This one page fact sheet is available in English, French, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and German. It provides awareness information related to healthy and safe cruising for healthcare and public health professionals, environmental health specialists, as well as the general public. Each year millions of U.S. citizens enjoy cruise vacations. In 2005, approximately 9.8 million passengers embarked from North American ports for their cruise vacation (from Cruise Lines International Association). Traveling on cruise ships exposes people to new environments and high volumes of people, including other travelers. Although an infrequent occurrence, this exposure creates the risk for illness, either from contaminated food, water or more commonly through person to person contact.
