Ways to keep healthy before cruise?

[luvtotraveldcl]

any suggestions would be welcome as to things you do or take to keep/combat sickness before you board. Seems this time of year we always get something pre-cruise or while we are there and was wondering if there is anything we can try to do to prevent this? Thanks

 

[Maggie'sMom]

any suggestions would be welcome as to things you do or take to keep/combat sickness before you board. Seems this time of year we always get something pre-cruise or while we are there and was wondering if there is anything we can try to do to prevent this? Thanks

Wash your hands often, especially before you eat, don't touch or rub your eyes, eat healthy, and get plenty of sleep.

 

[Luvzmy3boys]

Try to avoid touching hand railings and door handles as much as possible. If you do, use hand sanitizer or wash before you touch your face or eat. I started doing this after first cruise where I caught a cold on the last day and have not had an issue since then. We walk up and down stairs on the boats and avoid elevators for added exercise especially with all the extra calories consumed.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Try to avoid touching hand railings and door handles as much as possible. If you do, use hand sanitizer or wash before you touch your face or eat. I started doing this after first cruise where I caught a cold on the last day and have not had an issue since then. We walk up and down stairs on the boats and avoid elevators for added exercise especially with all the extra calories consumed.

This is good information. However, OP was asking about how to stay healthy before boarding.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I take an immune booster called sambucus, it's elderberry extract. You take it for two weeks then take 1-2 weeks off from it and repeat. We do this all fall and winter. You can get it at hi health, Gnc or online. My kids love the gummies and the liquid, they taste great.

 

[Bear3412]

Wipe down the aircraft seat controls, buckle, tray table, etc.

Applies to rental cars too.

This has helped us significantly.

And as stated, minimize touching on the ship.

I wanted to use gloves at the buffet, but was told please no by SO.

 

[Jennifer777]

In the two weeks prior to any vacation I try to take an immune supplement like Emergen-C or Cold-eze. I make sure to get lots of sleep and drink lots of water. I'm extra diligent with hand washing and avoid those who are showing signs of even a minor cough/cold. I also suffer from seasonal allergies and have found that if I don't take my seasonal allergy meds (Zyrtec), even if it doesn't feel like I need it, I get sick far more often.

 

[DahliaRW]

Elderberry, vitamin d, and vitamin c supplements. And of course good hygiene!

 

[MaleficentRN]

Get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, wash your hands often, eat healthy and exercise daily and you will stay healthy year round.

 

[professorandmom]

Wipe down the ....I wanted to use gloves at the buffet, but was told please no by SO.

I know the OP asked about pre-cruise health but I used a few techniques to try to minimize illness during the cruise: when we entered the cabin we didn't touch anything but pulled a container of disinfecting wipes and wiped down every surface that gets touched (light switches, TV remote, etc). Another big one: AFTER going through the buffet I went back to the CM distributing hand wipes and got another one...then cleaned my hands before eating...

If you've had a loved one with a compromised immune system, the vigilance becomes habit...

 

[Bdunn]

There are no scientific studies that demonstrate any effect whatsoever of so-called "immune boosters" or supplements. They are a waste of money and put lots into the pockets of those who manufacture and sell them. "They work for me," is anectodal, and not evidence.

The only things that have been shown to be effective are what have already been mentioned--good personal hygiene and common sense.

 

[Kara T]

Good hygiene and common sense are great. I personally am a very big fan of essential oils and I am workin them hard atm haha

 

[PAcpl]

I was never a big believer of the OTC anti cold remedies until I tried this stuff called Umcka. It gets incredible reviews on Amazon. There were a few times I felt a cold coming on and starting taking this early enough and it knocked it out. I was very surprised now I always make sure I have a bottle or two around.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0YGGCF7HAMQS9BAWRP2R

 

[missbrooke06]

I started vitamin C and D supplements as well as extra water drinking. I also made sure that I got my flu shot four weeks out from the trip.

We all seem to be dealing with very mild colds, other than the baby who isn't able to take any supplements. YMMV but I'm happy to pay my $7 and not deal with snot streaming down my face.

 

[breakingd_awn]

In the two weeks prior to any vacation I try to take an immune supplement like Emergen-C or Cold-eze. I make sure to get lots of sleep and drink lots of water. I'm extra diligent with hand washing and avoid those who are showing signs of even a minor cough/cold. I also suffer from seasonal allergies and have found that if I don't take my seasonal allergy meds (Zyrtec), even if it doesn't feel like I need it, I get sick far more often.

I do the same thing I also wipe down tray on airplane and just wash hands more often. Also wipe down remote in hotel room , don't use top blanket either.

 

[luvtotraveldcl]

Thanks everyone....yes we wipe everything down in rooms and plane too but I was just wondering of a preventative immune booster that may help....I got the elderberry chewables & we will try those....it just seems no matter how much we wash our hands, keep up with good hygiene and wipe things down....this time of year we always come home with something from the cruise...just hoping to stave it off his time

 

[Henry Jones Jr.]

any suggestions would be welcome as to things you do or take to keep/combat sickness before you board. Seems this time of year we always get something pre-cruise or while we are there and was wondering if there is anything we can try to do to prevent this? Thanks

 

[Henry Jones Jr.]

I get a flu shot and buy Emergen-C in bulk at Costco. Also agree with everyone who says to wash your hands often and avoid touching your face.

 

[DahliaRW]

There are no scientific studies that demonstrate any effect whatsoever of so-called "immune boosters" or supplements. They are a waste of money and put lots into the pockets of those who manufacture and sell them. "They work for me," is anectodal, and not evidence.

The only things that have been shown to be effective are what have already been mentioned--good personal hygiene and common sense.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...nel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

 

[Bdunn]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...nel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Close but no cigar. In vitro means "in glass" which means in a lab/test tube/dish, not in a living organism. Processes that occur in vitro must then be demonstrated to occur in vivo, "in the living", which means it works in real life; and then not in rats, dogs, or monkeys, but in people. After a treatment, procedure, whatever is shown to have an effect in people, it must be then demonstrated to be safe and to be effective in a statistically significant way.

Laboratory medicine is worlds apart from practical application. It is a place to start, but most processes that occur in vitro do not make it to human treatment with clinical efficacy.