Those with a healthy dose of wanderlust and a love for globetrotting are always faced with the fact that one can get exposed to more germs, bacteria and viruses than those that choose to stay at home. Especially in those times of the year when those particularly pesky viruses like Norovirus, Ebola, H1N1 varieties, SARS, MERS, or the latest COVID-19 are most prevalent.

Germ-Free?

News flash — there really is no guaranteed germ-free traveling. Period. However, there are things you can do to prevent exposure to unwanted germs and viruses as much as possible. Some of the suggestions may seem extreme, perhaps, but it never hurts to keep these things in mind to keep you and your significant other out of germs' way as much as possible while traveling.

Top Tips for any Travel

• Make sure to take extra doses of Vitamin C, D, probiotics, and zinc and greens to boost your immune system a few weeks prior to traveling.
• Check and pack germ-free travel kits, including airplane tray table covers and toilet seat covers.
• Wash your hands often. Bring and actually use that hand sanitizer.

Top Tips for Flying

When Booking

• Definitely choose a window seat. There is less interaction with the constant flow of passerby's in the aisles.

Before Boarding

• Check and bring with germ-free travel kits, including airplane tray table covers
• The trays at the checkpoint are never cleaned, don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth during the check and wash your hands immediately after you pass the checkpoint and use hand sanitizer.

On Board

• Bring your own disinfecting wipes and wipe down any surface, including your seat belt buckles, tray table, and armrests.
• On shorter flights, don't use the bathroom if you can avoid it.
• On longer flights, don't touch any handles or faucet or button in those bathrooms with bare hands.
• Use hand sanitizer also before you eat or drink, and also after you wash your hands in the bathroom sink.
• Avoid using the seatback pockets, they are never cleaned and full of germs.
• If a passenger close to you is coughing, sneezing, or seems ill, try and get another seat at least three rows removed.
• It may not look very attractive, but wear a mask; choose one with a coal filter and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
• Turn on the overhead air vents called "gaspers" and angle the flow of air from your hands to your lap. This will push any airborne germs to the ground.
• Drink lots of water! Low cabin humidity dries the mucous membranes in your nose, making them less protective against infections.
• Use bottled water to brush your teeth.

Top Tips for Attending Lifestyle Events on Cruise Ships

For those loving sexy cruise vacations, it's good to know that every single cruise company has super strict CDC Vessel Sanitation Programs they need to adhere to, and that cruise companies are and have to be extremely thorough when it comes to putting safeguards in place.

Will it be 100% foolproof? Nope, nothing ever is, but the fact is that the newsworthy stories are usually just about the few incidents, while hundreds of ships are sailing around the globe without any issues, so there's a bit of perspective.

Before Getting On Board

• When you feel ill or have a fever, please don't travel or board a ship
• Pack charcoal-activated travel toothbrushes

While On Board

• Wipe down all surfaces in your cabin with disinfecting wipes.
• Use hand sanitizer before you eat or drink anything.
• Keep your personal hygiene at the highest of standards.
• Brush your teeth using bottled water.
• Opt for à la carte dining in favor of the buffet.
• Avoid the public restrooms if you can.
• When you feel ill, check-in with the shipboard doctor and stay in your cabin.
• Use germ-killing mouthwash for an extra layer of protection.

Tips When Attending Swinger Events

When you attend any event meant for swingers, needless to say, there will be a lot of up-close and personal action to be expected. That’s why you’re there! Now, be that as it may, there are a few things you can do to prevent you boarding on unwelcome germs:

• Stay home if you are feeling sick, have a fever or a cold. Really — no need to spread that kind of love.
• If you have a cold sore, don’t go around and kiss; these things are not fun.
• If you get sick during an event, ask for a doctor, and don’t leave your room; consider leaving the event for your well-being and everyone there with you.
• Make sure all your health check-ups are up to date.

Now, we can’t stop living our lives in fear of all that could happen, because we’re peering into the unknown at all times anyway and we’d never be able to experience anything, let alone anything super sexy, like SDC Parties and SDC Travel Events around the globe!

Solid Planning is Worth It!

It cannot be stressed enough that it's always sensible to take charge of your destiny and yourselves at your chosen destination as much as possible. Keep in mind that when you purchase flight tickets and tickets to events, no matter which organizer, you are entering into a business contract that its own set of policies and stipulations that all these businesses adhere to. After all, businesses can’t exist nor thrive without this in place.

So, last but certainly not least — always make sure you that when you book flight tickets, you opt-in for the cancellation policy. Plus, make it a point to contact your private insurance company at the time of purchase or within 21 days of purchasing a trip to insure the cost of your vacation and look for the option to cancel at any time, for any reason. After all, situations could, for instance, be work-related, family-related, a suddenly-announced wedding — anything!

It's for sure the most expensive option, but it gives you absolute peace of mind, plus it's less expensive than potentially losing all your money. It also pays to check your coverages if you pay by credit card, as some credit card companies cover quite a bit. Just don’t expect businesses to feel sorry for you and just give you your money back at any given time for any reason just because you didn’t want to spend the extra money for insurance. That’s entirely your choice, so choose wisely! You never need it until you do, so, by all means, live life and the lifestyle to the fullest, keeping in mind that life can throw the possible and seemingly impossible odd curb balls at times.

Just do it. Okay?