How to stay well during a trip overseas?

[Lazz58]

Four of us just got back from a wonderful 16 day trip to Europe that included a cruise on the Constellation.  However we all came back with illnesses of varying severity. We thought we had prepared and preformed those tasks that would keep us healthy (sanitizer, individual water bottles, etc.) This was our first trip to Europe.  We want to travel overseas more, but we have become concerned about becoming sick every time we travel overseas.  Some thoughts about causes came to mind:  Planes full of people coughing and sneezing, lack of sleep on flights, burning the candle at both ends with tours and activities, and not staying hydrated (hard to stay hydrated when they warn you that they are no public restrooms where you are visiting).  I am looking for advice from you experienced overseas travelers.  Any advice or recommendations would be very helpful.  Thanks in advance.

[TeeRick]

You have definitely identified the primary health concerns with travel whether overseas or not.  On a cruise or not.  All have the same risks.  I traveled a lot on business across the world.  And we now travel a lot in retirement.  It is very hard to go through long flights and time changes and spotty sleep without getting sick in the end.  Just do your best to limit exposures (wash hands frequently) and try to get a sound sleep.  Use melatonin to help adjust your internal clock and get yourself acclimated to your new time zone asap.  Keep your vaccinations up to date.  If possible avoid close contact with children who are not your own as they are carriers of illness no matter where you are.

[JFontaine]

I will only fly first class if possible - less people, less germs. My biggest rule is no burning candles at both ends. I rather get as much rest and sleep as possible than see some more and risk sickness from being run down. No very early excursions. No big bus excursions.   Avoid walking stairs on ship and touching hand rails. No red eye flights if avoidable, no 6 am flights that would require a 3 am wake up.  I take a Vitamin C every day, my husband is an Airborne fan.  I use half a Tylenol PM to help me fall asleep faster in strange beds.   Limit alcohol.  I know some people are wondering why travel with all these restrictions.  I see plenty.  Healthy travel to you. 

[Iamcruzin]

Unless you are beach hopping in the Caribbean a vacation can be real work. What you described is exactly why people get run down and when confined in close spaces like a long flight get sick.  Add in the cold climate cruises where people are indoors even on the ship and you stand a greater chance of becoming ill. The only thing I do differently is before I get on a flight even if it's an hour and a half to Florida I start taking vitamin C 2 weeks before the flight and during the vacation period. I don't know if it works but I have yet to get sick during a flight or vacation. I will add that I also have a job where I deal with the public and handle money. Maybe I have built up a strong immune system over the years. DW works in Manhattan and is nose to nose with strangers on the subway and buses and she is very rarely sick. I can't even say that we get colds once a year. 

[Mark_T]

1 hour ago, JFontaine said:

I will only fly first class if possible - less people, less germs.

 

We'll always do the same if possible, but purely because it is a great way to travel, I wouldn't regard it as a 'health' tactic as it is still a largely confined metal tube with plenty of movement between cabins even if it isn't you doing the moving.

 

To be honest though I don't think that is a primary risk beyond the usual colds that you'll get anywhere.

 

Hydration is still #1 in my book, so much else goes wrong once you get dehydrated and we see it all the time when traveling in hot climates.

 

Sadly #2 is still the old favorite, the buffet... No amount of hand cleansing on the way in will help, all it takes is one infectious person slipping past and then handling the untensils and half the ship goes down with something nasty.  So if the buffet is unavoidable take care to clean hands again right after handling the utensils on the buffet and where possible use a napkin to hold the utensils. ... or for preference avoid the buffet ...

 

#3 is handrails, elevator buttons etc. Mostly unavoidable but where you can don't touch them or sanitize promptly if you do need to use them.

 

#4 Shaking the captain's hand 🙂 Yes, mostly a thing of the past but if there is any kind of gathering with officers circulating they become a primary risk for transmission through hand contact so always be polite but avoid contact with anyone who is greeting everyone with a handshake if it still goes on...

Edited November 9, 2019 by Mark_T

[Mark_T]

... also forgot one other thing... #5 Street food... I travel a lot and seem to be able to eat pretty much anything anywhere will no issues, but repsect the advice of your guides, in some countries the street food carries significant risks, in others not really a problem...

[bigbenboys]

Our last cruise was Hawaii to Vancouver. I did come down with a cold the evening I got home. I say, .....Stay away from the slot machines and public bathrooms on the ship. When I traveled for work I would consume about 3000 mg of power Vitamin C per day. I seemed to have less colds back then. I'm think I might have to go back to my old ways.

[mickey89]

1 hour ago, JFontaine said:

I will only fly first class if possible - less people, less germs..................

Fallacy, most germs are airbourne and you breathe the same circulated air !

[Merly]

2 hours ago, JFontaine said:

I will only fly first class if possible - less people, less germs. My biggest rule is no burning candles at both ends. I rather get as much rest and sleep as possible than see some more and risk sickness from being run down. No very early excursions. No big bus excursions.   Avoid walking stairs on ship and touching hand rails. No red eye flights if avoidable, no 6 am flights that would require a 3 am wake up.  I take a Vitamin C every day, my husband is an Airborne fan.  I use half a Tylenol PM to help me fall asleep faster in strange beds.   Limit alcohol.  I know some people are wondering why travel with all these restrictions.  I see plenty.  Healthy travel to you. 

is it not the same air that is circulated whether first class or not. I always seem to get unwell from air con, on planes, in hotel rooms, on the ship. 

[JFontaine]

42 minutes ago, mickey89 said:

Fallacy, most germs are airbourne and you breathe the same circulated air !

And circulated air is filtered to some degree but the three people coughing 18 inches behind your head, and the three more behind them, and the folks across the narrow aisle  in coach are simply more germs closer to you then the couple sitting behind you a few feet back in Delta One. It’s just math.  
 

 

Edited November 9, 2019 by JFontaine

[Lazz58]

3 minutes ago, JFontaine said:

And circulated air is filtered to some degree but the three people coughing 18 inches behind your head, and the three more behind them, and the folks across the narrow aisle  in coach is simply more germs closer to you then the couple sitting behind you a few feet back in Delta One. It’s just math.  
 

 

 

Unfortunately,  That same math tells me that if we stay out of first class, we can spend extra nights before or after the cruise to explore.  

Edited November 9, 2019 by Lazz58

[Jim_Iain]

We travel overseas often and to be honest we do the same things we do while traveling domestically -

 

1.  Wash, Wash and more Wash our hands

2.  Clean trays and things you touch on airplane with anti-bacterial towels

3.  Wash our hands more

4.  Makes sure we are up to date on all our shots and always plan our Flu Shots early.

5.  If on an excursion and hear people coughing and hacking - try to get as far away from them as possible.

6.  Get plenty of rest, eat reasonably and get plenty of fresh air.

7.  Try to avoid the self service areas of the OceanView when possible.   I think we have all seen some pretty disgusting activities that is a cause of concern. 

 

Sometimes it will be inevitable that you will be on a cruise where there is an outbreak of a respiratory illness.   Unfortunately we have gotten cruise cough on more than one cruise.  

[JFontaine]

Yes first class is expensive, but it has other health benefits besides less people close to you.  You have more room to stretch and avoid DVT.  Less people using the restroom, the flight attendants are taking items from less people.  More frequent access to drinks means you will get up to go to restroom (reduce risk of DVT). Less chaos and more space means better rest, maybe even sleep. Even the bed linen appears to be clean and fresh.   I get that it isn’t feasible for many people but the question was what do we do to avoid getting sick, and this is one of the things I do and why. It’s an extremely important issue to me. 

[Nachosdelux]

I am in excellent health and take precautions every trip (wash hands, sanitizer, wipes, hydrate, eat healthy, proper rest, etc.)

 

That said, I get some sort of upper-respiratory infection almost every vacation.

 

Just being in close proximity to so many people increases your risks.

 

Really the best thing to do is wear a mask, but few people do this.

[Mark_T]

15 minutes ago, JFontaine said:

Yes first class is expensive, but it has other health benefits besides less people close to you...

 

... I get that it isn’t feasible for many people but the question was what do we do to avoid getting sick, and this is one of the things I do and why. It’s an extremely important issue to me. 

 

That's the main thing, if you believe it helps then keep on doing it.

 

.. for everyone else, you can achieve the same basic requirements to avoid DVT and remain hydrated and healthy in pretty much any cabin, and you can fly first, stay seated and avoid the necessary exercise and still have problems, so don't feel that an inability to fly first, or a decision not to fly first, is somehow an 'unhealthy' choice.

 

Just take healthy decisions whichever cabin you are in...

 

 

[miched]

You need to keep you hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible. 
 

I always try to avoid the chair rails or any part of a chair if possible went sitting into a table to pull my chair closer to the table.   I don’t think any of those areas are ever cleaned.  The other culprits are the menus,  salt and pepper shakers, and squeeze bottles.  Always try to use a napkin if possible when using them.   I also try to avoid eating anything using my fingers.  I will use utensils.  
 

I know It is almost impossible to avoid everything but the more you can the better the odds.  

 

On the cruises where they serve those little snacks in the jars at the bars I also avoid those as people will stick their fingers in instead of pouring some out on a napkin.  
 

Another thought is how many people have touched your sea pass card or CC card?   It can go on and on.

 

Best is to get a lot of rest, eat healthy, exercise and hope for the best and try to control what you can.

When we cruise we burn the candle at both ends and in the middle, need all the  flames  and fire we can get to sanitize and burn off the germs.  🤧

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

 

 

Edited November 9, 2019 by miched

[bebe08]

I am following along with interest....for the first time ever I got sick with a respiratory illness last month while on a cruise.  I felt so bad for coughing when I was around other people, but the more I tried to suppress it the worse it was.  I heard lots of other people coughing as well.  We travel a fair bit and this is only the second time I've gotten sick while travelling or shortly thereafter.  I figured I was one of the lucky ones and had a strong immune system.  Looks like my luck has run out lol.

 

There are some good tips on this thread and I will definitely be more proactive in the future.  

[hcat]

In addition to many of the above, we use Saline nasal mist...keeps passages clear and hydrated

[Baron Barracuda]

A while back several on these boards recommended Halo flight spray.  Now always take couple of puffs before travelling.

 

From A___.com listing:

• Moistens the nasal passages in dry airplane Cabin environments
• Clears the sinuses during long air flights
• Supports the immune system
• Protects against germs while breathing recycled airplane air
• Perfect for air travel
• Made in Maui from 100% Hawaiian grown plants
• Safe & Effective
• 100% Pure hydrosol & Alcohol-free

Also bring along a just in case Z-pack and bunch of precautionary otc medications.

[davekathy]

Take the same precautions we do no matter what we are doing or where we are going. Any kind of vacations, going out to diner, the movies and on and on. And hope for the best. Most of the times we escape getting sick, but a few times no matter what we do. 

Edited November 9, 2019 by davekathy

[chemmo]

We try to be as healthy as possible before we fly.

We avoid tiring schedules/difficult flight times.

Try to balance busy days and rest days.

Clean our cabin and hotel room remote controls and door handles.

Wash hands all the time.

Use rest rooms outside our cabin/hotel room as little as possible.

 

We have occasionally been sick on a holiday but we have also been sick at home...worry too much and you wouldn’t leave your house. All about sensible precautions, having decent medical insurance (just in case) then just enjoying your vacations....

[mchell810]

I always travel with anti-bacterial wipes which I use to whip down surfaces on a plane -- tray table, armrests, etc. and do the same in hotel rooms/ship cabins.  I use the wipes for my hands when I can't wash my hands as much as I'd like (I prefer wipes to Purell as it feels like I am "wiping away" the grime.)  Whether I am traveling or not, I always clean my hands after returning menus but before eating anything.  Lots of good advice above as well.  The bottom line I think is: clean your hands before eating and get some rest.

 

Edited November 9, 2019 by mchell810

[jean87510]

After getting the flu on my transatlantic last year i got the flu shot and wore a mask on my flight this year and have a balcony cabin where we have been opening the door. Its the best ive felt on a cruise.

[upwarduk]

I am sure that flights have a lot to answer for, where the same air is circulated throughout the flight.

Since we have sailed from Southampton( meaning we have driven to the port) I have not had a chest infection on a cruise. 

I avoid the buffet if possible, as I can never be sure if serving spoons have been cross contaminated with Dairy ( I am Dairy Intolerant). We eat in the MDR wherever possible.

I also have never been into the casino. Do all the machines get wiped after someone has finished playing? I imagine not.

[opa&oma]

I frequently get a bad cough on a cruise.  This summer I was on a month long cruise and I took 2 Airborne gummies every day and I had not a cough or sneeze!  That's my remedy from now on.