratory thing. He had the same kind of problem last year when we came back from Alaska, but he didn't have this problem on the two cruises in between. His doctor said that some people have problems with the pressure on the plane. I was also adamant about making everyone take Emergen-C (Canadian version of Airborne) before during and after each cruise, so no one had problems with the in-between cruises. Hubby does not seem inclined to blame this on cruising, nor to cancel any of our future cruises.

 

I don't think a ship is any more "unnatural" than cramming millions of people onto a subway train every day or shopping with people who touch all the fruits and vegetables and cart handles at the grocery store. My esteemed colleagues also don't seem to wash their hands every time they use the restroom.

 

The potential for illness is everywhere. I keep my hands clean in an effort to keep other peoples germs off me. I'm also more inclined to blame any illness on plane travel than ship travel. Or some germs I picked up at the airport or on the way to work. Unless I start being taken down by Noro on every cruise I take, I don't see stopping any time soon.

[My6Dogs]

I would be more concerned about the airplane ride to the port than the actual cruise...

 

Mike

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[CruiseAM]

So far I have been on three cruises. The last two I have come home sick. Starting feeling the effects on the last day of the cruise. I sanitize everything in the room and am very careful around the ship and sanitize my hands often. Unfortunately for me, I was diagnosed with a disease many years ago (no, not catching - only messes with me) that lowers my immune system. I know this and take precautions but would never let it stop me from cruising. I will deal with the illness when I get home! I already have my next cruise booked and can't wait! :D

[Carolin]

I have never picked up anything on a cruise. Plane/office from co-workers yes so my last week before leaving on my trips, I work from home. lol :D

[Badfinger]

Hey OP - Suggest you buy three lotto tickets this week instead of one. That will triple your chances of winning. Better yet, make it ten tickets.