What happens if you get sick on a cruise ship

Hantavirus, the rat-borne virus that has killed three cruise passengers and is suspected of infecting several others holidaying aboard MV Hondius, has raised fresh fears about what happens when you get ill on a ship.

Heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, fractures, seasickness, norovirus; if it can happen on land, it can happen at sea. Unless they can be treated on board – and many ailments can – patients will be transferred to a hospital as soon as possible. If the ship can’t make land, that means airlifting them off, as happened on a voyage with HX through the remote Beaufort Sea a couple of years ago.

Less serious, but still a holiday-pooper, a passenger on the same expedition tripped over a suitcase when unpacking and broke their arm. It was set on board and checked over at a hospital when the ship arrived in Greenland.

Read on to find out what happens if you get ill on a cruise ship.

Is there a medical centre on board?

All ocean-going ships – so not river ships or small vessels operating in coastal waters – have a medical centre equipped with defibrillators, x-ray machines, a ventilator, cardiac monitors, wheelchairs, stretchers and more. The bigger the ship, the larger and better equipped the facility.

Is there a doctor on board?

Big ships have a doctor and at least one nurse. Small vessels have a nurse or someone medically trained who can take charge during an emergency. Star Clippers’ ships have a doctor on board for long crossings; on other cruises, medical issues are the responsibility of one of the staff.

River ships are different. They are never far from land, so if passengers need medical treatment, they are put ashore anywhere that can be accessed by road and taken to the nearest hospital.

What treatment can I expect on board?

Medical staff can treat “walk-in” ailments such as seasickness, burns, bites, broken arms, sprains and colds. They can also administer seasick pills and headache pills, prescribe antibiotics and have access to emergency medications such as thrombolytics to stabilise passengers in a critical condition.

Medical centres have opening hours for non-critical conditions, but medical staff are on call 24 hours a day and are in attendance in minutes in an emergency.

What happens if they can’t treat me?

The on-board medical team can provide a “sticking-plaster” for most ailments that will see the patient through to the next port, where they can either get themselves to a hospital or attend with the ship’s medical staff.

In an emergency, the preferred option is to get the ship to a port from where the patient can be transferred to a hospital. If that is not possible, the patient will be airlifted off by helicopter.

Do I have to pay for treatment?

There is a charge for medical treatment on a ship (exceptionally, maybe not for norovirus, see below). The fee will be charged to the cabin account, and it is up to the patient to claim the cost on their travel insurance.

Some travel insurance policies are rendered null and void if you go on a cruise without also taking out the company’s cruise cover (the latter typically covers cabin confinement or missed excursions and ports), so be sure to read the small print or speak to the insurer before purchasing a policy.

Cruisers especially need to be sure they are covered for a medevac, should that be needed, as a helicopter evacuation will run into tens of thousands of dollars.

Can I bring medication on board?

Those on prescribed medication should make sure they pack enough to last for the cruise. Always carry it in hand luggage so there is no chance of losing it while travelling.

What happens if I get norovirus on a cruise?

At the first sign of norovirus, the ship’s “stop-the-spread” protocols swing into action. Self-service in the buffet is halted, and the crew step up cleaning touch points such as bannisters and lift buttons. Passengers with the bug will likely be quarantined in their cabin until they are no longer infectious.

Medical treatment for norovirus is invariably free to encourage passengers to admit they have the bug and see a doctor.

Can I claim a refund if I catch norovirus?

As a rule, cruise lines will not offer passengers compensation, even if they have been confined to their cabin. However, the cost of excursions will be refunded, and cruise lines might offer cruise credit if they decide to cut the holiday short so the ship can have a deep clean.

The cruise cover sold as an add-on to some travel policies may pay out for cabin confinement. Check the small print before buying if it is a concern.

Will I get seasick?

Despite what they tell you about stabilisers stopping the motion of the ocean, seasickness is still a thing, especially on smaller vessels.

Some people are more susceptible than others. One has to admire the woman on her first cruise who was sick even when the sea was doing a good impression of a millpond, but loved the holiday so much she was determined to sail again. Many are fine with the rocking but succumb to the rolling.

Everyone has their own solutions, from drinking ginger ale to getting into the fresh air and keeping an eye on the horizon.

Pressure pads on the wrists or patches behind the ears are favourite remedies for some; others still pop a couple of seasick pills (most expedition ships keep them at reception in case needed). A lot of cruisers swear by the anti-seasickness jab and make a beeline for the medical centre at the first sign of rough weather.

What if someone dies on a cruise?

Cruise lines are in the business of selling fun holidays, so naturally, they don’t like to talk about death and dying, but all ships have morgues in the unlikely event that the worst happens. The body will usually be discreetly put ashore at the first port that accepts human remains and will be repatriated home from there.

Anecdotal evidence suggests cruise lines do a terrific job supporting the family of those who have deceased and helping them make the necessary arrangements to get the body home. The cost of repatriation should be covered by travel insurance.

The Telegraph, London