Have You Had to Cancel a Cruise Due to Illness?

So the flu has descended on New York and my family took a sucker punch—we've all been sick. Feeling like this for several weeks got me thinking how glad I was we didn't have a vacation planned for this month. What a difficult decision it would be to cancel a cruise!

Forget about any impact in terms of cost. (We generally have trip insurance to fall back on.) It's the emotional impact that's on my mind. When we plan a cruise, we can't wait to get to the port and—no matter which cruise line or ship we're embarking on—it always feels like "coming home."

With experts saying the 2009–2010 flu season will be a doozy, how many of us may be faced with the tough decision to cancel a sailing at the last minute? I hope we all skirt that possibility and, with the help of the Center for Disease Control's "Take 3" actions to fight the flu, we all stand a better chance of remaining healthy this fall and winter.

CDC's Take 3 Action Steps

1. Get the flu shot and, if you're in a high risk category, as your doctor if the additional H1N1 vaccine is right for you. (People at greatest risk for 2009 H1N1 infection include children, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease.)
   
   
2. Take everyday precautions: wash your hands often with soap and water (or alcohol-based hand rub); avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth in an effort to stop the spread of germs; and avoid contact with sick individuals.
   
   
3. If you do get the flu, your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs. If he/she does, take them. However, they work best if started within the first two days of symptoms so don't delay the trip to the doctor in the first place.

With any luck, this current flu going around New Jersey will be the worst we see all year. One can only hope!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com