A Suspected Blood Clot Landed Me in a Cruise Ship Medical Center

Small- and midsize ships are also fully equipped

“Our ships are equipped with the most modern medical equipment available in the medical market,” says emergency physician Ibrain Soto, M.D., the doctor on board Crystal Serenity, a ship that holds just 740 passengers. The ship follows the recommendations of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) regarding the minimum amount of medical equipment to carry on board cruise ships. This includes an onboard laboratory, X-ray machine, cardiac monitor and defibrillator, an EKG, ventilator/respirator, infusion pumps and an onboard pharmacy.

Soto says the ship’s medical team includes one doctor and two nurses, who are required to have intensive care and emergency medicine training, plus more than five years of experience in the field. “We are able to diagnose and treat all medical and trauma emergencies and provide initial stabilization on board,” he says. “Our medical team is also trained to manage chronic medical conditions for our crew and passengers of any age group. Ninety percent of our guests are over 50, so we are very familiar with the management of medical conditions of patients in advanced age groups.”

Ships even smaller than Serenity — like Scenic, a cruise line with a fleet of ships that carry fewer than 230 passengers — also have robust capabilities. In fact, according to Liz Baugh, Scenic’s lead medical consultant, who served as a medic in the Royal Navy, this line has an X-ray machine, blood analyzers, ECG and a range of diagnostic tests, alongside a fully equipped emergency cart with a manual defibrillator and a military-grade portable ventilator. And the cruise line has even gone so far as to scrutinize data from the last four years to build a robust pharmaceutical list to remain as self-reliant as possible.

“We risk-assess everything based on the worst-case scenario and work our way back from there to make sure that we have covered the risks within our control and have a plan for things that may come up unexpectedly,” says Baugh. This quest for self-reliance is especially crucial given Scenic’s prevalence in some of the most challenging maritime environments: ships that sail in polar regions, where there is a lack of resources.

What can’t cruise ships handle?

While cruise ship capabilities are seemingly endless, there are some medical conditions beyond their purview. This includes more serious dental issues, though doctors can do some basic (temporary) dental repairs. “Other areas that are beyond the ship’s capabilities would be complex cardiac or abdominal issues requiring specialist investigations,” Baugh says.

She explains that Scenic also has 24/7 access to a clinical second opinion service. Depending on the outcome of that discussion, Baugh says the doctor will then assess the urgency of the condition and make a plan. Based on the degree of the emergency, Soto’s team would consult with a shoreside medical consultant. The passenger could be sent ashore in the next port of call for further examination or medically evacuated directly from the ship, either by ground or air ambulance. A heart attack or stroke would need “urgent medical evacuation,” Soto says.

How much does onboard medical care cost?

I had to do a double-take when I received my own bill — it was 166.15 euros (about $180) for my visit, both tests and the pain relievers they prescribed. If this had gone through my insurance in the United States, it would have cost quite a bit more.

The medical facilities don’t use insurance. However, detailed paperwork will be provided should you want to initiate a claim with your insurance company. The cost of medical care is added to the overall cruise bill and paid at the end of the cruise.

Both Baugh and Soto explained that the costs are kept as low as possible to avoid deterring people from seeking medical care when it’s needed. Also, the medical department isn’t used as a revenue driver, Soto says. And if the bill grows because of longer or more advanced care, “we will always provide our guests with a proper internationally coded medical bill and a letter for them to be able to [file a] claim from their insurance once they return home,” Soto says.

Tips for avoiding an onboard medical visit

Hoping to avoid the medical center altogether? Baugh advises knowing your limitations and remembering that you are on a moving platform, which can affect balance. “On holiday, normal routines can be somewhat changed, so think carefully about your medical needs and make a plan for factoring in the effect that a change in routine may have on any medication that they normally take,” she says.

And always bring extra prescription medication, since, as Soto says, guests often forget to bring their medicine or run out during the cruise. In these cases, he says the medical team will provide the medication through its onboard pharmacy for the duration of the cruise. And if the medication isn’t available on board, the doctor will write a prescription and the cruise line’s port agent will purchase it locally.