What happens if you get strep on a cruise?

If a doctor says you are too sick to remain onboard, you must abide by his or her orders. 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.



If you contract strep throat on a cruise in 2026, your first step should be visiting the ship's Medical Center, which is typically located on one of the lower decks. The medical staff can perform a Rapid Antigen Test or a throat culture to confirm the diagnosis. Once confirmed, you will likely be prescribed a course of antibiotics (such as Penicillin or Amoxicillin) available at the onboard pharmacy. In the interest of public health, the ship’s doctor may require you to isolate in your stateroom for 24 hours after starting the antibiotics to ensure you are no longer contagious. In 2026, cruise lines have streamlined this process; you may receive complimentary room service and in-stateroom entertainment during your brief quarantine. It is important to note that onboard medical visits and medications are not included in your cruise fare and can be quite expensive, so having travel insurance with primary medical coverage is essential to get reimbursed for these costs after you return home.

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A guest that is diagnosed as having an infectious disease by a member of our medical staff onboard will need to isolate onboard for a period of time — either until they can be safely disembarked at a port of call with private transport home, or when the sailing concludes back at the home port where it started.

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Onboard Pharmacies Pharmacy stocks are available onboard, which means you will be able to get basic medicines. The size of the inventory varies by ship, but staff will be able to provide you with antibiotics, seasickness pills (often complimentary), aspirin and other common medicines.

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Infectious Disease Outbreaks The most frequently reported cruise ship outbreaks involve GI infections (e.g., norovirus), respiratory infections (e.g., coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19], influenza), and other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), such as varicella.

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What happens when someone goes overboard on a cruise ship? The ship goes into emergency mode. The bridge will contact the Coast Guard and a search will begin. The ship will stop and the crew will try to pinpoint where and when it happened so they can start a thorough search in that area.

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In 2023, a decade-high number of cruise ships have reported an unwelcome passenger on board: norovirus. Outbreaks of the stomach bug have surged on cruise ships this year, reaching the highest levels seen in 10 years.

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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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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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One of the biggest misconceptions about cruise ships is that they're germ incubators—that you can't escape. But the likelihood of catching a stomach bug on a seven-day voyage is less than 1 percent—which is about a third the risk of getting infected in your day-to-day life back home, says Dr.

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If you wonder whether cruise ships have jails, the answer is yes. Jails are called brigs on a cruise ship and tend only to be used in serious circumstances when no other options are available. Cabin arrest is typically used before the brig is needed.

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For travelers going on cruises or international, we'd recommend looking at plans that offer $150,000 per person for evacuation and repatriation. The cost of getting evacuated off of a cruise ship can vary greatly depending on where you are at that particular time.

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The morgue is usually found on the lowest ship deck, away from guests. It is a refrigerated room made of stainless steel with individual compartments. Generally, the bigger the ship, the more shelves are found in the morgue. Morgues tend to be small and can typically hold three to six bodies.

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Do Cruise Ships Have Pharmacies? Cruise ships do not have full pharmacies onboard but will usually have a section of an onboard shop dedicated to medicine. Here you can find treatments for common problems such as headaches or colds.

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Among the bacterial pathogens that cause respiratory infections on cruise ships, the most common infections reported have been due to Legionella species (Fig. 2).

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Norovirus is a very contagious virus that often causes diarrhea and vomiting. Some people call it the “cruise ship virus.” Miami Herald File. Summer travel has returned and people are flocking to cruises again, with more than 31.5 million passengers expected to sail in 2023. But sometimes people get sick while onboard.

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