Travellers on Organised Cruises

Organised cruises offer a fantastic opportunity to travel the world and most passengers have a healthy and enjoyable holiday. However, cruise ships can provide an ideal environment for infections to quickly spread (passengers are in close proximity for an extended period, often sharing facilities). It would be sensible for travellers to follow some general health advice to help reduce the risk of becoming ill:

  • Outbreaks of gastro-intestinal infections are reported from time to time on such trips. Passengers are advised to take extra care with personal hygiene, such as careful hand washing before eating meals and after each visit to the bathroom.
  • Travellers may also consider having the influenza immunisation - flu can quickly spread amongst passengers. Immunisation is especially important for those with preexisting medical problems such as heart and respiratory conditions.

Cruising in malarious regions

On a cruise, the risk of malaria will be very low if you remain on the ship (either sailing or in port) between dusk and dawn. Under these circumstances we would consider the risk so low, that it would be reasonable not to take anti-malarial tablets. However, if sailing inland down rivers running through malarious regions (e.g. the Amazon) it would be wise to take the recommended anti-malarial tablets. Likewise, if your plans may change and you could be ashore in a malarious area between the hours of dusk and dawn, we would advise you to take the anti-malarial tablets recommended in your Health Brief. Whether or not you decide to take anti-malarial tablets, consider the following points:

  • All travellers to malarious areas should maintain precautions against mosquito bites (insect repellents etc).
  • Although the risk of malaria is low on a cruise, there is still a small risk. If you develop a fever of 38°C or higher and at least 7 days have elapsed since you first entered a malarious zone (it takes at least 7 days for malaria to incubate) then you should seek advice from the ship’s medical staff. If you have left the ship you should seek immediate medical advice elsewhere.
  • Some forms of malaria may incubate for months. If you develop a fever up to a year after visiting a malarious zone tell your doctor about your trip.