Staying well on your cruise
A cruise can take you to half a dozen countries in a single trip, each with its own health picture. Tell us your itinerary and we'll help you board feeling prepared and relaxed.
Cruising is a wonderful way to see a lot of the world without unpacking every night, but it does throw up a health question that other holidays don't: one ship can call at several countries in a fortnight, and what's sensible for a Mediterranean cruise looks very different to a voyage through the Caribbean, West Africa or South-East Asia. The vaccines and precautions that suit you depend on every port you'll step ashore at, not just where you set sail from.
That's where a quick chat helps. Bring your cruise itinerary to Davyhulme Pharmacy in Urmston and our pharmacist will go through it port by port, flag anything worth having, and give you honest, plain-English advice. Many travellers from across Trafford and Manchester find a short visit before they sail saves a lot of worry later.
Vaccines to consider before you sail
Cruise itineraries vary enormously, so this is a general guide only — your exact recommendations depend on which ports you're visiting and what you'll be doing ashore.
Hepatitis A
Spread through contaminated food and water — commonly recommended if your ports include parts of the Mediterranean, Africa, Asia or Central and South America.
Typhoid
Another food- and water-borne risk worth considering when your route takes in higher-risk regions and longer excursions ashore.
Tetanus, diphtheria & polio
A good moment to check your routine booster is up to date, whatever your destination.
Hepatitis B
Worth thinking about for longer cruises or if medical or dental care, tattoos or new partners are a possibility on your trip.
Yellow fever
Required for some ports in parts of Africa and South America, and a few countries ask for a certificate on entry — we'll check whether your route is affected.
Cholera
Occasionally considered for certain destinations or for travellers who may have limited access to safe water ashore.
Flu, COVID and being in close quarters
Ships bring a lot of people together in shared dining rooms, theatres and lounges, so respiratory bugs can pass around more easily than they might at home. Making sure your seasonal flu and COVID protection is up to date before you sail is a simple, sensible step, particularly if you're older or have a long-term health condition. Our pharmacist can talk you through whether either is worth topping up ahead of your trip, and where it's clinically suitable these may be available here so you're sorted before you board.
Norovirus and good hygiene on board
Norovirus, the winter vomiting bug, is the stomach upset most associated with cruises because it spreads quickly in busy shared spaces and through surfaces, food and hand contact. The single best defence is thorough, frequent handwashing with soap and water — alcohol gel is a useful backup but doesn't kill norovirus as reliably. Wash your hands well before eating and after using the toilet, use the serving utensils rather than your fingers at buffets, and if you do feel unwell, report it to the ship's medical centre and stay in your cabin to avoid passing it on. Most people recover within a couple of days by resting and keeping their fluids up.
Different port, different precautions
Because a cruise can string together several countries, the risks shift from one day ashore to the next. A port in the Caribbean or West Africa might mean thinking about mosquito bites and malaria, while another stop could carry more of a food- and water-borne risk on excursions. Where malaria is a possibility on your route, our pharmacist will check the specific areas and advise whether antimalarial tablets make sense; where it's appropriate, suitable medication may be available after a consultation. We'll also cover bite avoidance, sun protection and safe food and water, so you know what to watch for at each stop rather than guessing.
Seasickness and your everyday medicines
Even large modern ships move, and some travellers feel queasy in open water. There are several ways to settle motion sickness, from acupressure bands and ginger to medicines, and our pharmacist can suggest an approach that suits you and assess what's appropriate if you'd like something to take along. It's also worth packing enough of any regular prescription medicines for the whole voyage plus a little extra, kept in your hand luggage, since a ship's shop or medical centre may not stock what you need. Bring your list and we'll help you plan it.
Frequently asked questions
There's no single answer, because it depends entirely on your ports of call. A Mediterranean cruise often needs little beyond up-to-date routine boosters, while voyages taking in Africa, Asia or South America may call for more. Bring your itinerary to Davyhulme Pharmacy and our pharmacist will go through each stop and recommend what's worthwhile for you.
Frequent, thorough handwashing with soap and water is the most effective step, particularly before eating and after using the toilet. Alcohol gel is a helpful extra but less reliable against norovirus. If you do feel unwell with sickness or diarrhoea, tell the ship's medical centre and stay in your cabin so it doesn't spread, and focus on rest and fluids.
Because ships are busy, enclosed spaces, keeping your seasonal flu and COVID protection up to date is a sensible precaution, especially if you're older or have a long-term condition. Pop in and our pharmacist can advise whether a top-up is worthwhile before you sail, and where it's clinically suitable these may be available here.
Ideally around four to six weeks before you sail, as some vaccines are given as a short course over a few weeks. If your departure is sooner, still come and see us — there's almost always something useful we can do, and we'll give you clear advice either way.
This information is grounded in NHS and TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) guidance and is for general information — not a substitute for a personal consultation. Your travel consultation is carried out by our pharmacist.
Cruising soon?
Call us on 0161 748 3016 or drop into Davyhulme Pharmacy in Urmston with your itinerary, and we'll get you ready to sail.