Get Medical Treatment on a Cruise

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Fortunately, most of us will never get seriously sick on a cruise. If you do become very ill it can be costly to obtain major medical treatment, possible evacuation, plus a trip home. All cruise lines, which handle a lot of US passengers, have a facility and medical staff. Usually it's a doctor and nurse and maybe additional personnel. They will have equipment in the infirmary and the range of equipment will depend on the size of the ship. There is some planning you can do to make sure you'll be well taken care of if you do fall ill.

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Checking into what your medical insurance, your homeowner's insurance and your trip insurance (if any) policies cover when you're traveling is a good idea. A couple of quick calls to both your major medical insurance company and your homeowner insurance company or reps can indicate if you need to consider additional trip insurance for illness. Either of them might be able to add additional insurance for your trip at a very nominal cost.;

Ask your doctor's advice regarding special insurance if you suffer from a chronic disease or condition. Again, if extra insurance is advised, check with your insurance carriers to see about obtaining additional insurance for your cruise.;

Check with the cruise line if you expect to need wheelchairs, oxygen tanks and similar items. They'll let you know if they can accommodate you and the possible cost of any of these items or services.;

If you're pregnant, check the cruise line's policy on how far along they will allow a pregnant woman to travel on the ship. Most ships are twenty seven weeks but some are twenty four weeks.;

Remember to take any required medications with you in your carry-on bag. The ship may not have what you need, even if it's an emergency.

Becoming seasick is the most common type of illness to occur on a cruise. Fortunately, there are several types of medication for this � check with the ship sundry/gift shop, the purser's desk or the infirmary. Dramamine, Dramamine II and Bonine are the usual medications for this ailment. Common sense also helps � go out on deck if you feel seasick, munch on some saltine crackers and drink Ginger Ale.;

Feeling ill and not getting any relief from over-the-counter remedies means you should call the infirmary. They'll make an appointment and you'll go in for an examination, diagnosis and, hopefully, treatment. Sometimes they will visit you in your stateroom, and/or send an attendant in a wheelchair to bring you to the ship's infirmary. The ship doctor will decide whether you must leave the ship and go to a hospital on land for additional tests and/or treatment.;

Payment will be expected before you leave the ship. Once on land, you'll be subjected to the hospital and/or doctor's office regarding their payment policy.;

When you book your cruise you might request a handicap cabin if you need one due to a temporary or permanent disability. You might request a wheelchair and/or a cart at this time also.;

At least sixteen cruise lines are members of the International Council of Cruise Lines, a non-profit trade association that takes a very proactive stance on medical care and treatment at sea. Specific guidelines have been set to provide emergency medical care for passengers and crew; stabilize patients and initiate reasonable diagnostic and therapeutic intervention; facilitate the evacuation of seriously ill/injured patients if deemed necessary by a qualified physician.