Immunization requirements change frequently. These requirements are established by the countries you are visiting. For this reason you should contact your local physician, Health Department and/or travel medicine clinic to discuss immunization requirements for all countries on your itinerary.

International travelers can take a number of simple steps to avoid potential health problems before and during travel:

* Contact your local physician ideally 4-6 weeks prior to departure.

* It is important to receive current health information on the countries you plan to visit.

* Obtain all necessary vaccinations and preventative medications. It is important to address any special needs.

* Immunizations may be recommended or required for countries visited on your cruise itinerary. If you are traveling to (or transiting through) Africa or South America, for example, you may require a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. This vaccination can be administered only by a state approved clinic.

It is also a good idea to bring along a record of your immunizations as requirements for immunizations may change.

You can find good information on vaccinations and other health precautions, on the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.