Cruise Vacation or Not: Myths of Noroviruses You Must Know

Anyone considering taking a cruise must give some thought to incidences of noroviruses that have been reported on past cruises, and may worry that they face danger of contracting the illness. This is largely due to many myths surrounding norovirus and cruise ships.

While incidents have been noted on cruises, the chance of contracting the virus is no greater on a cruise ship than anywhere else. In fact, because cruise ships have extremely high standards for sanitation quality, passengers do not have any increased chance for getting the virus when traveling on a cruise.

Rumors have circulated that cruise ships themselves become “sick” with the virus. This is also untrue. Norovirus is a gastrointestinal infection that is passed through direct contact with an infected person, touching surfaces contaminated with the virus or ingesting items contaminated with the virus. Norovirus cannot multiply outside the human body, although it can remain active within food or drink and cause illness. Contrary to the thought that the virus is bred and lives on the ship, it is brought aboard and spread by humans.

The impression that norovirus is only contractible on cruise ships is erroneous. Outbreaks can and have occurred in restaurants, hotels, schools and nursing homes as well as ships. Food handlers in particular, are more likely to cause the spread of the virus if they have been infected and continue to handle food items in warehouses and food establishments.

Some believe that a cruise ship is indefensible against the virus. This could not be further from the truth. When the possibility of an outbreak exists, there are strict and swift methods undertaken by the cruise line to effectively “sweep” the ship. Through training, staff has become diligent in maintaining passenger safety and health to lower risk. Educating passengers of ways to avoid contamination, and also how to minimize contamination after being exposed are further manners of holding the virus at bay. Frequent hand washing, limited contact with infected persons and remaining in their cabins when infected are a few ways to avoid the spread of norovirus.

It can be said that the biggest risk of any illness is ignorance. By increasing knowledge, education and prevention means, passengers can feel just as safe traveling on a cruise as they do when going to a restaurant for dinner, or splurging on a weekend hotel stay.

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