What about cruising post transplant?

@silverwoman my transplant was 11/28/18. I have been on a few cruises but have decided not to go that venue for vacationing just for the reasons you listed. I think I will wait at least another year before I go on a cruise so that I am completely familiar and comfortable around food choices. Aboard ship they cook on a grand scale and I believe I would avoid the buffets and attend meal service plans in the restaurants. This also goes for all inclusive island vacations. Same thing, the food is not necessarily to our code of standards (and in Canada they are pretty high ). I really want to go south this year but may wait until at least the fall of 2020 before making any real plans. Those are just my thoughts though.

Thanks for your thoughts. Good points all! Part of my hesitation is in not wanting to be a drama queen and not wanting my travel partners to feel limited in their choices due to my restrictions. Tricky - and maybe I'm not ready for that yet. I think you are right, better to stick with less complicated venues for these first vacations.

I wouldn't cruise, not because I of my Transplant. But because of the retroviruses common on cruise ships. I am 14 months out and I use all the precautions. Wash hand all the time. Avoid food that is not ready made etc. I do eat at buffet. I f the food looks old wait for a new batch. I have asked for fresh serving because of my Transplant and servers are more than helpful.😁

Vacation Tips and Tricks for Transplant Patients
- In April 2019, this Newsfeed was posted in the Transplant Pages. Although it does not mention cruise safety, I think it is a good reference for all travelers with a transplant. -
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/transplant/newsfeed-post/vacation-tips-and-tricks-for-transplant-patients/

@silverwoman, This is exciting to hear that you are ready to travel again. I have not taken a cruise, but I do understand your concerns.
I have found that my family and friends have become very protective of me and my restrictions and over my 10 years of transplant living.

HI Sharon,

Congratulations on the successful liver transplant! Great news.

I am an avid traveler and took my first trip to the Dutch West Indies just 5 months after my kidney transplant! I was so nervous but I had full approval from my medical team and I took every precaution possible. The Travel Clinic and my Transplant team worked together to advise me as they do anytime I leave the country. I was so happy to go somewhere after transplant and not be sick, I was beyond grateful to live my life!

Generally when we travel we rent apartments or houses because it allows us to cook and to live among the locals wherever we go.

I have only been on two cruises in my life and both were after transplant...

Cruise #1: was super short and a spur of the moment decision the ship went to a "Private Island" (which just means cruise owned) then to Nassau and back through the Port of Miami, it was ok and I was glad we tried it. Food wasn't a big deal for me I think I ate granola bars, bananas, bottled water, etc.

Cruise #2: was in the Western Caribbean and was much longer (Honduras, Belize, Cozumel). On this cruise we selected a plan that allowed us access to a less used section of the ship, we shared a dinning room and pools with 60 rooms. I made arrangements to bring all of my own bottled water on board. I also packed plenty of snacks in my suitcase. My hubby loves food so we'd go out to restaurants on the main section of the ship and I would be able to find something to eat like hot soup or fried shrimp which I knew it was safer, no raw veg. I never ate while off the ship. We are pretty independent travelers so we would travel all over the countries we stopped at and I would pack a granola bar and a liter of water, no big deal for me I'm not that into food. When we would go in the main areas of the ship, the bars, pools etc., it was wall-to-wall people! I never felt safe from germs! People were coughing and sick everywhere, it was gross and hard to avoid, you would see people on lawn chairs by pools shoulder to shoulder or up against each other waiting for drinks at the bars. We never ate the buffet style foods. My husband and I decided after we got home that A: it wasn't the kind of experience we were looking for and B: the risks of a large scale cruise to my health are more than we are comfortable with. We may try a smaller European river cruise sometime, but no more giant cruise line for us.

Keep seeking other opinions though, this is just one person's perspective.

Cheers.

Thanks for your perspective, Jolinda! So much of the cruise experience is bound to the fabulous food and its 24/7 availability. If that is not something that we, as transplants, can freely enjoy, perhaps giving big ship cruising a pass it wise. Good insight, very helpful to me.

Thank you for the link, Rosemary. Very good information and timely for me. This forum's responders have really helped me to sort out my ideas and feelings about cruising quickly. Very helpful.

Thanks for you input. The replies to my question have been very helpful.

@rosemarya My husband is coming up on his 3 yr anniversary for his kidney transplant. While he was pretty strict following all the guideline right after and for the first six months, he has let most all of it slide now. I get frustrated with him, and still try to keep him protected, but it doesn't work most of the time. All I can do is explain my point of view and let him know my thoughts.
Ginger