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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