Epidemiologist Weighs Family Cruise Despite 20 Daily Close Contacts and 30% Diamond Princess Infection Estimate
Updated
Updated · Slate · May 16
Epidemiologist Weighs Family Cruise Despite 20 Daily Close Contacts and 30% Diamond Princess Infection Estimate
4 articles · Updated · Slate · May 16
A public-health expert says a family cruise next year is still on the table, even though cruise ships are highly conducive to disease spread.
A 2022 study found passengers averaged 20 unique close contacts a day, while Diamond Princess modeling suggested up to 30% of the ship was infected with COVID-19.
Evidence on how much riskier cruises are than land travel remains patchy because studies often capture only passengers sick enough to visit the ship's doctor and risk cabin isolation.
One 105-day world cruise reported about 20% of passengers saw the doctor for infections, mostly respiratory or gastrointestinal, while recent outbreaks on Ambition and MV Hondius kept cruise health risks in focus.
The epidemiologist says the decision depends on age, vulnerability and convenience, and recommends masks, handwashing and more time on deck to cut infection risk.
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