Most people think that getting prepared for a trip abroad simply means receiving the appropriate immunizations. But educating yourself about your destination, the health concerns you may encounter there, and ways to lower your risk for illness no matter where you're traveling is also extremely important.
Of course, anywhere in the world, you're vulnerable to the same garden-variety respiratory ailments you may encounter at home, such as a cold or the flu. But the classic traveler's complaint is diarrhea. Traveler’s diarrhea can be contracted by ingesting contaminated food, water, or beverages. In fact, sometimes the "contamination" is not so much virulent organisms as simply different organisms than that your body is used to at home.The best way to protect your children from traveler’s diarrhea is to make sure they eat only cooked foods and peeled fruit, and drink only boiled water or water from a sealed bottle (in some countries, unscrupulous vendors sell "bottled" water that is simply filled from local taps). Should your child come down with a diarrheal illness despite these precautions, the mainstay of treatment is to maintain hydration. In young children, this can best be done with oral rehydration solutions. Prescribed antibiotics can sometimes also shorten the course of illness of traveler’s diarrhea.
Hepatitis A and typhoid fever are also transmitted through contaminated water and food. Shots taken prior to travel can help prevent both of these diseases. A single shot of hepatitis A vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective in preventing infection with hepatitis A virus. We recommend giving a second shot six months later to help ensure long-lasting protection. Since the hepatitis A vaccine can only be given to children over two years of age, parents traveling with younger children should consider getting their youngsters a shot of immune globulin to prevent hepatitis A. This immunization, however, only works for up to five months.The typhoid vaccine can be obtained either through an immunization or taken by mouth in a capsule form. The shot is a single dose and provides protection for up to two years; the capsule form lasts up to five years. The typhoid shot can be given to children 2 years of age and older and the oral capsule form can be given to children 6 years of age and older. At present, there is no vaccine for very young children, so parents must closely monitor what these young children eat and drink.The bite of an infected mosquito can lead to several tropical infections, some of which can be very serious in children.
Yellow fever, seen in some areas of South America and sub-Saharan Africa, can be prevented with an intramuscular immunization. (This is currently the only disease for which many countries require proof of immunization prior to entry.) Japanese encephalitis is geographically confined to the Asian continent and is most commonly seen in rural agricultural areas. A series of three shots given over the course of a month prior to departure is needed to achieve protection.Malaria and dengue fever are also caused by the bite of an infected mosquito and occur in numerous areas throughout the world. Although no vaccine is currently available, medications can be prescribed to prevent malaria. The best medication and proper dose to prevent malaria is selected based on the destination and the child’s size; your child's health history and medication-taking habits should also be taken into account. There is currently no vaccine or medication to prevent dengue fever.One of the best ways to prevent diseases carried by mosquitoes is to decrease your child’s exposure to the insects. Keep your child inside from dusk to dawn. Have your child wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and long pants. Keep windows closed and use bed netting. Insect repellents are also crucial to minimizing mosquito bites.
If you're planning a trip abroad with your children, it's best to schedule your family's shots at least four to six weeks ahead. This is because it takes a while after receiving the shots until your body is actually protected. Although your children's pediatrician or family practice physician may have some of the shots needed for travel, it's often helpful for the family to visit a special travel clinic before departure, such as Duke's Travel Clinic, to receive the more unusual shots and special advice prior to your trip.While the health risks for any foreign trip depend on several factors, the destination is the single most important one. When our patients are planning a foreign vacation, we recommend that they first visit the National Center for Infectious Diseases Travelers' Health web page, which is packed with useful information.
A few last reminders: Make sure that your children have received all of their routine childhood shots before departing. If your child takes any particular medications, remember to obtain and pack an adequate supply. And don’t forget to bring sunscreen. Bon voyage!Emmanuel Walter, MD, is Director of the Duke Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Unit and he is Associate Director of the Primary Care Research Consortium. Dennis Clements, MD, PhD, is interim chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center. For more information, visit: www.dukehealth.org
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On a Carnival Fun Ship, one low price covers just about everything including our award winning Camp Carnival® 
children's program for ages 2-15. You don't have to worry about all the expenses which add up when traveling with children.
The Camp Program includes specially designed programs for four age groups, evening babysitting (for a nominal fee), specially trained staff, youth playrooms including computers, children's menu and a waterslide and kids wading pool. During the cruise, your kids will have tons of fun exploring their Carnival "Fun Ship", enjoying all kinds of games, parties, talent shows, and other fun - all under the friendly supervision of Camp Carnival counselors. This is a family vacation they will never forget
Being a kid is all about having fun. Coincidentally, so is vacation. But kids and parents rarely agree on what is fun.
To parents, fancy dinners, late night shows and reading by the pool are fun. Kids have more fun playing games, doing scavenger hunts, and going down waterslides. The good news is that all of these activities occur on a cruise, making a cruise the vacation of choice for today's families.
Under the supervision of the youth staff, kids can play video games, eat pizza and play in a ball pit, while parents relax and have a fabulous five course meal. It is a parent's and kid's dream come true!
There is nothing like the Magic and Wonder of a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Adults find excitement and indulgence. Children have the time of their lives. Families unite and everyone makes memories to last a lifetime. There is something special for everyone who boards Disney's grand ships. The ships were designed with separate areas and themed activities for all age groups so everyone has their own kind of magical experience. The best part is when they all meet up again at the end of the day, they're renewed and relaxed with lots of adventures to share!
Of course Disney has designed their ships with family travel in mind. 
In fact, more than 15,000 square feet of space is dedicated to children's programs. Staterooms are larger than average, and have a unique layout that is particularly family friendly. And with ingenious design and a wide variety of activities aboard Disney vessels, there's truly something for everyone. Spas are open to adults, pool facilities for families and play areas open to children. Disney also has fantastic entertainment that includes special production shows that can only be seen aboard a Disney vessel. It's a great mix of multigenerational activities that's uniquely Disney!
NCL's Kid's Crew™ is a program of things to do, places to go and kids to meet. It's like recess, only longer.
You can enjoy a massage while they're on a treasure hunt. Play roulette while they're camping out, or head for the Chocoholic Buffet™ while they're having a pillow fight at a pajama party. Every minute they spend in Kid's Crew™ is carefully supervised by a staff of youth counselors from leading universities and organizations. There are circuses, crafts, parades, sports, games, stories and parties. Campouts with flashlights and tents, and cooking classes where they can make pizza or pancakes with funny faces. There is T-shirt painting, face painting and poolside root beer floats. Treasure hunts and sand castle competitions on our private island. And even shore excursions designed just for families. Of course we promise we'll give them plenty of time to spend with you, too.
The goal of the family vacation is simple: find that elusive experience that allows both parents and children to enjoy their favorite activities as well as spend quality time together. Love Boat Kids is Princess' program for children ages three to 17 years. While youth facilities vary by vessel, children are welcomed with a myriad of games and activities on all Princess ships including arts and crafts, pool games, 
scavenger hunts, deck parties, bridge and galley tours, afternoon ice cream, videos and cartoons.
The Love Boat Kids program also enables youngsters to participate in a special environmental program called "Save Our Seas," created by the California Coastal Commission and the Center for Marine Conservation. Throughout the cruise, children will enjoy activities designed to teach them about the oceans and marine life. Teens can enjoy dancing in their own private disco, murder mystery games, theme parties, shipboard Olympics, karaoke and lip sync shows, pizza parties and movie fests, and are supervised by a dedicated staff of youth activity professionals.
