Greetings, Travellers!

I think most of you are like me. You’ve been watching the news and your Facebook feed and afterwhile you start to think “Is this how we all become zombies?” Too much negative information eventually starts to feed into the fears of traveling and especially cruising. Yes, your concerns are valid as I see the news with guests not being allowed disembarkation from the cruise ships as well.

I think as of yesterday, there were 300 cases of the coronavirus throughout the US with so far less than 20 deaths. While the news tends to focus on the 15-20 people who have unfortunately died there are 280-285 people who have survived after contracting the virus.

If you look at those numbers, the virus has a 90-95% survival rate and perhaps would be an even higher rate if there were no underlying health conditions.

As a travel professional, I would be remiss in not providing a different perspective that will hopefully ease your concerns.  Being in the travel industry, I understand the heightened sensitivity regarding the coronavirus and my hope is that you will find this information beneficial as you plan your trip.

Before you step foot out your door there are things you can start doing now whether you’re going on vacation, going to work or out into the general public.

PREPARATION PRIOR TO AND DURING YOUR CRUISE*:

1. Drink lots of water!  Water flushes toxins out your body and assists your immune system by staying hydrated!
2. Take the “Sunshine Vitamin” – Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your immune system
3. Zinc is another immune booster to treat the common cold and preventing and treating pneumonia.
4. Other great vitamins to take to boost your immune system are Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 & Vitamin E
5. Exercise regularly. Physical activity may help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways. This may reduce your chance of getting a cold, flu, or other illness.
6. Reduce your alcohol intake and smoking. Smoking & drinking can weaken your immune system.  Enjoy your libations in moderation YOU ARE ON A CRUISE TO HAVE FUN! 😀
7. Carry a travel packet of Clorox wipes and a travel-size bottle of Lysol for your cabin and while in port. Clean counter surfaces, and seats prior to touching. Keep one for the room and in your purse or carrier when you’re visiting the islands.
8. Carry hand sanitizer and make sure it has an alcohol content of 60% or higher.
9. Follow CDC guidelines for additional everyday preventative measures:

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.  The CDC recommends 20 seconds.

Click here for some Atlanta songs to wash your hands to printed by the Atlanta Magazine

*SPECIAL NOTE: Please check with your doctor to make sure vitamins do not interfere with any of your medications. And to make sure it is safe for you to travel if you have a compromised immune system or underlying health issues.

WHILE ONBOARD – SANITIZING YOUR CABIN:

Although your cabin steward will do a wonderful job of cleaning your stateroom. As an added precaution & for extra peace of mind take some Clorox wipes along with you:

1. Wipe down the doors and doorknobs in your cabin
2. Remote controls
3. TV power on/off buttons
4. Phones in the rooms
5. Bathroom countertops
6. The desk & chair and any area where you’ll lie your phones and other stuff on.
7. Light switch(s)
8. Closet doors
9. If you have a balcony cabin, the balcony doors, table, and chairs.
10. Spray Lysol or any disinfectant on your sofa and soft goods in your cabin.

THINGS ROYAL CARIBBEAN IS DOING TO KEEP YOU HEALTHY:

1. A temperature screening will be administered to ALL guests prior to boarding on embarkation day.
2. All terminal and ship access points are being thoroughly sanitized before and after all sailings.
3. In addition, high traffic areas onboard, including restrooms and public areas, are undergoing extensive cleaning each evening, over and above the normal procedures.
4. Daily announcements are being made to remind guests to wash their hands often, use recommended coughing etiquette, and report any illness symptoms immediately.
5. Likewise, additional medical staff has been added and are providing complimentary medical consultations during each sailing.

WHAT ABOUT ME…I’M NOT GOING ON A CRUISE I’M ONLY TAKING A FLIGHT:

Just like most of the industry, some airlines have increased their sanitation efforts to stop the spread of the virus.  Click here to see the guidelines imposed by the CDC on aircraft cleaning.

Delta started using a fogging technique in February which is a highly effective EPA registered disinfectant on planes arriving in the US from Asia.

“Even if there is a virus in the inanimate environment, it’s not going to jump off the seat and bite you in the ankle,” says Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University’s division of infectious diseases.

“You’ve got to touch it, and then touch your nose or your mouth. So it’s those hands we have that are the important intermediary. And that’s where I would put the emphasis,” he said.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

1. Visit your airline &/or cruise line’s website for the latest travel advisories
2. Visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization’s (WHO) websites as information is constantly being updated.

Sources:

• How to boost your immune system – https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system
• 3 Vitamins that are Best for Boosting Your Immunity – https://health.clevelandclinic.org/3-vitamins-best-boosting-immunity/
• The Royal Way to Keeping You Healthy – https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates
• Travel advice for conoavirus – https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/coronavirus-travel-advice/index.html
• Header Photo by VanveenJF on Unsplash