What should you know about cruise ship stomach flu?

Cruise ship stomach flu usually refers to infectious gastroenteritis, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, stomach cramps, and sometimes fever. Viruses can spread readily where many people share dining areas, bathrooms, and close living spaces. Symptoms may begin after exposure to a contaminated person, food, water, or surface; the name does not mean influenza is involved.

Gastroenteritis irritates the stomach and intestines. Affected people may have loose or watery stools, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps, fever, or reduced appetite. Symptoms can be unpleasant but often settle with rest and careful fluid replacement. Rotavirus is one possible viral cause, although several viruses and other infections can produce a similar illness.

The main concern is dehydration, especially after repeated vomiting or diarrhoea. Dry mouth, dark urine, passing urine less often, dizziness, unusual tiredness, or difficulty keeping fluids down can signal that the body is losing more fluid than it receives. Young children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with a long-term illness may need medical advice sooner.

Tell the ship's medical team or guest services that you are unwell, and follow the ship's instructions about staying in your cabin. Rest, take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink, and gradually return to simple foods when you feel able. Avoid alcohol while you are losing fluids.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before eating. Do not prepare food for other people while ill. Keep used towels, cups, and utensils separate where possible, clean high-touch surfaces, and avoid shared pools or communal activities until vomiting and diarrhoea have stopped and you feel recovered. Hand sanitiser may not work well against every stomach virus.

Contact the ship's medical service promptly if you cannot keep fluids down, have signs of dehydration, severe or worsening abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, confusion, fainting, or a high or persistent fever. Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, collapse, or marked difficulty waking.

Get medical advice early if the unwell person is an infant, older adult, pregnant, immunocompromised, or has a condition that can worsen with fluid loss. A clinician can assess hydration and decide whether testing, prescription treatment, or evacuation planning is needed. Do not take anti-diarrhoeal medicine without checking first if you have fever or blood in the stool.

Ask which fluids are suitable, how to monitor urine and other dehydration signs, whether you should remain isolated in your cabin, and which medicines are safe with your existing prescriptions. Tell the clinician when symptoms began, how often you have vomited or passed loose stools, whether you have fever or blood in the stool, and what you have been able to drink.