Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

I am proud to be certified by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) as an Elite Cruise Counselor. The Cruise Counselor Certification Program is CLIA's most comprehensive training which requires agents to successfully complete a number of compulsory training courses and exams, attend cruise conferences, and conduct ship inspections. Anita Thompson, Attheta Travel, dba Cruise Holidays.

Monday, July 1, 2024

Medical Care on a Cruise Ship

We hope this is something you won’t really need to know, but if you ever become ill while on a cruise, medical care will be available on board. All cruise ships have onboard medical facilities staffed by trained, qualified professionals. And while the scope of care they can provide varies a bit from ship to ship, most can treat and manage a range of conditions.

You should visit the onboard medical center for the same reasons you would visit your primary care physician or an urgent care center at home, such as cold or flu symptoms, muscle strains, cuts and scrapes, or abdominal discomfort. Onboard medical centers usually stock over-the-counter medications like pain relievers and seasickness remedies, as well as some prescription medications (but if you take prescription medication, remember to bring enough of your own supply for the length of your cruise).

You should also go to the medical center for conditions that would have you calling 911 or going to a hospital emergency department at home, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, severe injury, and high blood pressure or blood sugar levels. If you need diagnostics or treatment beyond what can be provided on the ship (for example, onboard medical facilities usually don’t provide invasive testing, surgery or long-term care), the medical team will work to stabilize you and arrange a transfer to a medical facility on shore.

Note that most insurance plans don’t cover medical services and treatments you receive outside the country, whether you’re on a ship or in a medical facility on shore. This is a compelling reason to consider purchasing travel insurance, which would help cover out-of-pocket costs if you need extensive medical treatment, to be evacuated from the ship, or even to return home. Your professional travel advisor can help you select a travel insurance policy.

Hopefully, you’ll never need to use the services of an onboard medical center, but it’s comforting to know it’s there. While cruising, you can help protect your health by following safety guidelines, eating well, staying hydrated, and getting enough rest.

If you have a chronic medical condition or specific medical needs, ask Anita, your professional travel advisor, to help you check the capabilities of the medical facilities on cruise ships you’re interested in. And, visit your physician before you pay the final installment of your cruise fare, just to make sure you’re in good shape to sail away.

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