vaccines

Never heard of them being required! Many years ago, my mom had to have a smallpox vaccine to come to the US from Europe, but that was in the 60's...and coming the other direction.

No proof of immunizations is required.

If there were immunizations needed, the cruise line would have informed you. Don't worry -- none are necessary.

Measles outbreaks are ocurring in the US also. Here is the CDC recommendation for measles: All adults born during or after 1957 should receive at least one dose of vaccine unless they have documented evidence of measles immunity (a blood test or a physician's diagnosis of measles). Two doses are recommended for all international travelers, healthcare personnel, and students of secondary and post-secondary educational facilities. I obtained this from the CDC website www.cdc.org This vaccine is usually given as the vaccine MMR which could now be obtained and administered by a pharmacist in pharmacies varying by state law or your MD.

You're biggest danger is probably getting sick from a virus on board the ship -- outbreaks of various viri are surprisingly common on big cruise ships.

Actually, I'd say your biggest danger is actually missing all of Europe while you're stuck on the ship and then briefly escorted through an occasional artifical mass-tourism bubble during the stops...but that's what you signed up for.

Proof of vaccinations should be the least of your worries.

It would be nice if you get a vaccine against the snotty comment like the one above. Some people take cruises because it gives them a taste of a country or lots of countries in a short period of time and they can then make a decision about whether to come back to explore more.
No vaccines required for Europe, enjoy your cruise. We went with Royal Caribbean to Alaska last year ending up in San Diego at the end. Had an awesome time and it made us want to come back for more, though with the attitude displayed above, maybe my dollars can be better spent elsewhere, like at home, or hey, in Europe like they will be this coming Fall.
Enjoy your time away
Pete

Hi Patty, My sister and her husband love to cruise and did a trip similar to what you have planned and had a great time. They met people from England that they are now friends with. About vaccines, none is required but I would ask your doctor to see what he or she recommends. A friend going to Holland in Sept was told by her doctor she should update some of her shots (including tetnus) never hurts to ask.

Unless you have a known risk for a disease, you don't need a vaccine to go to Europe.

Thanks, everyone for your support! It is a little upsetting to see someone say something so lousy when everyone else has been so awesome and helpful. I actually won the trip and chose Europe because it is the trip of a lifetime for next to nothing. Actually, not too much time is spent "locked up" on the ship. I was concerned about vaccines because there was a mention that some ports may want to seee actual current documentation. I wasn't planning on getting shots I didn't want!
Thanks again

Congratulations of winning your trip. You'll have a wonderful time. My sister always seems to get a balcony. She loves watching the scenery go by her window or sitting out on her private balcony. A friend won a Carribean cruise this past March. She decided to pay for upgrading her cabin since the cruise was free. Will they include the shore excursion or do you have to pay for them? Maybe you could get a list of what is being offered in each port so you can start to plan and dream. When my husband and I took a New England cruise I signed up for many trip offered and he instead went walking around the areas.

Spain, Italy and France don't require any special immunizations.

Patty,

You don't need any vaccine for Europe.
Doctors always want people to get vaccines. They make money off it.
It's always a good idea to check with the embassy of the countries you will be traveling to for the latest info.
Happy travels!