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Staying Healthy During Your Cruise Vacation
You have your passport. You have your sunscreen. You have your credit
card. All your working and planning and saving is finally going to pay
off and you have everything you need to make your cruise vacation the
best trip ever. What you don't need however is to become ill during
the trip, spoiling your vacation fun. The good news is there are a few
simple steps you can take to protect yourself from feeling under the
weather and get you back on deck in no time.
1. Wash your hands. Cruise ships can often mean close quarters, both
in the cabins and in the common areas. Whether at the dinner table with
new friends or in the restroom out by the pool, you can count on being
in close proximity to lots of different people. Frequent washing of
your hands with warm, soapy water will go a long way to eliminate germs
before they can do harm to your vacation health. In addition to the
common times you would wash your hands (after using the restroom, before
meals), get in the habit of washing them after meals and cocktail hours,
where you might be meeting new people. Wash up after handling merchandise
in the gift shops or after returning from shore excursions. As a general
rule, try washing your hands at least once an hour. It doesn't make
you an obsessive-compulsive traveler; it makes a smart traveler.
2. Eat light. One of the greatest pleasures of being onboard a cruise
ship is the fabulous food and gourmet dining experiences. For many people
this is the number one reason they go on cruises. However if you do
not normally eat heavily or indulge in rich, decadent desserts, eat
lightly during the day and ease slowly into the seven course meals.
Just because you can eat everything on the menu doesn't mean you necessarily
should. In today's society of reduced calorie, non-trans fat cooking,
spending a couple of days with gourmet chefs can not only wreak havoc
on your diet, but also your digestive system. Nothing derails a cruise
vacation faster than having an upset stomach or pain from over-indulging.
3. Follow your routine. If you normally rise at 6:00 a.m. and have two
cups of coffee before 6:30, make sure you set your alarm and ask for
room service to deliver coffee first thing in the morning. If you enjoy
eight hours of sleep at home, schedule your trips to the casino or nightclubs
accordingly. While everyone enjoys sleeping in or staying out late on
vacation, drastic changes in your body's internal clock can cause problems.
Headaches caused by too little caffeine or not enough sleep are painful
and sometimes debilitating. Likewise the headaches or stomachaches caused
by too much alcohol. A little indulgence is what makes vacation a vacation.
Too much of a good thing can leave you feeling sick and unable to get
out of bed.
4. Bring your own over-the-counter remedies. If you find yourself with
a headache or stomach pain, having your own medications at your fingertips
will encourage you to take something early, before you become so ill
you can't recover. It will also ensure that you have access to pain
relievers and other medicines you know and trust. If you find yourself
prone to certain ailments while traveling, be prepared with your normal
remedy by throwing a travel size bottle in your make-up or toiletry
bag.
5. Visit the infirmary. If you find yourself feeling terrible and unable
to enjoy the activities of the cruise, it is time to visit the ship's
infirmary. Staffed by nurses who have access to doctors 24 hours a day,
the infirmary will have suggestions on how to relieve certain symptoms
and can provide medications you may have left at home or were unaware
of. In addition, if your situation is serious they will advise you on
courses of treatment and if necessary, arrange for you to receive specialized
medical care. Most visits to the infirmary are free, including dispensing
common over-the-counter remedies.
You have waited a long time to enjoy your cruise vacation. By practicing
a little extra caution and moderation, you will sail through the trip
in perfect health, returning relaxed and refreshed.
Search for your next cruise
here!
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