Home :: Carnival Medical

Table Of Content

• COVID Pandemic Effects: Social Impact, Mental Health, Worklife, and more
• Do Cruise Ships Have Doctors and Medical Facilities? Explained
• Do cruise ships have doctors, nurses, or medical centers on board?
• Case Studies or Examples of Medical Incidents Handled at Sea
• Onboard Experiences
• Who pays for treatment
• CDC issues order requiring masks on cruises

Packing thousands of passengers into confined spaces, sometimes for weeks or even months, can heighten the risk of spreading contagious diseases. Cruise ship doctors normally work 7 days a week without any days off for the duration of their contract – although occasional days off may be available. Days are long, 9-12 hours normally, and doctors are on-call 24/7 in case of emergencies. Family cruise lines also need doctors with the proper certification for pediatric care – both with the training to look after children, and the background checks to prove that they are allowed to.

COVID Pandemic Effects: Social Impact, Mental Health, Worklife, and more

Luckily, all cruise ships have a medical facility onboard to treat a variety of illnesses and conditions. This article will cover what cruise ship doctors do, medical facilities on board, and procedures and regulations regarding medical needs onboard. Depending on the size of the cruise, the medical team consists of five to nine people. On smaller ships, with up to 3,500 passengers and 1,500 staff, there are two doctors, three nurses, and sometimes a medical secretary. On larger cruises, with 6,500 passengers and 2,200 staff, there are three doctors, five nurses, and a secretary.

Do Cruise Ships Have Doctors and Medical Facilities? Explained

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Most medical issues on ships are routine, yet the team is adept at providing life support services and stabilizing anyone seriously ill. This is a question that no traveler hopes to ask while onboard a cruise vacation. However, it is important for cruisers to know about the health and safety resources available to them in the event of an emergency.

Do cruise ships have doctors, nurses, or medical centers on board?

And you don’t need to pay for internet access while you’re working and doing admin, of course. While my role is equally demanding and rewarding, what I love most about being a cruise doctor is the freedom it gives and that I get to travel the world with my family. If it wasn't for cruising, I wouldn't have this lifestyle both financially and timewise.

The qualifications of cruise ship doctors are particularly impressive. They’re also required to be certified in advanced cardiac life support. Our doctors also have access to online informational resources and 24-hour support from shoreside medical professionals for additional assistance. Royal Caribbean Group also requires all doctors and nurses to maintain Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training. In responding to medical emergencies, our goal is to first stabilize emergency patients and, when necessary, evacuate the patient to an appropriately equipped and staffed shoreside medical facility. When you board a cruise ship you become part of a community of people of all ages who will be together for several days, a week or more.

Case Studies or Examples of Medical Incidents Handled at Sea

It will be open for a specified time, as shown on your daily programs, but a cruise ship doctor is on call 24 hours a day in case of medical emergencies that require immediate attention. These changes underline the importance and availability of comprehensive medical care on cruise ships. From routine ailments to emergency responses, the medical teams are equipped to handle a spectrum of health issues, ensuring the safety and well-being of every passenger and crew member.

Onboard Experiences

You’ll be able to speak to a member of the crew who will be able to page the doctor, and they will return to the medical station to see you. Accepting an offer of employment, and all terms of and conditions, will allow us to start the onboarding process. As these next steps typically take place locally in your country of residence, your application may be handled by one of our local offices. If you have been treated onboard, and need to request your medical records, please fill out the request form. Ships that carry children under age 12 are required to have at least one physician with training in pediatrics or with an equivalent emergency training that involves kids. The cost of these meds will be more than if you shopped at your home pharmacy but about the same as getting off the ship and buying them in port.

Who pays for treatment

Generally costing between 5 and 8 percent of your trip’s total price, it can cover most cruise ship medical expenses incurred onboard. Opting for travel insurance and preferably health insurance offers peace of mind, ensuring you’re financially protected against unexpected medical costs during your cruise. When it comes to medical care at sea, it’s essential to be prepared for potential costs. Treatment and medications provided by ship physicians are usually charged to your cabin account, often requiring immediate out-of-pocket payment. Cruise ship doctors, who typically operate as independent contractors, may charge an hourly fee, with additional costs for any medications or tests.

The nurse took her temperature – she had about a 102-degree fever – and ran some tests, and the doctor examined her, before sending her on her way with several prescriptions. I’m Bobby Pham, but you can call me “Bobby on Cruise.” I’ve been cruising the high seas and exploring the world for years, and I’m thrilled to share my passion and expertise with you. Out of nowhere, a fellow passenger, an older gentleman enjoying his time by the pool, suddenly slumped over. Everyone was soaking up the sun, some by the pool, others with a book in hand. If you, unfortunately, fall very ill and you can’t leave your stateroom, the doctor will be able to visit you.

Norovirus outbreaks have risen as people have returned to cruise ships after a pandemic hiatus; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 13 outbreaks on cruise ships this year. Some ships will administer minor treatment and/or medication for free -- if you become seasick, for example. However, the cost for most onboard medical treatment isn't cheap, and the charges will show up as part of your passenger account bill.

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The cruise line launched in Germany in the early 1960s and, since 2003, has been owned and operated by Carnival Corporation. Senior doctors on a cruise ship are considered “officers,” meaning they will need to attend any galas and other officer-related events unless they care for a patient who needs their help. However, prices onboard will be higher than those at your local pharmacy. But they’re pretty similar to what you would pay if you got off the ship and bought your medications at the port. In fact, some cruise lines have hired additional staff and established separate facilities to handle these tasks, as well as creating new medical requirements for the medical personnel.

This means while they’re equipped for a range of medical situations, they’re not designed for highly complex medical procedures. The staff’s expertise in quickly addressing these common issues is truly commendable, ensuring that passengers get the care they need to continue enjoying their journey. While the convenience is unmatched, it’s worth noting that the cost of medications on board can be higher than your home pharmacy, but generally comparable to prices you’d find if you purchased them in a port. This includes seasickness medications, which are readily available and can be a lifesaver for those who are unsure if they’ll be affected by motion sickness.

The nurse will then decide whether it requires urgent attention or give them an appointment to come within office hours. We try to get people with serious conditions to land safely and on time, but sometimes it's not possible. On board, there are consultation rooms, a reception area, a waiting room, an ER, an ICU room, ward rooms, X-ray machines, laboratory equipment, and a pharmacy. Five weeks after my interview in London, I got accepted in February 2010. Seven months later, at 32, I was on my way to Miami for a one-week training before joining one of the Celebrity Cruises for six months, departing from San Francisco.

Some lines add technology; for example, select Carnival ships have thrombolytic therapy (to break down blood clots) and pulse oximetry (to test oxygen levels). Robust travel insurance policies can be a financial lifesaver if an expensive emergency procedure, such as evacuation from the ship and a hospital stay in a foreign port, is necessary. Also consider that transportation to a full-service hospital from a remote cruise location like Greenland or Antarctica can be extremely costly. If you're injured or become ill, you might need to visit the cruise ship's medical facilities. While it generally will have regular hours, shown in the ship's daily program, staff are on call 24 hours for emergencies. They are trained in emergency care but also need to be qualified in family and internal medicine.

Additionally, I didn’t want to share close quarters with people who were sick with contagious illnesses, like the flu, RSV and Covid-19. Knowing that so many bugs were circulating this past winter, I was hesitant to visit the onboard doctors. Here’s my experience of using a medical facility on a cruise ship and what you can expect if you find yourself in a similar position. Major cruise lines follow health and sanitation standards to keep passengers safe on board, including regular cleaning throughout cabins, restaurants, snack areas, pools and elevators. Ships are also subject to at least two unannounced annual inspections in partnership with the CDC and three or more formal public health reviews, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.