The best way to stay healthy at sea is don’t indulge in more alcohol and food than you would at home and wash your hands often. Many cruise lines offer hand sanitizer dispensers in front of restaurants and next to the gangway.
Disney Cruise Line recommends guests to use them when boarding the ship after visiting a port and before each meal. They also urge guests to purchase Disney Cruise Vacation Insurance for costs incurred for treatment and medical evaluation/repatriation.
Doctor visits, cabin calls and procedures range in price from $100 on up, medical evacuations can cost over $10,000. Read the fine print in your cruise documents and understand your financial responsibility if you get sick. To be safe, buy travel insurance that covers health-related issues.
Each Crystal Cruise Line ship has 1 doctor and 3 nurses onboard their medical facility. We interviewed a doctor, who told us he invites doctors listed on the passenger list to a cocktail party the first night at sea. He inquires about the doctor’s specialty and asks if he may consult with them if needed during the cruise.
For passengers with a medical condition, cruise lines urge travelers to bring a letter from their doctor outlining their condition, treatment and recommendations, along with a list of the medicines and prescriptions you are currently taking, just in case something happens at sea.
Holland America has 2 doctors and 2-3 nurses on each ship available 24 hour a day for emergencies. All ships medical centers have two exam rooms, an isolation room, radiology suite, Intensive Care Unit and pharmacy. Guests should bring plenty of their medications, in case the ship’s pharmacy doesn’t carry it.
Princess Cruise Lines staffs up to two British certified doctors and up to five nurses, all full-time maritime medicine specialist. These shipboard doctors all have at least three years of post-graduate medical training including experience in primary care, minor surgery, emergency medical care, and cardiac care. All are certified in Advanced Life Support. At least one doctor on every ship is also certified in Advanced Trauma Life Support.
Royal Caribbean has two fully licensed doctors and three nurses aboard every ship. The medical center hours are listed in the daily Cruise Compass.
When at sea, know you are in good hands with a professional medical team.
