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Are there doctors on cruise ships?

Medical staff varies by ship size, but typically ships have a doctor and at least two nurses. The world's largest cruise ships may have two doctors and five or six nurses. River ships and small ships that hover close to shore have less staff since they can easily access health facilities on land.



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Cruise ships can treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries on board. Some onboard medical facilities look like urgent care centers, while others are more like doctor's offices. Health insurance often does not cover medical care on cruises, but travel insurance might.

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In general cases, cruise medical centers can prescribe and administer medications, perform minor surgeries and stabilize patients with more serious medical conditions. If your medical condition is treatable on board the ship, you will be given the relevant treatment or condition.

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Cruise ship physicians need at least three years of clinical experience post-residency, ideally in emergency medicine or family practice. Working in these areas equips you with knowledge about various health conditions, patient demographics and medical scenarios.

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Cruise ship doctors work as independent contractors and may charge a basic hourly fee. There will be additional charges for medications and tests. All must be paid for at the time of service and will be billed to your shipboard spending account.

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I was impressed by the professionalism of the nurse and doctor onboard the cruise; additionally, I was shocked that the total cost was only $155 for the physician visit, antibiotics and tests conducted. I'd argue that the convenience and accessibility of an onboard medical facility is a travel luxury.

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U.S. citizens traveling by sea must now have either a U.S. passport, passport card, or other WHTI- compliant document. Be aware that the “enhanced driver's licenses” or “enhanced ID cards” offered by many states are not accepted by Dominican authorities for ferry travel from Puerto Rico.

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Typically, a member of the cruise line's Care Team will accompany the ill passenger and a companion or family member to the hospital. You will not be reimbursed for any unused portion of your cruise. You will be charged for medical services onboard and in the port of call where you are disembarked.

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The short answer: Drink water and go see a doctor. If you experience symptoms of a UTI at sea, respond first by drinking plenty of water. Increasing your urinary flow can slow the progression of a UTI, which is especially important if you do not have immediate access to professional medical care.

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Can you bring weed on a cruise if you have a medical marijuana card? Unfortunately, no. Even if you have a medical marijuana card and leave from a state where cannabis is legal, it is not legal for any individual to be in possession of it while on a cruise ship.

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No “Body Scanner” They aren't at cruise terminals. You just walk through a metal detector. That also means you don't have to take everything out of your pockets. You just take out whatever might set off the detector.

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It comes as no surprise that the ship's captain has the biggest salary from working on a cruise ship. The master of the vessel has a huge responsibility for ship safety for crew and passengers along with navigation. The captain can earn almost $100,000 manually depending on the cruise line and experience.

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Paying for Medical Care While Cruising When you get sick or worse and need treatment or emergency services, you will pay for it, typically out of pocket.

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11 things to know before travelling to the Dominican Republic
  1. The culture is very welcoming. ...
  2. You can only get the Dominican peso in the country. ...
  3. You may not need a Tourist Card. ...
  4. The concept of time is a little different. ...
  5. Merengue is the soul of the country. ...
  6. Dominicans dress to impress. ...
  7. You can't drink the tap water.


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Standard Cruises: These cruises start or stop at non-U.S. ports, thus necessitating passport books for passengers of all ages. You cannot board or disembark from these ships without a valid passport book.

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First and foremost, if a United States citizen chooses to do a closed-loop cruise without a passport, they'll still be required to show a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) and proof of citizenship (a certified copy of your birth certificate).

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Being airlifted off a cruise usually costs at least $20,000 and this can rise into the hundreds of thousands depending on location and other factors. This is one reason why taking out travel insurance with good medical cover is essential when cruising. Do not EVER cruise without travel insurance.

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If the emergency is serious enough, sometimes passengers will be evacuated by helicopter or the ship will divert to a nearby port to get the passenger ashore as quickly as possible.

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Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences. Here are some guidelines to help you decide how much money to bring on a cruise.

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Original Medicare (Parts A & B) may cover medically necessary health care services on a cruise ship, if the ship you're on when you receive the care is in a U.S. port or no more than 6 hours away from one when you get the services. That means the ship can be in the water, but must be within six hours of a U.S. port.

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