Key Aspects:
- Norwegian Cruise Line is operating a plethora of cruises to Italy this year, where mosquitos are present.
- As mosquitos can spread diseases, the cruise line is encouraging passengers to take measures to avoid getting bitten in the first place.
- Preventative actions include keeping skin covered with clothing, investing in bug spray that contains DEET, and wearing clothes that have been treated with permethrin.
One of the easiest ways to ruin a cruise vacation is staying up all night because of annoying and itchy mosquito bites. I’ve been there, done that, and can assure you that you don’t want to try it.
Norwegian Cruise Line will be operating 27 cruises to Italy before 2025 ends, and is also warning guests about mosquitoes ahead of time to prevent these common pests from ruining any sailings.
For reference, the cruises will be operated by Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Sky, and Norwegian Viva.
Mosquito bites usually just result in a few days of annoyance, which is of course not fun, but NCL would also like to protect its passengers from the diseases these insects may carry.
“Ensuring your health and safety is our utmost priority throughout your journey with us,” the cruise line wrote in a letter to booked guests.
“As part of our commitment to your well-being, we want to inform you about the presence of mosquitos in certain destinations that we will be visiting during your sailing,” the letter reads.
Several species of mosquitos are currently present in Italy, ranging from the common house mosquito to intrusive varieties like the Asian tiger mosquito.
“Many diseases transmitted by mosquitos do not have vaccines or specific medications for prevention. Therefore, the most effective way to minimize your risk is by taking proactive measures to prevent mosquito bites,” NCL added.
The aforementioned Asian tiger mosquito, which can be recognized by its black and white stripes, is usually the culprit when it comes to spreading diseases.
In recent months, West Nile virus and dengue fever have been the most prevalent threats, but cases of chikungunya and Zika virus have also been reported in the past.
If a cruise guest is bitten and develops symptoms like fever, headache, muscle or joint pain, and/or a rash, they are encouraged to seek immediate treatment from the onboard medical center.
Staying Safe From Mosquito Bites
We already know that the best way to prevent bug-borne illness is to never get bitten in the first place, but how can cruisers make themselves less appetizing to these insects?
Luckily, Norwegian Cruise Line shared a list of suggestions that have been provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
First, cruisers should choose outfits that keep their skin covered as much as possible. After all, if the buggies can’t get to your skin, they can’t bite!
This means wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats to stay protected, as well as opting for closed-toe shoes like boots.
I’m particularly fond of the sun shirts and hoodies sold by companies like REI and the North Face, which protect you from the elements but are made with light fabric to keep you cool in warmer weather.
As an added level of protection, passengers may also want to treat their clothing and bags with permethrin. However, this synthetic insecticide should never be allowed to touch skin to avoid negative reactions.
Read Also: Is it Safe to Go on a Cruise – All You Need to Know
Of course, there is always the tried-and-true method of wearing insect repellants that contain DEET as an active ingredient, which are actually designed for direct application onto skin.
There are a variety of bug sprays out there to choose from, so make sure to consult the list of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents before purchasing.
Additionally, you can even buy mosquito repellent bracelets. These are small, easy to pack, and usually waterproof.
Though results with these bracelets alone aren’t foolproof, they are a good add-on when other preventative measures are already being taken.
Finally, try to prioritize accommodations that are air-conditioned, screened-in, and far away from areas with standing water (which is where mosquitoes like to hang out).
This likely won’t be an issue once onboard the cruise ship, but it is something to think about when booking accommodations for before and after the sailing.
