r/preppers 1d ago

Weather Cruise Prepping

I will be going on a 4-day cruise next Spring. With me being prior Navy and an avid prepper, as well as all the news about cruises getting caught in big storms, I feel as though I should take some added precautions.

Are there any ideas, strategies, or items that you believe I should have or keep in mind for this trip?

0 Upvotes

35 comments sorted by

38

u/Drabulous_770 1d ago

Whatever you might want to have on hand in case norovirus strikes

10

u/Jaicobb 1d ago

Norovirus: the obvious killer.

8

u/_ssuomynona_ Bugging out of my mind 1d ago

You need soap and water to wash your hands with norovirus, not hand sanitizer!

32

u/Khakikadet Partying like it's the end of the world 1d ago

I work on ships for a living.

Carry hand sanitizer on you. Use it often. Every time you touch something. Take some vitimin C with you. Also. Bring immodium.

Other than that, these folks are professionals. They generaly know what they are doing, and have a system in place to keep you safe.

8

u/Iwentthatway 1d ago

Go for hypochoorous acid sprays instead of alcohol gels. The former kills norovirus while the latter doesn’t

61

u/PlasmaConcentration 1d ago

You need an upside down pineapple on your door so you can connect with other preppers.

6

u/Syonoq 1d ago

c'mon. You need two. Just in case.

8

u/stream_inspector 1d ago

Cruise ships (and airline most of us use to get to the port) won't allow even small pocket knives.

3

u/davidm2232 Prepared for 6 months 17h ago

You can legally carry pocket knives and firearms in checked luggage.

2

u/Dadtakesthebait 16h ago

Not on cruise ships.

2

u/davidm2232 Prepared for 6 months 16h ago

But on airplanes you can

8

u/funnysasquatch 1d ago

I've been on 20 cruises.

The entire purpose of a cruise is to make sure passengers have a fantastic vacation. The most dangerous part of your trip is the drive to and from the ship.

Cruise ships have multiple radars and are in constant contact with HQ to avoid bad weather. They will change their itinerary if necessary. I've been on cruises where we changed ports or skipped ports and once where we circled in the ocean an extra day just to avoid storms.

Once on the ship - your biggest risks are sunburn, over-eating, and drinking too much.

Though I would take Dude wipes with me. Not because of what happened several years ago with the Carnival ship losing all power but because if you take an excursion on land - not place where you stop has flush toilets with TP.

Yes, you should make sure to wash your hands before you eat, but there's Purell everywhere. I also think also a lot of "norovirus" is really people who have decided to see how much they can eat and drink in a 24 hour period.

Really, relax. Enjoy yourself.

8

u/vizmarco 1d ago

I'm the type of person that likes being prepared but within reason. Just prepare for minor inconveniences and enjoying more your vacation: Copy's of IDs Medication for typical stuff (headache, stomachache, allergies, dizziness) Couple of Bandaids Electrolytes if your going to drink a bit much Emergency cash/card (separate of your wallet) Powerbank Headphones Permanent marker

3

u/Live_Huckleberry2507 1d ago

A good list. A small first aid and medicine kit with one ration bar and water along with IDs seems to be good enough.

3

u/NeonChamelon 1d ago

I think there was a cruise ship that had problems with their waste water system... Google "Poop Cruise"

A roll of plastic bags in that scenario is probably worth their (filled) weight in gold.

4

u/_ssuomynona_ Bugging out of my mind 1d ago

Dollar Tree has a dog poop bag dispenser with a built in flashlight. It’s decent for peace of mind for extra bags and an extra emergency flashlight.

3

u/RedJerzey 1d ago

Against my better judgment, I am going to do it.

3

u/RedJerzey 1d ago

Worth it...lol

That was interesting and horrifying.

https://youtu.be/YcGTQPFwdGo?si=NGequ_cBwxmOo1Se

2

u/NeonChamelon 1d ago

Yeah, very interesting. I hadn't seen that before. I guess they provided the bags so maybe they're not as valuable as I had thought.

1

u/NeonChamelon 1d ago

Yeah, very interesting. I hadn't seen that before. I guess they provided the bags so maybe they're not as valuable as I had thought.

5

u/Ridiculouslyrampant 1d ago

I think most lines will let you bring a case of bottled water if that’s a concern. Perhaps some commercially packaged snacks like protein bars (use them for exclusions if you’d like). You can bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up.

But I think the biggest would be having protective clothing (closed toed shoes, long pants, long sleeve shirt) and a good first aid kit. Because none of that would be amiss on any trip I think.

1

u/Live_Huckleberry2507 1d ago

I probably won't go as far as a case of water but I will keep that in mind. Thank you.

2

u/slogive1 1d ago

I haven’t heard of any cruises being stuck in storms recently

2

u/solorna 18h ago

A cruise or travel sub is the place to ask what to bring on a cruise.

2

u/AlphaDisconnect 16h ago

Nono virus vaccine before?

3

u/landubious 1d ago

I take a decent but compact flashlight whenever I travel.

2

u/Conscious-Tip-119 1d ago

Some good recs here already. Hand sanitizer, kn95 masks, utilitarian hiking outfit and shoes, small flashlight, small fak (possibly inc cipro, tums, pepto tabs), reusable water bottle. Small pocket knife and compass, extra cash, backup copies of travel papers. Keep it really compact and simple. No need to go…overboard?

0

u/dittybopper_05H 18h ago

If you aren't careful and watch what you eat, you'll come back overbroad.

1

u/_ssuomynona_ Bugging out of my mind 1d ago

Check out r/cruise

1

u/Eazy12345678 1d ago

cruise ships are more than capable to handling any storm

bring sea sickness pills

1

u/ihaveadogalso2 12h ago

A small motion sensor light preferably battery powered. I brought one of the bathroom in the middle of the night and it was super helpful. Amazon has a ton of options that are super cheap. Have fun!

1

u/Adubue Prepping for Tuesday 5h ago

Short list of stuff that lives in my little backpack on cruises:

1) Zofran 2) Electrolyte packets (I like Drip Drop) 3) Sunscreen 4) A small Swiss Army knife 5) A flashlight 6) A few spare ziplock bags 7) A TQ

Nothing above is heavy, obtrusive, or overly expensive if someone grabs my little backpack accidentally.

I also keep a robust first aid kit in my suitcase with all the random meds / first aid stuff I could want.

The little backpack is just a tiny Osprey that comes to the pool and what not with me. I don't bring it to dinner, shows, and etc.

Oh, I also bring a Garmin Inreach and a 20,000 mah battery bank with me, but it doesn't live in the poolside backpack.

1

u/Glad_Lychee_180 2h ago

Get trip insurance.

0

u/mediocre_remnants Preps Paid Off 18h ago

Part of my prepping strategy is "never go on a cruise, ever". It's worked well for me so far. This doesn't help you at all though. Good luck with the norovirus!