Ways to Stay Safe and Healthy While Traveling During Cold and Flu Season

Cold and flu season does not have to put a damper on your vacation plans. Whether you are heading to Walt Disney World, boarding a Disney Cruise Line ship, flying across the country, or simply traveling with your family, a little preparation can go a long way toward helping everyone stay healthy and enjoy the trip.

Travel naturally means being around more people than you might be at home. Airports, airplanes, theme parks, restaurants, attractions, and cruise ships all bring travelers together in shared spaces. While you cannot eliminate every possibility of getting sick, there are plenty of simple steps you can take before and during your vacation to reduce your risk and be prepared if someone in your family starts feeling under the weather.

Before You Leave: Start With a Healthy Travel Plan

One of the best ways to protect your vacation is to prepare before you even leave home.

Make sure everyone in your traveling party is up to date on the routine vaccinations recommended for them, including seasonal flu vaccination when appropriate. If you have questions about which vaccines are right for you or your family, talk with your healthcare provider before your trip.

It is also a good idea to pack a small health and wellness kit. Consider including:

• Hand sanitizer

• Disinfecting wipes

• Tissues

• Face masks for anyone who chooses to use them

• Over the counter medications your family normally uses

• Thermometer

• Any prescription medications your family needs

• Reusable water bottles

• A few extra days of essential medications in case your travel plans change

Keeping these items together in an easily accessible bag can save you from searching through your luggage when you need them.

Wash Your Hands Often

One of the simplest ways to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses is also one of the most effective: wash your hands.

Make handwashing part of your family’s routine throughout the vacation, particularly before eating and after using public transportation, visiting attractions, or spending time in crowded areas.

When soap and water are not available, hand sanitizer can be a convenient alternative. Keep a small bottle in your park bag, purse, backpack, or day bag so it is always within reach.

Walt Disney World: Staying Healthy in the Parks

A Disney vacation often means long days, lots of walking, and plenty of excitement. During cold and flu season, one of the best things you can do is remember that you do not have to do everything in one day.

Build in Breaks

It can be tempting to maximize every minute in the parks, but rest is important. Consider taking a midday break to return to your hotel, relax by the pool, take a nap, or simply enjoy some downtime.

A well rested family is more likely to enjoy the vacation and less likely to become completely exhausted.

Stay Hydrated

Florida’s weather can be warm even during the winter months, and spending hours walking around the parks can make it easy to forget to drink enough water.

Bring a reusable water bottle and make hydration part of your family’s routine throughout the day.

Do Not Forget to Eat

It is easy to get caught up in attractions, characters, entertainment, and everything else Disney has to offer. Make sure your family is still eating regular meals and snacks throughout the day.

Keeping everyone fueled can make a big difference in energy levels and overall enjoyment.

Use Hand Sanitizer Strategically

Keep sanitizer accessible and use it after touching frequently handled surfaces, before eating, and whenever you cannot easily get to a sink.

You do not need to spend your entire vacation worrying about every surface you touch. Simply making good hand hygiene part of your normal park routine is a practical step.

Listen to Your Body

If someone wakes up feeling sick, do not automatically assume they need to push through a full park day.

Depending on the circumstances, a slower day, additional rest, or time at the hotel may be the better choice. Your Academy Travel advisor can also help you think through your itinerary and identify which plans may be easiest to adjust if someone in your party needs a break.

Traveling by Airplane

Airports and airplanes can mean spending extended periods in crowded environments, so consider taking a few extra precautions.

Keep your hand sanitizer and wipes somewhere easy to reach rather than buried inside your checked luggage. You can also use disinfecting wipes on frequently touched personal surfaces, such as your tray table, when appropriate.

Stay hydrated during your journey, get plenty of rest before your travel day, and avoid traveling if you are clearly ill whenever your circumstances allow.

And remember that travel days can be tiring even when everyone feels perfectly healthy. Give yourself enough time at the airport so you are not starting your vacation already stressed and exhausted.

Going on a Cruise? Here Are Some Extra Tips

Cruises are an incredible way to vacation, but because guests share dining areas, entertainment spaces, pools, elevators, and other common areas, good health habits are particularly important.

Take Handwashing Seriously

Cruise ships make handwashing convenient, particularly around dining areas. Take advantage of handwashing stations and make sure everyone in your family washes their hands thoroughly before eating.

Hand sanitizer is also useful to keep with you while exploring the ship.

Use the Handwashing Stations Before Dining

One of the easiest cruise habits to adopt is washing your hands before entering a dining area. Make it part of your routine every time you eat.

Give Yourself Time to Rest

Cruises offer an incredible number of activities, from entertainment and character experiences to pools, dining, and excursions. You do not have to participate in everything.

Build some downtime into your schedule. A little rest can help you enjoy the activities you choose rather than feeling like you have to race from one experience to the next.

Be Mindful If You Are Feeling Sick

If someone in your family develops symptoms during your cruise, take it seriously. Follow the cruise line’s current health guidance and contact the onboard medical team if you need assistance.

Cruise lines have procedures in place to help guests who become ill, so do not hesitate to ask for help.

Be Smart About Excursions

Whether you are visiting a theme park, exploring a new city, or taking a shore excursion during a cruise, remember that you are still traveling.

Bring water, dress appropriately for the weather, take breaks, and avoid pushing yourself beyond what feels reasonable.

If you are traveling with young children or older family members, plan your days around their needs rather than trying to follow an overly ambitious schedule.

What If Someone Gets Sick During Vacation?

This is the scenario no one wants to think about, but having a plan can make it much less stressful.

If someone in your travel party becomes sick, prioritize their health and follow the guidance of a healthcare professional when needed. Depending on the situation, that may mean taking a day off from the parks, skipping an excursion, staying in your hotel room, or seeking medical care.

Travel insurance can also provide valuable protection for unexpected situations depending on the policy and coverage you select. Before your trip, review what your travel protection plan covers, including medical expenses, trip interruption, and other situations that could affect your vacation.

A Few More Healthy Travel Habits

Sometimes the smallest habits can make the biggest difference. During cold and flu season, remember to:

Get enough sleep. Vacation excitement can make it tempting to stay up late every night, but your body still needs rest.

Stay hydrated. Keep water with you and drink regularly throughout the day.

Eat balanced meals. Enjoy the Disney snacks and vacation treats, but remember to give your body nutritious meals too.

Wash your hands. Especially before eating and after spending time in crowded public spaces.

Pack smart. A small supply of familiar medications and basic health supplies can be incredibly useful.

Give yourself flexibility. Leave room in your itinerary for rest or unexpected changes.

Know when to slow down. Missing one attraction is better than turning a minor illness into a miserable vacation.

Your Vacation Should Be About Making Memories

Cold and flu season should not stop you from traveling and making memories with the people you love. A little preparation, good hygiene, adequate rest, and flexibility can help your family feel more confident heading into your next adventure.

And when you are planning a Disney vacation, cruise, or other getaway, you do not have to figure out every detail alone. An Academy Travel advisor can help you build an itinerary that fits your family’s needs, recommend options that make sense for your trip, and be there to help when unexpected situations arise.

Ready to start planning your next vacation? Connect with an Academy Travel advisor and let a travel expert help you make the most of your trip, from planning to your return home.

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