Covid-19 forced several industries to upend day-to-day functions from a health and safety perspective completely. And the cruise industry was no exception -- a once general concern about preventing illness on a bustling, primarily self-contained cruise ship became essential to the future of the industry. No one knew how long covid-related relations would last, so it was important to find long-term solutions.
Major companies like Carnival Cruise Line (CCL), Royal Caribbean (RCL), and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) shifted to accommodate new, more rigorous protocols. Ships stepped up air filtration systems, limited crowd-related activities, and remained diligent about proper cleaning and disinfection.
Last summer, when the CDC stopped regulating cruise ships the way it had during covid, some changes stuck around. For instance, many cruise ships have switched from the forever-taking on-deck muster drill to a digital version that allows guests to learn safety protocols from their rooms. Other covid rules, like social distancing, are no longer necessary parts of the cruise experience.
But there's one part of the cruise experience that remains largely unaffected by the hyper-vigilant covid-related cleaning protocols. And while its infection dangers are much lower than that of the covid 19 virus, studies say that this activity is still really, really gross.
A typical Royal Caribbean or Carnival cruise ship has multiple hot tubs/spas on the pool deck, In addition, both cruise lines often offers additional hot tubs/spas in their adults-only areas. Those hot tubs tend to be maintained at a higher temperature than the ones open to all ages. Both cruise lines also post capacity limits for their hot tubs/spas, but since covid rules have disappeared, those limits are rarely, if ever, enforced.
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Cruisers Beware: Crowded Hot Tubs Pose Some Problems
Cruise ships are a place to relax and rejuvenate for many passengers, but one of the most popular spots to rest your bones might be full of some yucky stuff left behind by relaxers past. According to a recent study, public hot tubs contain approximately 100mg of feces that usually lives between our cheeks. No, not the ones on your face, the other ones. On top of that, warm water in a hot tub or spa is a breeding ground for bodily bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The more people who frequent a cruise’s hot tubs, the more folks you’re likely to share these various yuckies with.
“The hot tubs on mainstream cruise lines are often more lukewarm than hot while being packed with people. Broken jets aren't uncommon and being elbow to elbow, with your fellow passengers is the norm,” TheStreet’s cruise line expert Daniel Kline says.
To Get In the Hot Tub: Yea or Nay?
For many, this may not be a huge revelation. Many of us have gotten into a hot tub/spa with a shaving nick or ingrown hair and come out with some kind of bacterial infection. Any time you get into a hot tub you didn't clean yourself, you roll the dice a little. Public pools and hot tubs tend to recycle water, which can increase your risk.
But if you must have a soak, the CDC has some recommendations for how to be as safe as possible. Some of the highlights include taking a shower or bath with soap beforehand. We also recommend doing the same when you get out of the hot tub, just to be safe. Other measures, like staying out of a hot tub when you're sick and avoiding getting water in your mouth seem pretty obvious but should stay top of mind.
If you're concerned about the water quality in your cruise's hot tubs/spas, take a look at the water. If it's cloudy, pack up your towel and find another leisure activity, because that tub needs cleaning. But clear water doesn't always mean clean, so when it doubt, give it a good whiff. Pools with unclean water will actually put off a strong chemical smell.
