Visiting ship doctor / cost?

[Look2Sea]

Have you visited the ship doctor? Cost?

Do they tell you the cost ahead of time?

 

Have you gone to the ship doctor for relatively minor things?

 

If you were sea sick, would you visit the ship doctor?

Would it be an expensive fee?

[emen822]

Have you visited the ship doctor? Cost?

Do they tell you the cost ahead of time?

 

Have you gone to the ship doctor for relatively minor things?

 

If you were sea sick, would you visit the ship doctor?

Would it be an expensive fee?

 

Unfortunately, I've gone twice (once for me, once for my daughter). Fortunately, I had trip insurance so it was reimbursed when I got home. :D

 

I went for a reaction to something I ate. Dr gave me some pills and cream (which worked like a charm) and the bill was over $200. My daughter went for sunburn. She was given some cream concoction (which again worked like a charm) and her bill was about $190.

 

When we went to the dr, they told us the fee to see the doctor and then the prescriptions would be extra.

 

For seasickness, I believe you can get pills for free at guest services. I also saw a bowl of them at the medical facility.

 

Hope this helps.

[ribarfly]

We recently sailed a 13-day transatlantic sailing on the Independence of the Seas 4/12/09 on the 11th day of the sailing I came down with an attack of diverticulitus, I had the first attack back in February and my doctor gave the ok to go on the cruise, it’s sever lower abdominal pain and it is very very painful. We had just left Madeira Portugal and our next port was Vigo Spain, I was very hesitant on going to see the ships doctor because I was worried about being put in the hospital in foreign country. Well I was so sick I had no choice but to go, the Independence medical staff was fantastic they treated me with IV antibiotic fluids for three days, they left an IV port in my arm and gave me times to come back for the treatments. I was not confined but since I couldn’t eat or drink I might as well have been. There were no unnecessary treatments or charges just to make a couple of bucks, my DW is an RN working in Endosocpy department at a local hospital and she knows what had to be done and they did it. We were thinking of canceling the rest of our trip and going home but thanks to the medical staff on the Independence we managed to see London, which was the whole point of this sailing. The medical charges of $1,800.00 went on our sea pass and I always purchase RCL travel insurance, when we got home I called RCL and they said that all they need was denial of payment from our private health care provider and they would take care of it, come to find out our Blue Cross covers us internationally so it is being taken care of. When we got home I brought copies of the medical treatment I was given to my doctor and he was very impressed on what they did. I for one have the highest respect for the RCL medical staff onboard the Independence and would not hesitate in the future if I needed them. I am going for surgery on July 15th to have the problem fixed once & for all, so I will be all set when sail on the Oasis in December.

They post all the related cost on the wall in the Medical office, I would just say it depends how sick you are. If you are sick get there early the hours were 9:00 am to 11:00 am & 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm first come first serve and the place was packed with sick passangers the three days I went there. They do have sea sick pills available for free in the office.

[Marie51]

On Mariner my grandson went to the ship doctor, bill was $150 charged to the onboard account and we filed a claim when we got home with the travel insurance and were reimbursed the entire amount.

[luvscruising2007]

DH fell on an excursion in Colombia. After a few hours the pain in his elbow worsened so we went to the Medical facility. They took x-rays and when they didn't show anything she took more x-rays. It turned out he had fractured his elbow. She put it in a sling and gave him pain killers. Fortunately it was during our last port day so he was able to just relax. Everything turned out find.

The personnel were very professional. We were reimbursed by our insurance when we returned home. I believe the fee was around $200.

[mjldvlks]

We recently sailed a 13-day transatlantic sailing on the Independence of the Seas 4/12/09 on the 11th day of the sailing I came down with an attack of diverticulitus, I had the first attack back in February and my doctor gave the ok to go on the cruise, it’s sever lower abdominal pain and it is very very painful. We had just left Madeira Portugal and our next port was Vigo Spain, I was very hesitant on going to see the ships doctor because I was worried about being put in the hospital in foreign country. Well I was so sick I had no choice but to go, the Independence medical staff was fantastic they treated me with IV antibiotic fluids for three days, they left an IV port in my arm and gave me times to come back for the treatments. I was not confined but since I couldn’t eat or drink I might as well have been. There were no unnecessary treatments or charges just to make a couple of bucks, my DW is an RN working in Endosocpy department at a local hospital and she knows what had to be done and they did it. We were thinking of canceling the rest of our trip and going home but thanks to the medical staff on the Independence we managed to see London, which was the whole point of this sailing. The medical charges of $1,800.00 went on our sea pass and I always purchase RCL travel insurance, when we got home I called RCL and they said that all they need was denial of payment from our private health care provider and they would take care of it, come to find out our Blue Cross covers us internationally so it is being taken care of. When we got home I brought copies of the medical treatment I was given to my doctor and he was very impressed on what they did. I for one have the highest respect for the RCL medical staff onboard the Independence and would not hesitate in the future if I needed them. I am going for surgery on July 15th to have the problem fixed once & for all, so I will be all set when sail on the Oasis in December.

They post all the related cost on the wall in the Medical office, I would just say it depends how sick you are. If you are sick get there early the hours were 9:00 am to 11:00 am & 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm first come first serve and the place was packed with sick passangers the three days I went there. They do have sea sick pills available for free in the office.

Ron,

 

Good to see you posting -- been a little worried about you after not having heard from you in a while. Glad to see you are going to get this taken care of. We will be thinking about you. Hope to see you on another cruise in the not too distant future.

 

Dennis

[Gracie115]

when we got home I called RCL and they said that all they need was denial of payment from our private health care provider and they would take care of it, come to find out our Blue Cross covers us internationally so it is being taken care of.

 

 

In case Blue Cross doesn't pick up the whole bill or you have a copay...RCCL's insurance will pay the difference. I know this because I broke my arm onboard and what my Blue Cross didn't pay the cruise insurance did and it was through RCCL. Good luck with your surgery!

[read52]

My daughter got seasick on her first cruise (April, 2009). She went twice to the medical unit and got two shots and some pills. It was $225 total. She had to pay upfront but then her health insurance paid it. She also had the travel insurance which would have picked up anything that was not paid. She felt great since she also won at the casino.

[twoputt.plusone]

Last fall I got really seasick, the first time in eight cruises. It was bad enough that I had to go to the infirmary. That in it's self was a good trick. When I got there, it was outside of the ship doctor's normal office hours, so she was called in at an extra cost. She gave me two shots and prescription meds. The cost was US$197 - fully covered by my medical insurance. All fees were given to me prior to services rendered but honestly, I was so sick I wouldn't have cared if it had been $500.

 

2P.P1

[Gracie115]

I was actually amazed at the cost...for broken arm, 3 x-rays, cast, sling and pain killers was $300. Here it would have been more like $3000.....

[abhb]

On my X-mas trip on the Jewel, I woke up the first morning thinking I was having an allergy attack. By the 4th day, the left side of my face and neck were swollen. I went to the ship's medical facility. They did tell me in advance that there was a charge that would go directly on my SeaPass.

 

They took blood work and everything was normal except one thing showed an infection. The Dr. didn't really know what was going on. He thought that the infection was in my salivary gland since I really didn't feel sick. Either that or an allergic reaction. Since I had never had anything like this before, I just wanted it to be gone. He decided to do an IV of antibiotics to get it into my system quickly. The swelling started to subside a little that night.

 

He told me to come back the next night for a second IV. The swelling went down. The only problem is they left a shunt in my arm so they didn't have to poke me. They did wrap it in bandages.

 

The bill came to $980 for the two treatments and visits. My regular health insurance paid all but $115. My travel insurance paid the difference.

 

When I got home and told my regular Dr., he agreed that it was probably a salivary gland infection.

[Sixtynifty]

After being diagnosed with breast cancer I was thinking about not going on my trip to the Med. on the Brillance. My oncologist told me that RCL has the best medical staff of any cruise line and not to worry! So I am ready for my July 9th cruise.

[aqhacruiser]

Have you visited the ship doctor? Cost?

Do they tell you the cost ahead of time?

 

Have you gone to the ship doctor for relatively minor things?

 

If you were sea sick, would you visit the ship doctor?

Would it be an expensive fee?

 

They can tell you the cost ahead of time for some things but it depends on how ill you are and what they need to do. As others have mentioned I strongly suggest cruise/trip insurance that does cover medical expenses. There are many different Blue Cross plans as well as other health insurance plans and some do not cover expenses out of the country. Worse case scenario if you ever became very ill or seriously injured and needed a medivac off the ship the costs can be as high as 25,000.00 so cruise/trip insurance is basically "priceless" to be sure you'd never have to pay that expense and people have had to pay it out of pocket as they made the mistake of not getting insurance. For minor ailments most people carry basic things in their luggage such as seasickness meds, pepto, bandaids, tylenol, etc. That saves a medical bill for something simple and although most ships carry some of these items in the store onboard, quantity and choices are very limited so bring your own things. You may also want to have a couple high limit credit cards with you as medical expenses are paid up front on the ship and then you can submit to insurance carriers for reimbursement and always remember to get all paperwork from the ships doctor as you'll need it for insurance company. Call your present health provider and ask them are you covered for medical expenses out of the country and ask them if you are covered for a medivac off the ship, what if any limitations may exist and also have them put it in writing and send it to you. Some insurance will cover you out of the country but will not cover the costs of a medivac off a ship or ground transportation out of the country although they will cover a medivac( life flight)/ground transportation on land in the country so be specific when asking your provider.

[aqhacruiser]

After being diagnosed with breast cancer I was thinking about not going on my trip to the Med. on the Brillance. My oncologist told me that RCL has the best medical staff of any cruise line and not to worry! So I am ready for my July 9th cruise.

 

I hope you enjoy every second of the Med. and that you have a wonderful time on your cruise! :)

 

Ron, That had to be very painful but I'm glad you were able to enjoy London and some of your cruise. Best of luck with your surgery:)

[Langley Cruisers]

After being diagnosed with breast cancer I was thinking about not going on my trip to the Med. on the Brillance. My oncologist told me that RCL has the best medical staff of any cruise line and not to worry! So I am ready for my July 9th cruise.

 

May God bless you, my dear! Have a wonderful time on your cruise. :)

[ScotFi]

Have you visited the ship doctor? Cost?

Do they tell you the cost ahead of time?

 

Have you gone to the ship doctor for relatively minor things?

 

If you were sea sick, would you visit the ship doctor?

Would it be an expensive fee?

 

 

Hi

 

Husband had a poisoned toe on Enchantment cost 220 USD refunded on return to UK. Was well worth the cost to see my husbands response as he is fearful of anything medical. He did drink a few cocktails that day prior to having it lanced and prescribed anti-biotics.

 

Scotfi

[chriskwarren]

This is a great thread for us Canadian cruisers. I am not accustomed to thinking of the cost of care. We have purchased travel medical insurance, but will budget for some costs to cover us until the insurance pays us back. Thanks!

[Panda3]

My husband and I were at the bar when the person on the stool next to him started feeling woozy. He was very dehydrated and almost fell out of the chair. The bar tender called the ships doctor and we didn't see that couple until two days later. They said they got a bill for $1500.00 and it was charged to their sea pass. They also got billed $200.00 for a phone call check up and they said the only phone call they got was from room service to make sure the food was there.

[unklez]

My husband and I were at the bar when the person on the stool next to him started feeling woozy. He was very dehydrated and almost fell out of the chair. The bar tender called the ships doctor and we didn't see that couple until two days later. They said they got a bill for $1500.00 and it was charged to their sea pass. They also got billed $200.00 for a phone call check up and they said the only phone call they got was from room service to make sure the food was there.

 

Some phone call check up :D

[2DesertGuys]

Two years ago on the Radiance OTS I came down with an infection in my gums. The Dr. gave me medications and even was arranging for the harbor master to take me to a dentist in Puerto Vallarta for for more advance treatment. The attention of the medical staff was overwhelming. I declined the trip to the dentist in favor of my own. My bill was $250.00 for two visits and some medications. All covered. My partner forgot his sleeping pillls which he needs since he has a heart valve. The bill was $180.00, not covered. No they didn't tell us in advance what the cost would be nor did we ask or care, we wanted results...

[readytolose]

We had to visit the ships doctor at 2:30 in the morning the last night of the cruise. When I called they told me the fee for an after hours visit plus they said it would be extra for any medicine or tests if necessary.

 

My son ended up having swimmers ear and was given a shot for the pain and then 2 different prescriptions meds. The cost ended up being just under $300 and went directly on our seapass card.

 

Once we got back home my husband and other son went to our doctor for the same thing. Our doctor confirmed that the ships doctor has a proper diagnosis and the medicine given was a good medicine for that problem. (my son had to get a new medicine awhile after we got home because the other one stopped working but the doctor said the ships doctor prescribed the right thing)

 

I'm still fighting our insurance company for reimbursement for the charge because they tried to get more information about the charges from RCCL and of course RCCL never responded. I submitted everything with all of the medical codes from the doctor so the insurance company shouldn't have needed anything else but we'll see. I'm not holding my breath but it would be nice to get some of that money back.

[barbie5401]

My darling DH who is diabetic, lost his insulin bottle somewhere in the MDR where he had given himself his shot before dinner. So the next morning, no one found it in the MDR so we went to the doctor. All we wanted was a bottle of insulin -- they made him have a lot of expensive tests that they charged us for, all we wanted was to pay for the insulin. they said they don't have it on board they would have to send someone into town to pick it up - extra $$ the following day to buy the insulin. We agreed what are you going to do. Went back to the room and the bottle of insulin was still in his pants, in that little change pocket in men's pants. We ran to the infirmary to say we found it. they still charged us the price for having someone called to get the insulin the following day.

 

Now it doesn't matter how short a trip, two bottles of short term and long term just in case.

[CruisinNole]

Have you visited the ship doctor? Cost?

Do they tell you the cost ahead of time?

 

Have you gone to the ship doctor for relatively minor things?

 

If you were sea sick, would you visit the ship doctor?

Would it be an expensive fee?

 

I visited the ship's doctor on the Radiance. It was pretty expensive and they did not tell me the charges upfront. I was fortunate that my insurer, United Healthcare, treated this as a visit to the emergency room so I only paid $75 versus the $980 that was charged to my Seapass. I would not go for something minor especially if it is not during the regular hours. You really get charged a bundle if the doctor has to be called. And I wouldn't go for seasickness either. Pack something just in case. On the Radiance, there was a vending machine outside the waiting room with tylenol, aspirin, bandaids, seasickness pills, etc. I believe it took quarters. It used to be you could get seasickness pills at the front desk but I think those days are gone.