By Kristi Emo

“You haven’t lived until you’ve cruised!”  That’s the motto of Cruise Lines International Association, an organization that represents 24 of the major cruise lines serving North America.  Many Valley cruisers will tell you the same thing, citing the romance and adventure of sailing on the high seas.  Cruises can provide great value for your vacation dollars as meals, entertainment, activities, and kids’ clubs are all included in the price of passage. The ships offer full spas, fitness centers, casino gambling, and daytime and nighttime entertainment. It is a perfect vacation where you have the chance to do it all or do nothing at all.

Cruises are suited to families, couples and singles, and are a great way to see the world since you can cruise anywhere there is an ocean. Among the most popular destinations for Valley cruisers are the Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean. Cruises allow you to unpack just once and have the ship take you from port to port, so the normal hassles of land vacations are avoided and there’s more time for fun and relaxation.

One big issue for first-timers is the prospect of being seasick.  All modern cruise ships have stabilizers under the water that minimize the side-to-side motion that can make people sick. The up-and-down motion of the ship going through the water does not normally bring on that queasy feeling. There are easy ways to avoid seasickness: book a midships cabin on a lower deck where the motion is minimal; go outside often to get fresh air and look at the horizon. If you do happen to feel queasy, there are over-the-counter remedies like Dramamine and Bonine you can try, as well as “natural” remedies like ginger tea or candy, or acupressure sea bands. If you know that you tend to have severe motion sickness, your doctor can prescribe anti-nausea medication or a scopolamine patch that you wear behind your ear.

Close Quarters Can Spread Illness

There have been outbreaks of the Norovirus on several cruise lines in the past few years.  This illness is not unique to cruise ships; it can be found wherever there are many people sharing a confined area, including hotels, dormitories, and nursing homes. The outbreaks on ships are publicized because the cruise lines are required by the Centers for Disease Control to report every incidence of gastrointestinal illness. The cruise lines now all have medical forms that passengers fill out before boarding that asks them if they have been ill in the week prior to the cruise. Passengers who join the cruise while already sick and contagious can cause the illness to spread on board. The best way to avoid getting sick is to wash your hands often with soap and hot water. You can also use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that you carry with you on board and in port. Most ships now also have hand sanitizer machines at the entrance to every restaurant and buffet. You can also take some antibacterial wipes to clean items in your cabin like door handles, TV remote, and telephone.

The cruise lines consider passenger safety a top priority. Every ship has uniformed security guards and surveillance cameras on board. There are a few important tips to ensure your personal safety onboard and in ports of call. Be aware of your surroundings and use common sense, just as you would in any big city. Don’t flash a wad of cash or valuable jewelry and make yourself a target for a thief. Leave your valuables at home or use the safe in your cabin to keep them locked up when you are not in the cabin. Leave these items locked up when you go into port as well. It is safer to use your debit or credit card for purchases in port; the ship operates on a cashless system so you don’t need cash to pay for items on board.

Don’t allow yourself to become so intoxicated that you compromise your judgment and behavior. You are on vacation and having fun and that might include drinking more than usual and letting go of the stress of your everyday working life. This can mean that you let your guard down. One suggestion: ask someone in your group of family or friends to be your “designated cruiser” and stay sober to watch out for everyone else.

Cruising can be a fabulous experience. Just think safe, and it will be smooth sailing all the way.