Booking a winter cruise is an exciting way to escape frigid temperatures and dreary weather. However, as you’re lounging by the pool or enjoying the endless onboard entertainment, you might notice the cruise ship and ocean air taking a toll on your skin and sinuses.
While your time on the open seas can have some unexpected side effects, you might be surprised to learn that a portable travel humidifier is an ideal companion when traveling. With a little preparation and the right tools, you can ensure your comfort and enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
How Cruises Affect Your Skin & Sinuses
Even though you’re on water, cruise ship air tends to be especially dry. Cruise lines often blast the air conditioning indoors to prevent mold. Unfortunately, that means a notable lack of moisture in the air, which can leave your skin, sinuses, and throat dry and irritated.
This can be especially troublesome for those with chronic skin issues and sinus problems, resulting in:
- Itchy skin
- Irritation
- Dry sinuses
- Congestion
- Headaches
If you find mold or mildew on your cruise, you may experience more severe sinus issues and allergy symptoms. Even salt residue from the salty ocean air can dry and irritate your skin.
Tips to Improve Your Comfort on Winter Cruises
1. Stay Hydrated
One of the easiest ways to keep your skin and sinuses happy is to stay hydrated. Dry cruise ship air can give you a dry throat and cough—and drinking alcohol can also lead to dehydration. Drinking water is the best way to soothe a parched throat and rehydrate thirsty skin. If you’re having beer, wine, or cocktails on board, remember to also order water to stay properly hydrated.
2. Pack a Nasal Spray
Over-the-counter nasal sprays for sinus congestion can provide quick relief and help you breathe easier when you’re traveling. Saline solutions can also be useful if you need to flush out irritants, like dust or allergens, that may be causing inflammation and blockages.
3. Strengthen Your Skincare Routine
You may need to shake up your skincare when traveling. Cruises can take you to all sorts of places, so it’s a good idea to be prepared with the right products to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
Good quality skin and facial moisturizers are must-haves when you’re exposed to dry air and salt water. If your cruise is docking in a humid area, and you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors, opt for a lightweight product that won’t feel greasy in the humidity.
Dry, cool locations call for a rich, extra-hydrating product.
No matter what the moisture levels are like, make sure to apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily to protect your skin from harmful UV rays and reapply every two hours when you’re outdoors.
4. Cover Up
Even if the weather’s warm, covering as much of your skin as possible is a good way to prevent dryness and sun damage. Air-conditioned cabins combined with whipping winds on decks can significantly dry out your skin. Wearing clothes that cover your arms and legs protects the skin from drying breezes and air. If you expect it to be hot, pack plenty of light, breathable fabrics—like cotton and linen—to ensure you stay comfortable.
5. Bring a Travel Humidifier
Most of these tips will keep you comfortable during the day, but what about at night? Breathing in dry, recycled cruise ship air all night can have you waking up with dry sinuses, a cough, and itchy, tight-feeling skin. You need a way to minimize sinus and skin issues throughout the night.
Travel humidifiers offer several benefits on cruise ships, specifically:
- Moisturizing dehydrated skin
- Alleviating itchiness
- Hydrating dry sinuses
- Soothing nose and throat irritation
- Easing congestion
Sleeping with a humidifier on can help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy your vacation days. That’s why Canopy’s Portable Humidifier is a must-have for cruise travel.
Humidifiers add much-needed moisture into the air—but are they really packable? Our travel-friendly humidifier was made to provide moisture anywhere, any time. It’s compact, durable, and designed for travel, featuring a reusable bag and a rechargeable battery that delivers 11 hours of clean hydration.
Equipped with our proprietary Smart Persistent Airflow (SPA) technology, this device inhibits mold growth to help you breathe easier. Even better, it’s easy to clean and dishwasher safe. Thoughtfully designed to angle moisture towards you for maximum benefits, your humidifier will be your newest travel companion for on-the-go wellness, on and off the high seas.
