While cruise ships have extensive medical facilities, they typically do not have a dedicated dentist on board. The ship's Medical Center is staffed by doctors and nurses who are trained to handle a wide range of emergencies, from respiratory issues to minor traumas, but they lack the specialized equipment and licenses required for professional dental procedures like fillings, root canals, or extractions. If you experience a dental emergency while at sea, the ship's medical team can often provide pain management (such as ibuprofen or local numbing gels) and antibiotics if an infection is suspected. For actual repairs, the ship's medical staff or the Guest Services desk will assist you in locating a qualified dentist at the next port of call. Because dental emergencies can be extremely painful and expensive to manage away from home, it is a common recommendation for travelers to have a full dental check-up before embarking on a long cruise. Carrying a "dental emergency kit" with temporary filling material and crown adhesive is also a wise precaution for any international or trans-oceanic traveler.