What happens if you need an antibiotic on a cruise?

The medical staff on cruise ships can diagnose and treat some illnesses on board and prescribe medications. While cruise ships typically stock a broad range of meds, including antibiotics, there's only sometimes a large supply. Doctors may give you a prescription you can fill at a pharmacy in the next port.



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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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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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Respiratory Illnesses. Respiratory illnesses are the most common medical complaint on cruise ships.

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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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Travelers should show the pharmacist the empty bottle or a copy of the original prescription. In countries where prescription vs. non-prescription laws have been enacted, the needed medication may be considered prescription, and thus a prescription from a physician is required.

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A medical consultation on a cruise usually costs around $100 (£85) if during medical centre opening hours. This price rises to around $165 (£137) for appointments outside of opening hours and can rise as high as $205 (£170) if a doctor needs to visit a guest's cabin.

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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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Studies have shown that quick application of hand sanitizers does not kill the norovirus. It takes about 30 seconds of hard rubbing with hot water and soap to kill it. The cause of most cruise line norovirus outbreaks is contaminated food or water. The way it spreads is through physical contact.

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Unfortunately, illness can strike even on a cruise ship - of course, it's a huge bummer when it does. Luckily, all cruise ships have a medical facility onboard to treat a variety of illnesses and conditions.

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As per CDC recommendations, if you develop or are diagnosed with any infectious disease symptoms, you are asked to stay in your stateroom until medical staff complete their evaluation and until your health condition improves.

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Do Cruises use Body Scanners? Cruises do not have the nude-type body scanners that you sometimes find in airports. They do have the whole-body walk-through metal detector scanners to forbidden detect metal objects on your person, such as any form of weaponry.

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