Onboard medical facility

[Trixie21]

I wondered what type of treatments the medical facilities onboard are capable of dispensing ?

Specifically if someone is dehydrated can they put up a drip and give fluids ?

If this was necessary would they be likely to offload the passenger at the next port or would they be happy to continue treatment until the patients levels were back to normal as long as nothing else was deemed necessary?

I do have a specific reason for asking- not just a random query lol!

[brillohead]

They can absolutely start an IV and run fluids.  They can also do a variety of labwork.  

Whether you get put off the ship for hospital care on land or not would depend on the severity of the illness and level of recovery.  If you're back "up and running" then there's no reason to put you off the ship.  Same if you don't need a higher level of care than they can provide (as long as you are willing to pay their prices on the ship). 

If you're continuing to deteriorate even with treatment, they would put you off at the next available port that could provide the necessary level of care. 

[chengkp75]

When I worked in the engine rooms of cruise ships, I dehydrated myself badly, and presented myself to the medical center.  Not only did they put me on IV fluids, they did the "squeeze the bag" to get me started rapidly.  Two bags later, I was good to go, except for a kidney stone that resulted, but that is another story, but also dealt with onboard.

[Junkhouse]

Just make sure they are open for non-emergency treatments. I had a minor scratch that was bleeding.  All I needed was a band aide, but they were closed and when I tried to dial the non-emergency number on the phone in the waiting room the phone number was disconnected.

[rebeccac]

Always a good idea to bring your own supply of bandages and OTC medicines.  Much easier (and cheaper) that way.  

[Trixie21]

Thanks for the replies .

Thats actually very reassuring to know they can sort out fluids etc if needed. 

[sdrocks]

I broke my arm on a cruise in 2016.  They gave me conscious sedation to set the fracture and casted it.

they kept an eye on me and I went back several times for rechecks.  They have a crash cart available and

an xray machine that is adequate, but not state of the art of course.  Had surgery when we got home.

This past June was on Symphony and developed shingles on my face.  The fortunate part was I did not

have pain and it did not affect my eyes.  Again received antibiotics  and shingles medication and was

rechecked a couple times, even a very thorough exam of my eyes with ultraviolet light.  Was followed

up by my personal physician at home and doing well, except for scarring which I hope resolves over

time.  As a retired RN, I thought the care was very good.

[joeyancho]

8 hours ago, rebeccac said:

Always a good idea to bring your own supply of bandages and OTC medicines.  Much easier (and cheaper) that way.  

We have a whole bag of OTC meds that we take on every cruise.  Such as cough meds, allergy meds, pain meds, anti-diarrhea meds, meclizine, mole skin, all types of band aids, cortisone cream, antacids, neosporin, etc.  Additionally we bring an extra week of our prescription medicine.  It may seem a bit extreme to take all of this on vacation but there have been times when the need arose and we were glad to have them.  Also we have helped other passengers who needed it.

[BirdTravels]

11 hours ago, Trixie21 said:

I wondered what type of treatments the medical facilities onboard are capable of dispensing ?

Specifically if someone is dehydrated can they put up a drip and give fluids ?

If this was necessary would they be likely to offload the passenger at the next port or would they be happy to continue treatment until the patients levels were back to normal as long as nothing else was deemed necessary?

I do have a specific reason for asking- not just a random query lol!

The ship is prepared to offer you testing and medical treatments. If it is an acute, life threatening condition, they will stabilize you and work with shoreside doctors to determine the best course of treatment. Been to the medical center on several occasions, all very professional and we were very happy with the care we received. 

 

 

 

[shippmates]

They were able to give my husband several units of blood on the Explorer several years ago when he had internal bleeding from an ulcer.  The care was good and he was airlifted off the ship to a hospital for surgery.

 

[Ret MP]

I have no first hand knowledge of the level of care in the ship's medical facilities.  However, I have seen a price list for items like the motion sickness patch(s) and it ain't cheap.  As stated, bring your own stuff.  And drink lots of fluids, often.  Maybe even some non-alcoholic beverages.

[cello56]

I got to see the ship medical on Jewel of the Seas back in March. I had a sudden and first time episode of AFib, and the care I received was excellent. Two doctors and two nurses treated me and gave thorough and compassionate care. The doctor decided to have the captain turn the ship around - by the time this was decided we had left port about 30 minutes prior - because it was my first time having this issue. He had been in contact with medical specialists shore side and they came to this decision as a group. Here is a warning though - my 75 minutes in what they billed as ICU cost over $2200 and payment was expected before I left the ship to be transported to the hospital in San Juan. So make sure that you have adequate out of country health care coverage to cover such a large and unexpected expense. Ironically the hospital in San Juan was in network with our regular commercial healthcare and cost us nothing. 

Edited July 23, 2022 by cello56

[reallyitsmema]

18 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

I have no first hand knowledge of the level of care in the ship's medical facilities.  However, I have seen a price list for items like the motion sickness patch(s) and it ain't cheap.  As stated, bring your own stuff.  And drink lots of fluids, often.  Maybe even some non-alcoholic beverages.

 

Prescription medications onboard are billed at the Medicare rate.  OTC medications are very expensive on the ship and they have very limited medications.  For some reason, they like Dayquil and charge over $20 per bottle.  Bring your own OTC medications as they will run out on the ship as they did when we were on Anthem with an influenza outbreak.

[twangster]

Can they and can you afford it are different questions.  They don't typically accept US insurance but you can pay and submit for reimbursement if your health coverage works out of the country.  

[Ret MP]

17 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

Prescription medications onboard are billed at the Medicare rate.  OTC medications are very expensive on the ship and they have very limited medications.  For some reason, they like Dayquil and charge over $20 per bottle.  Bring your own OTC medications as they will run out on the ship as they did when we were on Anthem with an influenza outbreak.

As mentioned, the motion sickness patches were very expensive.  I don't remember exactly how much now because it was a long time ago but I know it was well over $50.00 (makes me wonder how much now) to see the doctor (which they charge you for before just issuing you the patches because the patches are a prescription) and then get two or three patches.  I just got, a few months ago, a prescription from MY doctor, which Medicare paid for the visit along with my Supplement the visit cost me $00.00.  The prescription at my local pharmacy came to $12.00, my Copay, and that was for about dozen patches.  AND I didn't have to submit any claim after I got home or worry about paying the Cruise Line before getting off the ship.

 

So, if I wanted to get a patch or two while on the ship, it would have cost me $50.00 or more.  Here, on land, at home, it cost me $12.00.  Big difference both in cost and convenience.

[shellunderwater]

I think the biggest issue us everyone should assure they have medical coverage outside the US in their "normal" health insurance.  If not, make sure you purchase appropriate coverage.  One way is thru trip insurance.  Also, consider medical evacuation coverage.  I would prefer my health-care in Miami or Houston when on a Caribbean cruise.

[reallyitsmema]

3 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

As mentioned, the motion sickness patches were very expensive.  I don't remember exactly how much now because it was a long time ago but I know it was well over $50.00 (makes me wonder how much now) to see the doctor (which they charge you for before just issuing you the patches because the patches are a prescription) and then get two or three patches.  I just got, a few months ago, a prescription from MY doctor, which Medicare paid for the visit along with my Supplement the visit cost me $00.00.  The prescription at my local pharmacy came to $12.00, my Copay, and that was for about dozen patches.  AND I didn't have to submit any claim after I got home or worry about paying the Cruise Line before getting off the ship.

 

So, if I wanted to get a patch or two while on the ship, it would have cost me $50.00 or more.  Here, on land, at home, it cost me $12.00.  Big difference both in cost and convenience.

 

Of course it is cheaper to see your doctor at home and get patches at home because you can use your insurance.  The ship charges around $145 to see the doctor on the ship, cheaper if you just see the nurse.  You have to agree to the charges before you see the doctor.  If you go to medical due to covid, noro or influenza, in our experience, they will treat you for free as they do not want you infecting the ship.  I have been able to submit ship board expenses, when we were charged, to my insurance once I got home and have had them covered as out of network charges.

[Ret MP]

3 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

Of course it is cheaper to see your doctor at home and get patches at home because you can use your insurance.  The ship charges around $145 to see the doctor on the ship, cheaper if you just see the nurse.  You have to agree to the charges before you see the doctor.  If you go to medical due to covid, noro or influenza, in our experience, they will treat you for free as they do not want you infecting the ship.  I have been able to submit ship board expenses, when we were charged, to my insurance once I got home and have had them covered as out of network charges.

Okaaaaaay.  Did I say/type anything that you disagree with or is incorrect?  I just don't understand the point of your post.  

[reallyitsmema]

2 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

Okaaaaaay.  Did I say/type anything that you disagree with or is incorrect?  I just don't understand the point of your post.  

 

The point of posting is to provide information.

[Ret MP]

1 minute ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

The point of posting is to provide information.

The point was "why quote me" for that?  But, I understand, it's kewl.  We're good.

[ReneeFLL]

34 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

As mentioned, the motion sickness patches were very expensive.  I don't remember exactly how much now because it was a long time ago but I know it was well over $50.00 (makes me wonder how much now) to see the doctor (which they charge you for before just issuing you the patches because the patches are a prescription) and then get two or three patches.  I just got, a few months ago, a prescription from MY doctor, which Medicare paid for the visit along with my Supplement the visit cost me $00.00.  The prescription at my local pharmacy came to $12.00, my Copay, and that was for about dozen patches.  AND I didn't have to submit any claim after I got home or worry about paying the Cruise Line before getting off the ship.

 

So, if I wanted to get a patch or two while on the ship, it would have cost me $50.00 or more.  Here, on land, at home, it cost me $12.00.  Big difference both in cost and convenience.

Have you tried the pills? For my first cruise I got the patches from my dr because I was concerned about seasickness. I have had it before when it was very hot and very rough. Granted this was on a small boat (37’) but I was still worried. The patch didn’t work out well for me because it made me so thirsty. It was like I couldn’t drink enough. Finally took it off after 2 days and didn’t have any problems. Haven’t had any issues on our cruises since but figured I would get one of the pills they have at GS. Glad the patch has worked for you. 
Does anyone know if guest services still hands out the pills for free? Over the years we have bought several boxes, but they have expired and I never needed them.

[mom2miracles]

If you have a known reason for specifically needing a bolus of IV fluids, likely due to a medical condition, I suggest you get that sorted out with your physicians before you even board the ship. As someone who has some medical issues (including running IV fluids and medications at home, on a pump, on a daily basis), I bring aboard everything I need AND more *just in case*. I wouldn't rely on the cruise ship medical facility to fill in the blanks for a known condition and treatment you would normally get at home. I'm not saying that to be harsh, but you need to be prepared before you go - especially for known medical issues. The medical facility, to me anyways, would be for more acute issues that you are unprepared for. Also, for something that may be a simple fix to you, may mean something different to the staff in the medical facility where they may not be comfortable with you being on the ship. Which would lead to an unexpected stop and you being taken off the ship to a local medical facility. 

Edited July 24, 2022 by mom2miracles

[Sunshine3601]

7 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

Have you tried the pills? For my first cruise I got the patches from my dr because I was concerned about seasickness. I have had it before when it was very hot and very rough. Granted this was on a small boat (37’) but I was still worried. The patch didn’t work out well for me because it made me so thirsty. It was like I couldn’t drink enough. Finally took it off after 2 days and didn’t have any problems. Haven’t had any issues on our cruises since but figured I would get one of the pills they have at GS. Glad the patch has worked for you. 
Does anyone know if guest services still hands out the pills for free? Over the years we have bought several boxes, but they have expired and I never needed them.

I have seen the pills for free right outside the medical center on Anthem.  

[reallyitsmema]

16 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

Have you tried the pills? For my first cruise I got the patches from my dr because I was concerned about seasickness. I have had it before when it was very hot and very rough. Granted this was on a small boat (37’) but I was still worried. The patch didn’t work out well for me because it made me so thirsty. It was like I couldn’t drink enough. Finally took it off after 2 days and didn’t have any problems. Haven’t had any issues on our cruises since but figured I would get one of the pills they have at GS. Glad the patch has worked for you. 
Does anyone know if guest services still hands out the pills for free? Over the years we have bought several boxes, but they have expired and I never needed them.

 

Yes, guest services still gives them out for free and the medical center has them too but they did not have them in the waiting room to grab like they used to precovid when we were on Quantum.  Much fewer side effects than the patch.

[Jasukkie]

I would just add that Covid has thrown a real wrench in healthcare services onboard and what might be true on one sailing may not be true on another. They simply may not have enough staff coverage to want to keep you onboard if they are worried you may relapse or have complications. There are zero guarantees other than they will do their best to stabilize you.