In this guide
  1. 1. Know how to reach the medical center
  2. 2. Call early, even for mild symptoms
  3. 3. Bring your health information
  4. 4. Follow isolation instructions
  5. 5. Expect a bill
  6. 6. If you need hospital care ashore
  7. 7. After the cruise
  8. Sources
General information, not medical advice. This guide explains common options and official guidance. It can't account for your health, medicines or itinerary. Talk to your own doctor or pharmacist before your cruise. Medical disclaimer.

Getting sick at sea is stressful. Knowing the steps in advance helps. This is general information. In an emergency, call the ship’s medical center immediately.

1. Know how to reach the medical center

On day one, find the medical center on the deck plan and note its emergency number (usually shown on your cabin phone or in the ship’s app). The ACEP cruise guidelines call for a physician and another clinical provider to be readily available when the ship is at sea (ACEP guidelines, PDF).

2. Call early, even for mild symptoms

The CDC advises cruisers to report all illnesses to the ship’s medical center and follow its recommendations. For stomach bugs specifically, call promptly, even for mild symptoms (CDC Yellow Book: Cruise Ship Travel). Many centers will advise you by phone first.

Go immediately or call for help if you or someone with you has chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of stroke, a severe allergic reaction, a serious fall or head injury, heavy bleeding, confusion or fainting. Cardiovascular events are only about 3% of visits but cause about 80% of onboard deaths, so don’t wait with chest symptoms (CDC).

3. Bring your health information

Take with you:

  • Your medicine list (generic names) and the medicines themselves
  • Your health summary: conditions, allergies, recent EKG if you have one (CDC)
  • Your cruise card and insurance details

4. Follow isolation instructions

If you have a contagious illness such as norovirus, flu or COVID-19, the medical team may ask you to stay in your cabin. The CDC says to follow cruise ship isolation guidance strictly (CDC). Room service and phone check-ins usually replace public areas.

5. Expect a bill

Onboard care is typically not included in your fare, and charges usually go on your onboard account, which must be settled before you leave the ship (CDC; KFF Health News). See real cruise medical bills.

Ask for: an itemized invoice and a copy of your medical report. The CDC notes that poor documentation is a main reason insurance claims are refused (CDC Yellow Book: Travel Insurance).

6. If you need hospital care ashore

About 95% of acute problems are managed onboard; the rest may need evacuation or treatment ashore (CDC). If that happens:

  • Call your insurer’s 24/7 assistance line as early as possible. With medical evacuation insurance, the insurer decides when evacuation is needed (CDC).
  • Take your passport, medicines, phone and charger, and medical records.
  • U.S. citizens can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for help finding care and contacting family (State Department).
  • Expect to pay up front in many places, then claim later (State Department).

7. After the cruise

  • Submit receipts and reports to your insurer promptly.
  • If you feel unwell after returning, especially with fever, see a doctor and tell them where you traveled (CDC: Older Adults and Healthy Travel).

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Sources