5 Foods to Skip for Smooth Sailing

Got a cruise scheduled this winter? Between Turks and Caicos Beaches Booking, Silversea Cruises, Princess Cruises, and more, there are so many amazing options. Get ready for beautiful scenery, fun activities and excursions, and delicious food—but before you eat just anything, you should know that there are some foods to avoid. If you want to enjoy your vacation and not get sick, we recommend leaving these foods on the serving platters:

1. Sushi

While sushi bars have great appeal, it is probably best to avoid the delicacy, especially when it comes to raw sushi. Sushi and other raw food items need to be kept at a temperature of 40 degrees or colder, and if it’s been sitting out at a buffet, it can be hard to maintain this temp. This makes sushi a breeding ground for bacteria which can make you very sick—so it’s best to avoid that California roll and opt for something else. 

2. Food that isn’t very hot

Buffets are one of the main attractions of dining on a cruise; however, it’s important to note that hot foods must be kept at a temperature of 140 degrees or higher to kill bacteria and be safe to consume. If your food isn’t steaming, you might want to skip out on the dish. 

3. Local water

While not a food, local water is worth noting. Staying hydrated is essential at any time, but especially on a vacation that hits the hot, humid beaches or has you doing activities. It’s best to avoid drinking local water wherever your ship is docking as drinking water may not be clean—drinking this water can make you very sick and ruin your vacation. Better to be safe than sorry and get some bottled water to keep yourself hydrated. 

4. Scrambled eggs

Instead of going to the premade scrambled egg servings at the buffet, you should look for an omelet station to ensure fresh cracked eggs. Otherwise, these scrambled eggs are typically made from a powdered or liquid mix, which is not a very appetizing concept. Additionally, when these eggs sit out in the buffet for some time, they can become dry or watery, both of which are unpleasant. 

5. Spicy foods

Generally, spicy foods can irritate the stomach lining, leaving you feeling nauseous and unwell. On a cruise ship, if you already suffer from seasickness, this is one of the last things you want. If you know you can handle spice, you should be fine—but otherwise, you should probably avoid the spicy menu items to keep you feeling your best during your vacation.