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Germs and Cruises: Myths and Realities
- jennifer96117
- Jul 24
- 7 min read
Is it possible to be COVID-cautious on a cruise ship?
****Warning: None of this constitutes medical advice. Accessible Escapes does not claim that taking similar measures on a cruise means that you will not get COVID-19 or other illnesses. There is no way I can guarantee you won’t get infected with any disease. ****
Many people who take COVID precautions would rather stick their big toe in a hot pit of lava than go on a cruise ship. I get it. Type “Norovirus + Cruise” or “Sickness + Cruise” into Google on any given day, and you will see hundreds of articles about outbreaks on various ships (at the time of writing this article, here is the most recent one). I was a victim of one of those outbreaks. Getting COVID while not taking enough precautions on a cruise is what gave me long COVID in 2022.
The risks are there, but is cruising really a petri dish? Is it worse than being in crowds on land, at an airport, or on a plane? Is it a germ magnet only beaten by pig sties and dumpster sites? Not really. Or should I say, not if you take the right precautions.
I would argue that cruising with a mask is safer than some long-haul flights. I know, I know, controversial stuff. Let me tell you why. Below, I would like to break some myths about cruising, why cruising is better for me with my physical disability, and tips on how I stay safe ever since my fateful cruise in 2022.
Myth 1: There are More Outbreaks on a Ship Than on Land. Just Look at All the Articles!
There are more articles about outbreaks on ships because ships are faced with stricter protocols that require them to report them. Here are the current guidelines for cruise ships entering the United States: the CDC requests that cruise ships submit a cumulative ARI report (even if no ARI cases have occurred), preferably within 24 hours before arrival in the U.S., and sooner if a voyage's crew or passenger ARI attack rate reaches 3% (ARI is respiratory viruses like COVID). An outbreak occurs at 3%, and that is usually when you will see news articles reporting on it. Here is the webpage with a ton of more information.
Unlike other large gatherings on land, outbreaks on cruise ships are required to be reported to the CDC. Therefore, they are more likely to be in the news. However, there isn’t any real evidence that you are more likely to get sick on cruises than in a similarly crowded area on land.
To quote:
“Captain Luis Rodriguez, the acting chief of the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program, notes that the CDC reported more cruise ship outbreaks in 2023 than 2022, but there was also an increase in shoreside cases during this time. Rodriguez, who holds a graduate degree in public health, explains that the CDC directly “tracks illnesses on cruise ships, so cases are found and reported more quickly on a cruise ship than on land” (which relies on state and local health departments to collect data and report to the agency separately).” (Source)
So, according to these sources, cruises aren’t necessarily worse than sitting in a large airport or going to a concert with 5,000 people. Illnesses on ships are just more closely tracked.
Myth 2: There’s No Safe Place on Cruises! Even Cabins Share Air with Other Cabins!
From what I have gathered, most cruise ship cabins do NOT share air with other cabins, especially since the Princess incident in 2020. Here is a Reddit post explaining how HVAC systems in cabins work. Here is a very scientific article explaining how cabins are the least likely spaces to spread infection and are extremely well ventilated, albeit too well ventilated (in that particles spread further if someone in your cabin is infected). Most notably, “the study found the probability of airborne infection transmission during normal speaking conditions to be very low, at less than 3%” (Source). Here is info about Royal Caribbean’s HVAC system. And more info. Pre-COVID, this article says that it is “highly unlikely” that COVID can spread through the HVAC system, although this contradicts this finding.
Here is a good overview of illnesses on cruise ships in general, although I’m not sure about the company.
Most big-name cruise lines have changed to 100% outdoor air circulation and at least MERV grade filters in cabins since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Here are a few examples:
Norwegian Cruise Line and sister lines: Bipolar ionization on all of their ships through ATMOS Air Solutions.
Virgin Cruise Line: Fresh air, bow-to-stern purification system through ATMOS Air Solutions.
Royal Caribbean and sister lines: MERV 13 filters that capture aerosols 0.3 to 1 micron in size with ~90% efficacy
However, cruise lines did recirculate air from other cabins in the past, and whether or not this increased the spread of COVID during the ship outbreaks in 2020 remains to be seen.
Myth 3: There’s Nowhere to Eat That’s Safe!
With the addition of filters and air circulation, indoor restaurants are about as bad as being in a similarly crowded area on land (so not great). However, there are plenty of outdoor food options, especially on newer cruise ships. Outside areas may be a little better than outside areas on land due to the breeze and constant movement. Most cruise lines also offer room service, either for a fee or (on more luxury lines like Ponant) for free.
Still, be aware that if you are sitting next to someone with COVID, the only thing that may prevent you from getting COVID is a well-fitted N95 mask or better.
Reality: Cruises are Perfect for Chronic Illness Sufferers and Those with Limited Mobility Like Me
Here’s the truth: I still go on cruises because most land options are no longer an option. Sure, I could stay at a resort somewhere, but I like going places – seeing new cities and learning about cultures. For land, this often requires tours or staying in multiple places. Moving to different hotels every night takes spoons, and tours that last all day without any reprieve take even more spoons. I’m not sure whether or not I’ll be up to moving around on any given day. Why book something I won’t know I can do until the day of?
Cruises fix that. The hotel comes with me. And if I am unable to go on an excursion, I still have plenty of relaxing things to do on the ship (like sitting on my balcony, reading a book, and watching the city from afar). Excursions on cruise ships also tend to be more mobility-friendly since they cater to an older clientele.
I also really, really, REALLY like sailing on the open ocean.
So, how do I do it?
Tips:
Always book a cabin with a balcony facing the ocean. This is extremely important for air circulation and to keep you sane if you are wearing a mask everywhere else.
Pick a cruise ship with a lot of outside dining options. From what I can tell, Virgin seems to be really good about this, as well as Norwegian.
When you get on board, look for outdoor nooks and crannies where there are few people. You can also watch cruise vlogs and research ahead of time. That way, you have a public space to retreat to if you don’t want to constantly eat in your room. Most cruise ships have outdoor places on the ship that aren’t popular, or people don’t know they’re there. Find those. Hint: Try the jogging track.
Constantly run a good HEPA filter in your cabin (unless you feel comfortable enough to eat outside of your cabin, in which case, take it with you to wherever you are eating). Run it before you first take off your mask.
Bring a HOCL spray and wipe down everything in your cabin. This isn’t for COVID but for the dreaded norovirus.
Keep the snoozing sign on your cabin door for the duration of the trip so the attendant doesn’t come in. If you would like, add a note on the door stating that you are immunocompromised and not to come in, or let them know beforehand, in case you are worried that they will think you are trying to avoid tipping.
BRING ANTIVIRALS. They do not have antivirals on cruise ships. I learned that the hard way.
If you want the traditional cruise dining experience, choose a time when the restaurant first opens. This is when they are the least busy. Place the HEPA filter directly in front of you when eating. Wash your hands before and after. Gargle CPC mouthwash and rinse your nose with a nasal spray or saline wash as soon as you return to your cabin (there have been mixed reviews on whether nasal sprays work. I recommend doing your own research, as I am not a doctor). For saline wash, make sure to bring your own distilled water or request some from the accessibility department before your trip.
Washy, washy! Remember: hand sanitizer does NOT kill Norovirus, so wash your hands every time you take off your mask, return to your cabin, or eat.
When outside of your cabin, utilize the SIP mask valve for drinking.
Travel with extra medication, including antivirals in case you get COVID-19 (my primary care doctor prescribes it for me. You may have to “date” multiple doctors until you find one that will give it to you without a current COVID diagnosis), and COVID tests. I prefer Metrix since PlusLife is too bulky to carry in my suitcase, and a few rapid tests for free from my library (check to see if your local library gives out free tests, too!).
Get good travel insurance, and make sure it covers most, if not all the fare for cancellations due to illness. You will also want to make sure that it covers any itinerary changes if you become sick while on vacation. I can help you with this!
Some people prefer smaller cruises like Ponant (join our group cruise in 2027). Keep in mind that smaller ships are usually more expensive, and the smallest ships (like Smithsonian Journeys) may not be accessible to everyone.
NOTE: You will need to take down your mask for a brief second when departing the cruise terminal into a foreign country for identity purposes. Like with airplanes, if this is too risky for you, I suggest not cruising.
That’s it! What do you think? Is cruising a possibility for you? If you would like to try it out, we have TWO COVID-cautious group cruises available! Keep in mind that these aren’t “COVID-Cautious” because they are more virus-free than other ships. They are still open to the public. This is just a venue to make like-minded friends and not feel isolated while wearing a mask.
I am open for bookings! Let’s plan your dream vacation together. Click the Book Now button below.
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