Health at Sea
Medical care on board, everyday hygiene and protecting yourself financially.
Get Free Cruise QuotesA cruise ship is a small town at sea, with its own medical center, water treatment plant and public health routines. Here is what to expect and how to look after yourself.
The Ship’s Medical Center
Every ocean cruise ship has a medical facility, usually on a lower deck near the middle of the ship, with doctors and nurses on call around the clock. They handle the everyday — seasickness, sunburn, sprains, infections — and they are trained and equipped to stabilize emergencies. If a guest needs hospital care the ship cannot provide, the medical team arranges a transfer at the next port or, in rare cases, a medical evacuation.
Medical care on board is not included in your fare. Charges go on your shipboard account, and you claim them from your insurer afterwards. That is one of the clearest reasons to compare travel insurance before you sail.
- Tell the cruise line in advance about conditions that need special arrangements, such as oxygen or dialysis.
- Bring a written list of your medications, doses and allergies.
- Keep medication in your carry-on — checked bags can take hours to reach your cabin.
- If you feel unwell, call the medical center early rather than waiting.
Norovirus and Everyday Hygiene
Norovirus is a common stomach virus that spreads easily wherever people live and eat close together — schools, hospitals, hotels and ships. Cruise ships are required to track and report gastrointestinal illness, which is one reason outbreaks at sea are reported publicly while those on land often are not.
The CDC Vessel Sanitation Program works with the cruise industry to prevent and control illness on ships that carry 13 or more passengers on foreign itineraries that include U.S. ports. It inspects ships across areas such as food safety, water quality and sanitation, monitors illness reports, and investigates outbreaks. Inspection scores are public: you can look up any ship with the CDC inspection search tool.
Wash, then sanitize
Soap and water is the most effective way to remove norovirus. Hand sanitizer helps but does not replace washing.
Use the stations
You will find hand-washing or sanitizer stations at buffets and gangways. They are there for everyone.
Report symptoms
If you become ill, the medical team may ask you to rest in your cabin for a short period. It protects you and your fellow guests.
Travel Insurance: Why It Matters More at Sea
At home, a trip to the doctor is usually covered by your health plan. At sea and abroad, that is often not true. A good travel insurance policy for a cruise typically includes trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical care, and medical evacuation. Compare policies carefully: read what is excluded, how pre-existing conditions are handled and whether you need to buy within a certain time of your first deposit. Our sister site Cruise & Travel Insurance explains the options in more detail.
For destination-specific health advice — vaccinations, mosquito-borne illness, food and water — check CDC Travelers’ Health for each country on your itinerary, ideally a month or more before you travel.
Health at Sea: Common Questions
Is there a doctor on a cruise ship?
Ocean cruise ships carry a medical center staffed by doctors and nurses. They can treat many illnesses and injuries and stabilize serious cases until the patient can be transferred ashore. Services are charged to your onboard account, so keep your receipts for your insurer.
Does my health insurance work at sea?
Often it does not, or only partly. Medicare generally does not cover care outside the United States, and many private plans have limits abroad. Check your policy and consider travel insurance that includes medical care and evacuation.
How do I avoid norovirus on a cruise?
Wash your hands with soap and water often, especially before eating and after using the restroom; use the sanitizer stations as a supplement; and tell the medical center promptly if you develop vomiting or diarrhea so they can help you and protect others.
Can I bring my medication on board?
Yes. Pack prescription medication in its original containers in your carry-on, with more than enough for the trip plus a few extra days, and a copy of your prescriptions.
Cruising With a Health Condition?
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can help you choose a ship and itinerary that suits your needs, and send free quotes.
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