What is medical care like on cruises?

[time4u2go]

I'm just curious what people's experiences are with the medical care on cruise ships. Was the care good? How much money was it? Any other comments?

 

I'm not planning on using it, but I was just wondering.

 

Thanks,

Steve

[time4u2go]

Has anybody ever used the ship's doctor???

[knothead]

My husband came down with (I'll probably spell this wrong but,) bronchitis. He was on antibotics but his breathing was getting worse, so a trip to the ship md was in order. He was treated very quickly and very professional. The doctor told him to keep taking his antibotics that they were very good, and prescribed him three breathing treatments. one right then ,one that afternoon & one the next morning. It cost around $250, charged to our seapass. We had travel insurance and had to submit bills to our health insurance first for them to accept or deny coverage. To our surprise they accepted and paid us back. I never had top use the travel insurance.

[crusinmama06]

Been there done that, don't want to do it again ;)

 

Very long story short, my baby had a seizure and stopped breathing, the doctors were WONDERFUL! They were very concerned. And spent ALOT of time with us while we were in the ship's hospital...guess they had no where else to go right.

 

On another trip, my other child had a cold/ear infection onboard. We went to the ship's doc, he gave us meds. Charged us about $100 for the visit. Probably another $50 for the meds (it was pediacare).

 

So yes it is expensive, but if you need it, even in an emergency, they are great.

 

Michele

[hdawson]

I had excellent care on Celebrity. Bronchitus. Two breathing treatments a day for 5 days (I think). The billing conforms to the US Social Security Medicare fee schedule.

[time4u2go]

Nice to know that they provide good care (not that I expected anything else)!

[Weez]

I know it is very expensive. Two people on my last cruise were complaining loudly at the cost. One of them slipped near the elevator (the floor was wet from a person coming in from the pool) the woman hurt her ankle. She complained that her bill was over $1,500.00. Another young girl went to the doctor because she was vomiting and was charged $250. I can say from watching them at the bar all day, I think they both contributed to their medical visits.

[larasmom]

i was on the majesty in december. the first night sitting at dinner i started feeling sick to my stomach. went to medical aid and they gave me a shot of something and some oral pills.

 

 

i still was not feeling well the next day.......so i went back. they gave me 2 ivs, meds because my blood pressure was up and antibiotics in my 2nd iv.

 

total cost for both visits $900

 

yes you read that correctly $900

 

i am still waiting on my health insurance company to see if any of it is covered. if not i will surely put in a claim with my travel insurance that i purchased with my cruise.

[hermang]

i was on the majesty in december. the first night sitting at dinner i started feeling sick to my stomach. went to medical aid and they gave me a shot of something and some oral pills.

 

 

i still was not feeling well the next day.......so i went back. they gave me 2 ivs, meds because my blood pressure was up and antibiotics in my 2nd iv.

 

total cost for both visits $900

 

yes you read that correctly $900

 

i am still waiting on my health insurance company to see if any of it is covered. if not i will surely put in a claim with my travel insurance that i purchased with my cruise.

Our friend boarded the Celebrity Summit with us this past summer. The same night he had a problem related to a very enlarged prostate and at the risk of being clinical - could not void. went to the infirmary 3 times - they gave him antibiotics and tried to catherize him. Partial success - When we got to Juneau - they recommended he go to Juneau Hospital where they had the right equipment to complete the procedure and return him for the balance of the cruise with a bag. Infirmary followed up daily. His bill was almost $1800 BUT cruise Ins paid it in full + Juneau Hospital. His wife is a Nurse and said the care was exceptional and very caring. MAKE SURE you have Cruise Insurance

[Leejnd4]

I was on the Monarch a few years ago when, at lunch, I started seeing those weird flashing lights indicating I was getting a full-blown migraine. I hadn't had one in years, and I haven't had all that many over my lifetime, but in the past when I'd get one it was a total nightmare -- excruciating pain like my head was in a vise, vomiting, cramps, terrors for up to two full days. I was petrified, as my memory of migraines was of these horrific long painful experiences that nothing would alleviate.

 

I rushed down to the medical facility, and they immediately took action, starting with oral meds, moving on to injections, honestly I don't even KNOW what all they gave me but I felt they treated it far more aggressively than a US-based doctor would have. They did it progressively -- if something didn't work after a reasonable amount of time, they'd try the next thing, until something basically knocked it out of me! I slept down there for about 4 hours, then woke up and -- WOW! It was GONE! I couldn't believe it. I was so grateful. I've never had a migraine that lasted less than a full 24 hours of severe pain and impairment, no matter what the doctors did.

 

I do recall that it was very expensive, but we immediately submitted a claim to our medical insurance and were reimbursed within a month.

 

I wanted to mention also that they were wonderful to me there. I was clearly terrified, probably beyond reason but that's because my memories of the few migraines I've had in the past are just so horrible that I was literally quaking in my shoes, close to hysteria. They sat with me, comforted me, assured me that since I had my last one new treatments have emerged, and made sure I was completely back to normal before they released me to my husband.

 

The best part of this is that I no longer have such an irrational fear of migraines. I haven't had one since, but I feel better knowing that there ARE treatments that can work.

 

So, that was MY experience with RCI's shipboard medical care. I hope to never have to use them again -- but if I do, my previous experience leaves me with a feeling of confidence in them. :)

 

LeeAnne

[mkg]

I went on a cruise with my mom October 04' she was 84 at the time and has a history of problems so we brought her recent medical records. She decided to try the patch, UGH what a nightmare, she got so ill that she didn't know where she was, couldn't walk everything, I got her down to the doctors and they were wonderful, they were glad i had her records but still had to run tests to rule things out, but they were pretty sure it was the patch, she got down there early in the morning and was out by the next early afternoon, what a quick recovery, the nurse and doctor was fantastic, the bill came to over $2,000 and luckily the travel insurance reimbursed us. Her medicare would not cover it.

[dexter]

I'm just curious what people's experiences are with the medical care on cruise ships. Was the care good? How much money was it? Any other comments?

 

I'm not planning on using it, but I was just wondering.

 

Thanks,

Steve

It is very expensive. Last year I had a gout attack while I was on the Mariner. I want to the doctor and got one shot and was charged $350. That ruined the whole cruise for me.

[prairie_fox]

Some people from our table had to use the ship doc. He had galstones of all things. I know the first night there was something along the line of $900 for the pills, an IV, a shot for pain and laying there for about 4 hours. He did end up going back three more times on our 10 day trip for more pills and shots. I know at the end they said it was close to $1500.00 for it. They did have the insurance taken out and also told us that the last time they had to use it(another cruise they had done) that the insurance reimbursed in full. They talked of how well they had been cared for and how nice they were always checking up on him all the time we were on the trip.

With that happening so close to us on that trip we are making sure to have insurance on all our trips now "just" in case.

[Weez]

It is very expensive. Last year I had a gout attack while I was on the Mariner. I want to the doctor and got one shot and was charged $350. That ruined the whole cruise for me.

 

Just curious, what was they shot they gave you? I've had the gout before and boy it was not fun. I went to the emergency room and they basically told me all they could do was give me pain medication and an anti-inflammatory.

[hdawson]

These fees sound alot less than the emergency room at home.

[wrp96]

When I fell at Dunn's River Falls and gashed open my face, I went to the infirmary. The first doctor was not a surgeon and did not want to do the stitches since it was on my face. He cleaned the cut for me and then had me come back when the surgeon was on duty (it wasn't an emergency and I was happy to put off having a needle come anywhere near me). When I saw the surgeon an hour later, the gash had finally started to close up (6 hours after the injury) and he decided the stitches weren't needed, for which I was very thankful. The total cost was $170 which went on my seapass bill. They gave me a form to file with my health insurance for reimbursement, which I did and found out they don't cover medical care outside the country. I don't travel without Travel Insurance as a result. Overall, they took great care of me, and acknowledged my fears, which I was grateful for. It was bad enough being hurt on a cruise, I didn't want to make it worse by having to have stitches. The tetanus shot I had to get was bad enough.

 

The only complaint I had was when I first went into the infirmary the nurse's automatic response when I said I needed to see the doctor was to tell me that it would cost a lot to see the doctor and could I treat it myself with the stuff they had in the dispenser outside. But she couldn't see the gash since I was holding tissues and ice to it, so I guess I can understand.

[jane02]

Thankfully I have never had to use the medical services on the ship. My husband and I are both in the medical field here in Melbourne and to be seen in the private sector here is very expensive if you are not insured. As a medical specialist, my husband has enormous medical litigation insurance that we have to pass onto our patients as part of their fees. I am sure that being a doctor on a ship is no different - they (or RCCL) would also have to pay an enormous fee for insurance to cover a wide variety of potential problems from a variety of age groups - especially elderly people with their many medical problems.

I always take out top travel insurance wherever I travel - that way I can always be assured of good medical care if I need it. There are many cheap travel insurance policies available that covers things like lost luggage - who cares, that can be replaced. I'd rather cover my health than a suitcase.

Jane;)

[Cats' slave]

My husband had severe stomach pain and went to the doctor on the ship. There were a lot of sick people that day and he had quite a wait, but he was pleased with the care. They treated him for less than we would have been charged at home.

 

Another time he messed up his back and wanted chiropractic care, which the ship couldn't provide. They arranged an appointment at the next port. A car met him at the pier and took him to the chiropractor. We would have had no way to evaluate or choose a chiropractor, so it was a relief that RCCL had contacts. The total bill was quite reasonable, and if I remember correctly, the transportation was free.

[dexter]

Just curious, what was they shot they gave you? I've had the gout before and boy it was not fun. I went to the emergency room and they basically told me all they could do was give me pain medication and an anti-inflammatory.

Some sort of anti-inflammatory med. It worked. The next morning I felt much better.

[saw777]

I was on Sovereign of the Seas back in Feb 05, just 2 months after it had its refit. I was in the hospital from 3pm till midnight. Total cost was £900 ($1500), this was for drips to make sure there was enough fluid in my body, medicine and to stop me from being sick. My travel insurance company repaid me in full on my return to the UK.

The doctors and nurses on board were first class ( all from South Africa) however i would comment on the fact that the hospital ward was not clean at all as you could fine dust everywhere, and the toilets were dirty too. We did report this on the comment card at the end of the cruise.:)

[SUZCRUZ]

I was recently on the Grandeur, and heard a most disturbing story of a man whose wife was suffering from the benz after scuba diving. He took her to the ships doctor. Apparently, he knew little about the condition, considering he advised that they should fly home when they got off the ship in Miami. Instead of flying home, they went to a hospital in Miami. She was given hyperbaric chamber treatments and was hospitalized for a week. Had they flown home as advised by the ships doctor, she might have died.

Not knowing much about this condition, but after reading this topic and hearing this story, I wanted to share it with all of you.

When this couple got home, they contacted RCCL. to share their experience, not to recieve any compensation, but to educate their company of what happened, and possibly educate their doctors, for future divers.

[Croozin Soozin]

My husband had a heart attack 48 hours before the end of our cruise on the Serenade. We were in our cabin so I called 911 and a nurse came up with equipment, including oxygen and a wheelchair. The medical facility was great - doctors and nurses. He spent the 48 hours there being monitored after the initial tests and medication to stabilize him. The cost was $5405, charged to our Seapass. At the end of the cruise, the ship was met by an ambulance and we were whisked away to a San Diego hospital where he had two procedures to install 6 stents. It was over a week before he was well enough to fly back home. The travel insurance made our reservations to fly, paid for his ticket, I had to pay for mine, but mine was reimbursed. We were also reimbursed for two days of the cruise which we missed, my lodging costs and the $5405 that the medical facility charged. Basically it didn't cost us anything - financially!!!

 

I thought the doctors and nurses in the medical facility were very professional, caring people. They are not specialists though and to help diagnose my husband they used a consultation with a hospital in Cleveland, I believe. I was very impressed that they were able to do that from the middle of the Pacific Ocean!!! I hope it's never necessary for us to use the medical facility again, but I would be very confident in the care we would receive.

[Barbee524]

I have never used the medical facilities. However, I found out on my last cruise that the Medical Staff can override the elevator system. I was returning to my cabin, had arrived on the 7th deck, when a light on the panel by the floor buttons started flashing and the elevator and I went immediately back down to the infirmary. There was a gentelman being returned to his cabin by medical personnel in a wheel chair. The point of this post being that it's good to know that if it had been an emergency the medical staff doesn't have to wait for an elevator to show up.

[Mar y Sol]

Just got back from an AOS cruise and must say the medical staff and doctors treated us royally. My DH and I have taken a cruise a year for the past 10 years and always bring my 84 year old mom and her 82 year old best friend. We always purchase trip/medical insurance 'just in case' something happens and this time it did! My mom's 82 year old friend suddenly took ill (finally diagnosed with dehydration and anemia) and spent the night in ICU in the ship's hospital. We were allowed to stay with her for long periods of time and when we finally went to our cabins, were informed of her progress or lack thereof. Unfortunately, this lady remains in a hospital in Puerto Rico but is doing much, much better due to the quick response of the AOS team. Moral of the story...BUY TRIP INSURANCE. The price tag on the overnight alone was $1200+. We believe we will get it back.

[Boo Boo]

Some sort of anti-inflammatory med. It worked. The next morning I felt much better.

 

What ruined the cruise for you? The attack itself? Sounds as though the treatment was pretty good...

 

Boo