Medical Needs

Our onboard facilities meet or exceed the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) standards.

• Staffing: Each ship typically carries 1–2 licensed physicians and 2–3 registered nurses, depending on ship size.
• Qualifications: All medical personnel are fully licensed, certified in Basic & Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and experienced in emergency medicine, general practice, and minor procedures.
• Equipment: Emergency defibrillators, ECG machines, external pacemakers, pulse oximeters, in-house laboratory testing, X-ray capabilities, and thrombolytic therapy are available.

Emergency care is available around the clock. Routine clinic hours generally follow a schedule (subject to change depending on onboard needs) and may differ from ship to ship.

The onboard Medical Centers are equipped to deliver appropriate emergency medical care for guests and crew while at sea. In the event of a critical situation requiring more advanced treatment than can be provided onboard, patients will be safely transferred to shoreside medical facilities that can offer the necessary level of specialized care.

Medical services are not included in your cruise fare unless otherwise specified.

• Fees will be billed directly to your stateroom account, with an itemized receipt provided for possible insurance reimbursement.
• It is recommended that medical insurance is purchased for the time of your cruise.
• Direct insurance billing is not available.
• Consultation fees are separate from the cost of tests, treatments, or medications.

Insurance Reminder: U.S. insurers may require clarification that your care was delivered internationally. Please note:

• ICD-10 (global version, not U.S. specific) are used.
• CPT billing codes and NPIs (National Provider Identifiers) are not applicable. As ships are foreign flag vessels.

Due to the high price of medical services in ports of call we strongly recommend all guests to buy Travel Insurance that includes medical repatriation and hospitalization.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Items: Basic remedies for colds, stomach, or allergies can be purchased at the Medical Center or in select onboard retail shops.

Motion Sickness Options:

• Meclizine: Available for purchase at the Medical Center, Guest Services, via Room Service, or at vending machines ( NCL ships only).
• Injections are available only if active symptoms of vomiting are present.

Prescription Medications:

• Bring enough medication for your entire voyage, plus 10 extra days for unexpected delays.
• Carry medications in original containers within your hand luggage. In the case of narcotics these must be accompanied by a valid prescription.
• Keep a copy (physical or digital) of your prescriptions.
• If a replacement is needed, the ship’s physician may prescribe an available alternative; however, exact brands or dosages are not guaranteed.

Safety Notice: Do not buy prescription or OTC medications from open markets or unverified vendors at ports of call—counterfeit drugs may contain harmful substances.

During your voyage, you will receive:

• A detailed invoice of all medical charges.
• A summary of care provided for insurance purposes.

After your cruise, records can be requested online by providing:

• Ship name, sailing dates, and booking number.
• A valid photo ID.
• Authorization if requesting records on behalf of another guest.