Cruise Injury Blog

Going on a cruise is a great way to relax, explore new places, and spend quality time with loved ones. However, just like any other vacation, unexpected events can happen, and you may need medical attention. Whether it’s a minor injury or a serious illness, knowing what to expect if you get sick or injured on a cruise can help you make informed decisions and get the care you need.

What Medical Facilities Are Available Onboard A Cruise?

Most cruise ships have medical facilities on board, staffed with qualified medical professionals who can provide a wide range of medical services, from minor first aid to emergency surgery. According to USA Today, most ships have a full-time doctor and nurse,

The world has changed significantly since March 2020. In the past year, millions have been infected with COVID-19, and many deaths resulted. But with recent vaccinations, a light glimmers at the end of the very long COVID tunnel. People are starting to consider travel again –specifically, cruising.

Cruise lines suspended their operations in March of 2020. Since then, the CDC has provided a framework for cruise lines to resume operations. Even with CDC standards implemented, how can you be certain it’s safe to sail again?

Here’s what you need to know about cruise safety in a post-COVID world, including the steps some cruise lines are taking to ensure cruisers feel secure on vacation.

Cruise Line Requirements to Set Sail Again

Coronavirus has been all over the news recently. It’s a highly contagious illness responsible for hundreds of deaths throughout China so far. For people planning on traveling to or near China, this is obviously concerning, and many people want to cancel their cruise tickets to the area.

Understanding what cruise lines are doing about travel to areas affected by coronavirus may seriously impact your cruise vacation plans.

The primary issue is a number of cruise lines aren’t refunding all of these tickets because of their own out-of-pocket costs. In fact, some companies are making it harder than normal to refund tickets for these cruises. Others are simply altering their itineraries to avoid the area.

Cruise Companies Refusing Refunds

Multiple major

During its latest health inspection from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Carnival Fantasy earned a failing grade. The Carnival Cruise Line ship received a score of 77 out of 100, falling 9 points short of the minimum passing score of 86.

Brown Water Discharged from Shower Lines

According to the July 2019 inspection, the Carnival Fantasy’s failing grade was due to a number of health violations, including “brown water” being discharged from two shower hoses and a shower in the medical area. The medical area shower was used at least twice a day, a crew member reported.

Multiple Violations at Food Stations

Additionally, inspectors found knives stored in warm, soiled water at food stations, an ice

The Norwegian Pearl, a cruise ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, recently experienced a mechanical problem in the midst of a 13-night cruise.

Although the issue did not stop the cruise, it forced the ship to travel at a slower speed and cancel several ports of call. Passengers, stranded aboard the vessel, have taken to social media to express their outrage.

Moreover, the cruise line cancelled an upcoming voyage on the Norwegian Pearl three days before the date of sailing in order to perform “necessary repairs.”

This incident has affected thousands of passengers, ruining a very costly vacation that they’d likely had on the books for months ahead of time.

Passenger’s Reaction Seemingly Leads to Better Norwegian Response

You embark on a cruise with high hopes of an adventure and time to unwind and reconnect with loved ones. Not to mention, the investment likely wasn’t cheap.

Nothing puts a damper on the excitement and romance quite like a bout of stomach sickness. Unfortunately, food poisoning and stomach viruses are common culprits for just that on some cruises.

The United Kingdom, for instance, recently reported 24 cases of Salmonella linked to travel on cruise ships travelling to the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Similarly, other cruise lines report E. Coli outbreaks and stomach viruses both sickening passengers.

So, how do you avoid one of these unlucky strikes?

Know your foodborne illness on cruise ships, and most importantly, how to

Norovirus – better known as the “cruise ship virus” – is an extremely contagious stomach bug. You can get it not only directly from an infected person, but also from contaminated food or water, or even by touching contaminated surfaces. Typically, norovirus comes with symptoms like severe stomach pain, nausea, and often violent diarrhea and vomiting. When not properly treated, it can lead to dehydration and even hospitalization.

Why is it common on cruises?

Because a cruise ship is basically a giant petri dish, with a bunch of people crammed into a relatively tiny space, with nowhere to go to escape. When research shows how even just a few sick people can send millions of microscopic virus particles through the