...and for others who've been or are going on similar itineraries. I'm getting ready to talk to my doc about recommended innoculations and medications for the trip. The big issue is going to be anti-malarials. Our overnights off the ship are to Cairo, Luxor, Petra/Wadi Rum, and Madikwe Hills.

Ngaire informs us that the Madikwe area is malaria-free. I'm assuming that the Egypt/Jordan overnight areas are not mosquito-prone. However, some of the countries where we will be calling are considered malaria areas. So, the only reason I'd want anti-malarials is if there's a danger during day excursions (and I'm told that the mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, so that hopefully shouldn't be an issue) or on the ship.

So, my question is, should we be concerned about mosquitoes while on the ship? Actually, the second question is, are any of my above assumptions wrong?

While my doctor gives travel shots, I'm not counting on her knowing where in the world is and is not malaria-free, nor whether malaria could be a concern while cruising.

Crystal, check out http://gis.hhs.gov/website/mrisk9/viewer.htm and search for country to the left. Hope this helps. Linda & Larry

Crystal,
I don't think you're going to need the malaria meds. We too were in Madikwe, malaria free area, and other areas where you're going. We didn't take anything. The time we did need the meds was on the SA trip when we were way up the Amazon where we had the malaria, yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis and the works.

Crystal,

We were in South Africa, Kenya, Egypt and Jordan in June,2006. We brought malaria pills for Kenya but didn't use them.

Our guide, a South African, said because it was dry season he wasn't using them. A US MD in our group said he wasn't using them either, so we decided not to.

We did see (hear) a few mosquitoes at night in Kenya, but nowhere else. We used small amounts of Deet there and used the netting around our bed. We were never bitten.

Our mantra is the least medicine is the best medicine - but when you need it you need it.

You'll be there a different time of year so see what your doctor suggests and make the decision that's right for you.

If you visit an where malaria exists (great site, Linda & Larry) you will be disqualified as a blood donor for a period of time after returning home regardless of how short of a time you were in the area or whether any mosquitoes were present.

In case your doctor does decide to prescribe anti-malaria pills for you, the following is a tip that was passed on to our daughter by a doctor friend who had made many trips to West Africa: before leaving home, take a sharp knife and score a line around the hard shiny coating of the pill. This will allow the medication to be released into your system better when you do take it.

When we did Cape Town to Singapore on the Voyager a couple of years ago (which included Kenya, Tanzania, Maldives, Seychelles and Sri Lanka, which are all in Malaria zones), we did take Malaria meds (malerone??) with no side effects. Also had to get yellow fever and other shots which last for ten years. We just felt it was better safe. Linda & Larry

When we did the 2007 World Cruise to South America, Africa, the Indian Ocean islands, Malaysia, Southeast Asia and India we had the medicine (Malerone)with us, but decided not to take it. We knew some pople who had some side effects. We decided from the US CDC and State Dept. maps that we weren't going to be spending mcuh time in areas that were even somewhat suspect and not overnight.

Thanks for the link and for the information. That's very helpful. Kathy, I have another two years left on disqualification from blood donation for other reasons--I guess that's going to get extended.