Medical emergencies on a cruise

[Eph60]

I am sure you have heard of medical emergancies and probably read of a few on this and other cruise boards. The truth is they happen much more often then you may think. They range from deaths to injuries from falls. I have even seen up to four ambulance calls for pickup off the ship all in one day in one port.

In the case of deaths if the death is at sea most cruise lines will have someone stay with the survivors of the deceased so they are not left alone in their grief.Yes the ship does have a place to store those that have passed away.

I personally had to assist passengers that collapsed due to seizures or pass out from diabetic problems while heading to and from tours.

Age is not always a problem sometimes it is just not paying attention. I was escorting a group to a tour on the promenade deck one day when a lady not paying attention because she was so busy talking that she walked into the beam of a davit for a lifeboat and knocked herself out. The beam was brightly colored and easily seen and I even warned passengers of it as we passed but she was in her own little world. I know the next day it looked like she went 15 rounds with the heavy weight champ.

So maybe one point of this post is that you may want to make sure you have insurance especially medical insurance when you take a cruise. I hope you never have anyone pass away on a cruise but there are many chances for injuries and medical treatment. It does happen daily on a cruise.

[JohnG]

It is also surprising that too many people don't know that most US issued medical insurance policies do not cover medical expense incurred outside the US. Travel insurance does cover it, and much more, including the hotel and meal expenses of a traveling companion incurred if you are hospitalized during your trip.

[Jan115]

Another great reason to purchase travel insurance!

[WeCruiseToo]

We’re huge proponents of travel insurance. We’ve taken advantage of it ourselves a few times and we’ve got friends and family who’ve been reimbursed thousands of dollars. We’ll never travel without insurance!

[coloradocruisers]

It is also surprising that too many people don't know that most US issued medical insurance policies do not cover medical expense incurred outside the US. Travel insurance does cover it, and much more, including the hotel and meal expenses of a traveling companion incurred if you are hospitalized during your trip.

Thanks for that information John. I wasn't aware either. We have a Health Savings Account, which I hope would cover such expenses, but we always purchase Travel Insurance as well. Kind of like wearing a belt and suspenders.

[Shari2]

We have been tempted to see the doctor on cruises in the past, but never did...reasons, Montezumas in Mexico; respiratory flu on another cruise; and an allergic reaction on another...we managed to stay in our room and take care of ourselves, but just in case, we now always carry travel insurance. The biggest reasons we decided to get travel insurance are that we witnessed a passenger being carried off the ship on a helicopter who had a heart attack...(he did survive) but looking into the cost of all that, it would be very expensive. Also, our parents were getting older...now, we are getting older, and you never know what could happen.

[Jan115]

It's worth buying travel insurance for the med evac coverage alone. Depending on where you are in the world, a lift home can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in the event of serious illness or injury.

[Shari2]

So true, Jan!

[crazy4disney]

It's worth buying travel insurance for the med evac coverage alone. Depending on where you are in the world, a lift home can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in the event of serious illness or injury.

^^^

This! Plus, the evac coverage in travel insurance will pay to transfer you from whatever closest facility they initially take you to, to someplace more appropriate for your injury/illness.

But it's the smaller, more common little "everyday" incidents that might be considered a Saturday-ruiner back home, but can be a Very Big Deal indeed when you're at sea and near nothing. Take something like appendicitis, for instance -- practically as routine and uncomplicated as having a tooth pulled these days, but that is not the sort of thing that could be treated in a ship's medical center. And even the things that can be treated there -- we once saw a young girl slip on a wet deck and break her arm -- can end up costing a LOT.

One very helpful website is www.insuremytrip.com. You can compare different policies by different companies, and choose which one is just right for you, your needs, and your budget. The policy I usually get costs me around $80 for both my teenage son and I, for a week-long cruise. Small price for peace of mind!!

-gina-

[Jan115]

Very true, Gina!