Former cruise doctor highlights potential cost of medical care at sea
Ellen Welch says uninsured passengers can face substantial bills, while Royal Caribbean requires appropriate travel insurance with healthcare coverage.
Cruise passengers without travel insurance may be responsible for significant medical expenses if they become ill at sea, according to former shipboard doctor Ellen Welch.
Welch said she frequently treated uninsured guests during her 10 years working aboard cruise ships. She explained that consultations carry a minimum charge, with separate costs added for investigations, treatments and medications. For seriously ill patients who require admission and specialist treatment, she said bills can run into thousands of pounds.
Although onboard medical facilities are equipped to respond to emergencies, Welch said they are not hospitals. Passengers with severe conditions may therefore need to leave the vessel and receive definitive treatment at a land-based facility, potentially adding further arrangements to their care.
Royal Caribbean states that passengers must have appropriate travel insurance that includes healthcare coverage. The company says the policy should cover both the cruise holiday and any other destinations guests plan to visit independently.