# What You Need to Know About Staying Healthy on a Cruise *By James Hills — Updated December 2019* Written by: [James Hills](https://cruisewestcoast.com/james-hills.html) Published: 16 December 2019 Last Updated: 16 December 2019 Top BlogHits: 9914Reading time: 02:03 Regardless of the time of the year that you travel, it is not uncommon for cruisers to pick up a host of illnesses while out at sea. You do not want an illness to get in the way of your magical time out on the open water. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to protect yourself from all of the germs and bacteria that call cruise ships home. Here are five ways that you can stay healthy on your cruise adventure. ## Get Your Rest: It may be tempting to go full throttle on your cruise so that you can make the most of it. However, you run the risk of getting sick if you do not make an intentional effort to get plenty of rest. An adequate amount of sleep each night will ensure that your body is ready to fend off any germs that head your way. ## Eat and Drink in Moderation: Cruises are known for their abundance of food and drink options. From elaborate five-course meals to daily all-you-can-eat buffets, you will certainly not go hungry. With all of these options, it is not surprising that many travelers tend to overdo it. A good strategy for a healthy cruising experience is to be purposeful about eating and drinking in moderation. While it is fine to indulge in your nightly dessert, be sure to balance this with smart choices throughout the day. Nourishing your body with healthy food options will help to boost your immune system throughout the duration of the cruise. ## Ensure Immunizations Are Current: Before you take off on your ocean journey, it is vital that you ensure that all of your immunizations are current. With so many people in one place, it is no surprise that cruise ships are breeding grounds for a variety of diseases and illnesses. If you are traveling internationally, it is important that you look into the additional immunizations that you will need at your ports of call. An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure. Taking a preventative approach to your health while cruising will pay off big dividends. Prior to your sailing date, be sure to boost your overall health by taking your daily vitamin. A probiotic is also especially helpful if you will be traveling to international destinations that may wreak havoc on your digestive system. Continue taking your vitamin and probiotic throughout the cruise to build another layer of resistance to germs and other foreign bodies. ## Sanitize, Sanitize, Sanitize: Most cruise ships are proactive about keeping sanitizers scattered throughout the common areas of the ship. Take advantage of this by washing your hands as often as possible. The number one thing that you can do to protect yourself from viruses is to regularly wash your hands. This is especially important to do before eating. --- ***Thanks for reading. We hope this was helpful!*** Why stop now? 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