Cruise Ship Travel: Health Recommendations
(Released July 22, 2003)

Travel by cruise ship often congregates large groups of people from different parts of the U.S. and the world. In such settings, diseases can spread from person-to-person contact (e.g. measles, rubella, certain respiratory illnesses such as influenza, and certain gastrointestinal illnesses such as norovirus infection, formerly called Norwalk-like virus). Additionally, if a ship stops and passengers disembark to sightsee, they may be at risk for diseases in the geographic areas they visit, although such risk is difficult to quantify. It is also important to note, certain diseases can be transmitted before symptoms are apparent and that some people who become ill while on a cruise ship may have been infected prior to travel.

Anyone who becomes ill while on a cruise ship should seek medical attention on board and see a health care provider upon returning home. Ill persons should limit contact with the general population on board as much as possible to reduce further spread of disease. Ship authorities report infectious diseases of public health significance to state or federal health officials.

People planning cruise ship travel, especially anyone older than 65 years of age, anyone with acute or chronic illnesses or pregnant women should consult with a health care provider prior to travel for advice and possible preventive medication. Other measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases on cruise ships include frequent hand washing (in Adobe PDF format) and obtaining appropriate immunizations prior to travel..

For more information on CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program, please see
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/default.htm