Updated 2/29/20
Anti-Virus
Flexibility is one of the greatest assets to a frequent traveler!
Life/stuff happens.
If you’re not prepared, you may be in for a very rude awakening!
Like any investment, travel needs protection.
We don’t hesitate to protect our bodies/devices from viruses, our vacations should be no different.
Vacation anti-virus starts with your attitude.
Unlike insurance, it’s free. Your pride can change that at any moment!
It’s not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters.
Epictetus
In this blog, I go over tips you can use to avoid travel delays. In another, there are easily applicable tips to make cruising a breeze!
One travel irritant I left out was viruses.
Like a physical attack, viruses can have a damaging effect on any vacation.
A sunny Caribbean getaway can begin looking like a barren Chicago winter.
Cruises
Every time I go on a cruise, I summon my faith against any flare-ups of the Norovirus.
This virus affects the gastrointestinal system and spreads like wildfire.
There was a time when it was occurring quite frequently.
I live in Miami (cruise capital of the world) and our local news never failed to mention an outbreak.
Symptoms of norovirus include stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Some ships manage to keep it under control with a thorough sanitizing and quarantine of patients.
Others have had to cut their itineraries short and return to the port of origin.
Cruiselines are not always generous in issuing refunds either.
Once you sign your cruise contract, it removes them of all liability. I have heard of cruise lines making exceptions but it’s not a guarantee!
This is why travel insurance is so important especially if you’re flying to/fro a cruise.
You want to make sure any pre-paid excursions are covered.
Many times, its infected guests that bring the viruses on board.
If you know you’re not in good health, postponing your trip may be best.
TIP: Bring a first aid kit with pain medicine/stomach relievers, etc.
When I injured my ankle on a cruise, even with insurance they wanted to charge me extra for medication.
Protection
Travel insurance can help before, after and during a cruise.
If you’re on a ship with a virus outbreak: DON’T PANIC!
No one pays money to be stuck in a cabin, but make the most of it until you get the all-clear.
TIP: If you’re claustrophobic, go for the best value which is usually the ocean view cabin. You can’t open the window but you can see outside. If you want to be outdoors without leaving your room, the balcony cabin is best.
Carnival is known to have some of the largest size cabins.
How to protect yourself against NoroVirus:
- Don’t travel sick.
- Wash hands with hot water frequently especially after eating and using the bathroom.
- Use the paper towels provided for cruise restroom door handles.
*See the Center for Disease Control CDC website tips below*
Coronavirus
Unless you’ve been under a rock, you’ve heard about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) by now. (No relation to the Corona beer company!)
At the time I wrote this post (2/16/2020), I was making a joke. Recent social media posts show beer drinkers are staying away from the popular brand.
The virus had its first China outbreak in 2019 and now has spread globally.
It’s an airborne virus that causes fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Unlike the norovirus, the coronavirus can be fatal. Most cruise lines have canceled all of their sailingS to China and nearby regions.
Some have had to alter their itineraries since ports were not allowing them to dock.
Airlines (in most cases) issue refunds for cancellations on their part. Again, it’s always safer to have travel insurance.
TIP: For international flights, I take Vitamin C to help ward off viruses. If I have the time, I usually wipe down the entire seat and tray table with Clorox/Lysol wipes.
From the (CDC) Website:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear facemask to protect themselves from respiratory viruses, including 2019-nCoV.
- Facemask should be used by people who show symptoms of 2019 novel coronavirus, in order to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Travel Alerts
The CDC is advising against any non-essential travel to China, Italy, and Iran.
There’s much more to be learned about the coronavirus since there are various strands.
If you find either of these viruses has hijacked your vacation, your first priority should be your health.
Follow all of the instructions by your cruise/airline.
Without good health, it’s impossible to enjoy any vacation.
Be prepared to reschedule and cancel.
Keep your cool! Everything happens for a reason!
Use this time to make the most of your next trip! Cross all T’s and dot all I’s.
Have you had a vacation hijacked by a virus?
Further reading on the Coronavirus:
SHARING IS CARING:
~Poof…Bee Gone
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36 Comments
thephysiomama
February 17, 2020 at 6:49 pmThis was really useful, hope it helps someone about to travel! Thank you for this
poofbeegone
February 17, 2020 at 9:21 pmHi there, I really hope it does. 🙂 The coronavirus has the travel world in an uproar right now.
Jessie
March 2, 2020 at 8:49 amGreat tips!
I’m about to leave for Belize for 17 days! Wiping everything down!
poofbeegone
March 2, 2020 at 12:36 pmHi Jessie….LOL…safe travels to you!!! Have fun!!! 🙂
FOODHEAL
March 2, 2020 at 9:44 amThis is great for those who are traveling right now! It’s not easy to be among people when there’s an outbreak. Very nice recommendations
poofbeegone
March 2, 2020 at 12:36 pmHi there, thanks for stopping by!!! 🙂
Kd
March 5, 2020 at 8:45 amThe corona virus has really brought human beings to a hault. Great work.
poofbeegone
March 5, 2020 at 10:21 amHi there, thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Cindy
March 3, 2020 at 4:28 pmGreat info! I’m hoping to travel to Scotland later in the year. And hoping this has all passed by then.
poofbeegone
March 5, 2020 at 10:06 amHi Cindy, we’re all crossing our fingers! 🙂
Amelia
March 3, 2020 at 5:55 pmThe thing with masks is that when people wear them they end up touching their face more. To adjust the mask, it bothers them so in some cases so up go the hands. Another reason why not recommended. Also they are only good for a few hours.
poofbeegone
March 5, 2020 at 10:14 amHi Amelia, it’s amazing that people flocked to masks instead of simply washing their hands!
arv
March 4, 2020 at 9:22 amCoronavirus has created a major upheaval across the world and people are not traveling unless necessary. I agree a cabin with the ocean view will be awesome for a claustrophobic traveler.
poofbeegone
March 5, 2020 at 10:15 amHi Arv, thanks for stopping by and giving your input! 🙂
Lisa
March 4, 2020 at 9:38 amThank you for the great information! Especially appropriate for the current situation we are in. I appreciate you sharing your travel experiences and expert tips.
poofbeegone
March 5, 2020 at 10:16 amHi Lisa, thank you! 🙂
Britnee
March 4, 2020 at 10:36 amThese are some great tips that can be used whether you’re traveling or not.
poofbeegone
March 5, 2020 at 10:16 amHi Britnee! Now that you mention it…I totally agree! 🙂
Mike
March 4, 2020 at 1:30 pmGood information. Travel insurance is always a good idea and flexibility is also. I missed my Bali and Shanghai trips but I’ll just go somewhere else.
poofbeegone
March 5, 2020 at 10:18 amHi Mike, I’m sure you’ll be blogging about both locations in no time! 😉
Shana Seigler
March 4, 2020 at 2:30 pmI have a cousin that actually lives in China. He’s doing fine but what a way to live right now. I always get balcony when I go on a cruise and after reading this I’m glad I do.
poofbeegone
March 5, 2020 at 10:20 amHi Shana, glad to hear your cousin is ok! I should have a balcony on my next cruise! I’m so excited! 🙂
Jenny
March 5, 2020 at 1:17 pmMy vacation better not be hijacked. We leave April 9 for Barcelona. And I’m not quite ready to cancel, although I am kinda worried about being quarantined. You have super advice here. And I’m going back to read again. Thank you.
poofbeegone
March 7, 2020 at 5:44 pmHi Jenny! 🙂 I’m with you, I have a cruise scheduled for Apil also. If unsure, contact them for cancellation policies. Many have temporarily revised them. Carnival, for instance, is crediting up to $200 per cabin (based on cruise length) if you don’t cancel within a certain timeframe.
Kez
March 5, 2020 at 1:36 pmMy holiday wasnt exactly hijacked by the Coronavirus, but it was slightly extended when I got stuck in the UK due to cancelled flights.
poofbeegone
March 7, 2020 at 5:45 pmHi Kez, sorry to hear that! Glad you made it out ok and avoided a hijack! 😉
Katie
March 5, 2020 at 5:49 pmThis is true. People should be cautious but not overreacting. Nice article!
poofbeegone
March 7, 2020 at 5:46 pmHi Katie, glad you approve! Thanks! 🙂
Katlyn Brown
March 6, 2020 at 10:28 amI deff. won’t be traveling for a little while to stay on the safe side.
poofbeegone
March 7, 2020 at 5:47 pmHi Katlyn, you have every right to do what feels the safest for you! 🙂
Rachel
March 6, 2020 at 11:22 amThis was very informative! I have not been on a cruise yet, and would really like to go. I think we will wait until all of this coronavirus stuff has minimized though. Thank you for this post. I shared on Twitter too.
poofbeegone
March 7, 2020 at 5:48 pmHi Rachel, I hope you get to go on the cruise once everything dies down. Ironically, this is probably the cleanest/sanitized the ships will be and the prices are dropping daily. But you want to also go confidently. I appreciate the share! 🙂
Mike
March 7, 2020 at 6:59 pmHere’s one I don’t understand. The airlines are waiving change fees for people that booked after March 1st but not before. I booked a flight back in November and wanted to make a slight change but they wouldn’t waive the fee because I booked in November.
poofbeegone
March 7, 2020 at 7:11 pmHi Mike, that makes no sense! I booked my cruise almost a year ago and I’m still eligible. You may need to escalate the matter. A lot of times, they don’t like when you @ them on social media so they try to resolve the issue.
Debbie
April 10, 2020 at 8:44 pmThese are very important tips. I always make sure to purchase travel insurance (I learned the hard way). I also always wipe down everything I might touch on the plane such as trays, seat belts, armrest, screen, etc – and whatever else I can wipe with a Clorox/Lysol sanitizing wipe. Great post.
poofbeegone
April 13, 2020 at 3:36 pmHi Debbie, thanks! Can’t wait to put these hygiene methods into practice again! 🙂