The weather is starting to turn cold (finally) and folks have started thinking about taking a little cruise during the winter months to enjoy the warmth and clear waters of the Caribbean. Those sound like great plans – but you better not get sick on your trip!
First, many of these doctors are not board-certified in important medical specialties like internal medicine or emergency medicine. Second, the ship doctors are not employees of the ship’s owners so Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, etc., are not responsible for the medical negligence of those doctors. Even worse, since many of these cruises travel in international waters the law of the good old USA may not apply and you may be required to sue the doctor in his or her native country – which may be Italy, Sweden, or Poland.
Here are 3 steps to take to decrease the risk of medical problems during your next cruise:
1. Buy travel health insurance providing for evacuations and emergency coverage.
2. Take copies of your important medical records with you on your cruise.Meet the cruise ship doctor upon arrival and discuss your significant medical conditions and medications.
3. Meet the cruise ship doctor upon arrival and discuss your significant medical conditions and medications.