Caribbean Vacation: How to Prevent Gastrointestinal Illnesses
Ever wondered if your vacation cruise ship is as clean as a whistle? Of course, cleanliness is in the eyes of the beholder. What one person will consider clean would send a chill up another person’s spine.
I must admit I have trouble keeping the corners and other hard-to-reach places in my home clean. But only close friends and relatives visit my home.
On the other hand, when it comes to a cruise ship — a public place — I expect my cabin and the common areas I venture to be immaculate. The same goes for the kitchen, dining room, and common toilet facilities.
However, you need not worry about contracting major illnesses while you’re on board a cruise ship — sailing the Caribbean Sea. Inspectors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do periodic inspections of cruise ships carrying hundreds of vacation seekers.
Inspections are one component of the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP). The Program serves to lower the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses (symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps) aboard cruise ships. Inspections ensure that cruise liners maintain adequate levels of sanitation. For example, cruise ships are rated on the sanitation of the following items:
- Water
- Food preparation and holding
- Potential food contamination
- General ship cleanliness, storage, and repair
Each of these items are assigned points. Inspections are based on a point system out of 100. Vessels earn a score which is dependent on a ship’s sanitation level. Vessels that earn an 86 or higher have a satisfactory sanitation level. Vessels that earn an 85 or below have an unsatisfactory sanitation level and will be re-inspected, normally within 30-45 days to determine if sanitation levels have improved.
The Caribbean Princess out of St. Thomas scored 100 during a recent inspection. The Royal Princess (Ft. Lauderdale) scored 93, while Carnival Victory (San Juan) amassed 87 points.
Inspections lower the risk of illness. They do not, however, offer total immunity. As a smart traveler you need to practice safe hygiene. At least wash your hands often — using soap and hot water and lathering for at least 20 seconds. You can also use water-less, alcohol-based antiseptic hand rinses.
Practicing safe hygiene makes your vacation cruise illness-free.