Should you cancel that cruise vacation?

Key Points:

• Cruise ships are environments where infectious diseases can spread easily due to high numbers of close contacts among passengers, as evidenced by studies and past outbreaks like COVID-19 on the Diamond Princess.
• Despite the potential for disease transmission, evidence is limited on whether cruises pose a higher infection risk compared to other social settings, partly because many infections go unreported or undiagnosed on board.
• Research shows about 20% of passengers on long cruises seek medical attention for infections, mostly respiratory or gastrointestinal, but this likely underestimates actual illness rates due to isolation policies and mild cases.
• The decision to take a cruise involves balancing the higher likelihood of illness against the convenience and amenities offered, with individual risk tolerance varying based on factors like age and health status.
• To reduce infection risk on cruises, passengers are advised to practice preventive measures such as wearing masks, frequent handwashing, and spending time outdoors on deck.