Cruise tips 🛳️

[sugabear]

We are going on a cruise next month. Any tips or tricks on how to stay safe? We’ve both cruised before, but not since Covid. My husband is about 2 1/2 years out from his transplant.

ETA we’ve consulted with all of his doctors. I would like to hear from fellow cruisers what you did to stay safe and enjoy the trip.

[Tankjsl]

My wife and I have done a ton of cruises. We have not done any since my transplant. I would simply talk with the transplant team to get their recommendations. I would also check with your insurance. If your cruise is out of the USA then sometimes healthcare is not covered. I know we made the decision not to take any more cruises unless it would be something like the ones in the USA like the Mississippi River Cruise. I will be interested to see other posts.

My wife who is a retired nurse practitioner recommended that both of you wear masks. When you are eating, go at times when places are not as crowded. If there are other options, don't go to the buffet type restaurants because germs spread from others over the food area. Sit outside if that is possible. Take plenty of hand sanitizer with you too. She said make your own hand sanitizer with plenty of alcohol and some aloe vera (the gel).

I would also be interested for you to share your experience here too when you return. Safe travels!

Best of luck to you. You can still enjoy it, just be extra cautious and safe.

[Ar2D2]

I went on a cruise from NCL to Alaska about 10+ years ago, with my first kidney tx. As it was pre-Covid I didn’t do anything special to protect myself. I do seem to remember that even back then, there were hand sanitizing stations all over the place though, and the cruise workers made everyone “washy washy” everytine we got back on the boat or went into the dining rooms! I had my first tx at 13 and traveled all over the world w that kidney for 30+ years. Other than getting travel and medical insurance when I traveled in countries without 1st world medicine, I never did anything special back then.

But I know Covid changed things. So I would definitely check with your tx center and see their recommendations but personally I can’t picture myself wearing a mask while sitting at the ship pool or going on excursions. At an indoor show perhaps I would.

Idk, I still get nervous w Covid now but my tx nephrologist encourages me to go out and do stuff and reminds me that I got my second tx to be able to get my life back. So definitely go and have fun, just be smart.

I had dreamed of an Antarctic cruise as my next big trip if I got a transplant and was still here, but since Covid the idea of being trapped on a boat w strangers no longer appeals to me so my new dream destination is Lapland Finland!! But that’s just me. I know someone w a transplant than went on a cruise recently and had a great time.

Anyway have a great trip!

[ShyeLoverDoctor]

My experience with cruising and covid: Pre-transplant, I went on 6 cruises. Since Covid started: two of my friends got Covid different cruises. My cruising days are over. I won’t even get on an airplane

No transplant patient should be eating at a buffet. The risk of food spoilage is too high.

Masking is a good way to avoid covid. They’re not 100%, but they’re good protection. Cloth masks are nearly useless. Surgical masks don’t provide the best protection - they are made so surgeons don’t breathe germs on their patients.. Wear a KN95 or N95.

[Jepsos]

N95 mask, frequent handwashing and eating fully cooked food. I’d avoid buffets if you can.