If you visit the ship’s infirmary, and the ship’s doctor provides medical services to you, such as blood tests, shots, or medicine you will pay for it...and pay a lot for it. 

A few days after you visit to the infirmary, you will likely get an unpleasant surprise: a bill for medical services that could run from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Plus, the amount of your medical services will immediately be charged to your onboard account, and a hold placed on your credit card.

You see the cruise line isn't likely to accept health insurance — even traveler’s insurance, and even the insurance purchased through the cruise line.  On the other hand, if you are diagnosed with norovirus, the family of Norwalk-like viruses that strike some cruise line guests, your treatment will likely be free. 

As all cruise ships are registered in foreign countries,  your medical insurance coverage doesn’t work aboard ship. Even if you have worldwide medical coverage, don't bother handing the cruise line your insurance card. You will have to pay for your medical expenses onboard up front and seek reimbursement when you return home.

Could you avoid the out-of-pocket medical expense?  If you purchase third-party travel insurance, ( not sold by the cruise line ) you may receive upfront financial assistance or get your money back more quickly.

Depending upon the situation, if a medical facility requires an upfront payment, some Insurance providers coordinate that on behalf of the client. Depending upon the policy you purchase, third-party insurers may provide primary coverage, i.e., the insurance company pays you directly for any medical claim. Most cruise lines that sell insurance policies,  provide secondary coverage, which means that you must file your claims through your own medical insurance company, then seek reimbursement from the cruise line’s insurance company.

Editors Note: You should always read and understand the fine print in any Insurance Policy before you purchase it. Don't assume the policy will cover an anticipated situation or an existing condition. It's too late to find out after the fact that what happened to you is not covered or has limited coverage.

Do you receive Medicare?  If so, you should always purchase travel insurance when you cruise, because there is no Medicare coverage outside the United States. If you require medical evacuation transportation, these services are rarely covered by medical insurance policies. Domestic air medical evacuation services average $10,000 to $20,000, while international transports can exceed $75,000.

Don't get left high and dry on your next cruise. Cover your cruise with cruise travel insurance through Travel Guard. Travel Guard Insurance plans include cruise insurance for cruises of all shapes and sizes. Plans may include valuable medical coverage, trip interruption, emergency travel and health services and more.

What's The Norwalk Virus

Norwalk virus, named for an outbreak three decades ago in Norwalk, Ohio, or a group of Norwalk-like viruses have been blamed for sickening hundreds of cruise ship passengers in recent weeks. The viruses are among the most common causes of outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise vessels.

Norwalk-caused gastroenteritis generally has an incubation period of 12-48 hours and can last up to 60 hours. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Although rare, severe dehydration caused by the virus can be fatal among older people with debilitating health conditions.

The viruses can be spread by consuming contaminated food or water and through close contact with infected people or things they have touched. Commonly found in the environment, they tend to spread quickly in enclosed quarters, such as nursing homes and cruise ships.

Cruise vessels are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks because they often dock in countries where sanitation may be inadequate, increasing the risk for contamination of water and food taken aboard or for having a passenger board with an infection. After the virus in on board, the close living quarters amplify opportunities for person-to-person transmission.

Food contamination is frequently caused by infected food handlers or shellfish harvested from contaminated waters. Ready-to-eat foods that require handling but no subsequent cooking, such as salads and deli sandwiches, pose the greatest risk. Less commonly, outbreaks have been associated with water contaminated by human feces, including municipal water, streams, commercial ice and swimming pools.

• Frequent hand washing can help curb transmission.

• Avoid shaking hands.

• When in doubt, drink only bottled water.

• Amid an outbreak, avoid consuming ready-to-eat foods  

A Message From The Cruise Lines International Association

The recent news stories regarding norovirus incidents aboard cruise ships may cause you to express concern about vacationing at sea.

CLIA has prepared this communication so that you have the latest norovirus information at your finger tips. Included are the procedures that cruise lines are taking, plus preventative measures you can take to stay healthy while enjoying your vacation. According to the most recent information, the facts are as follows:

What is norovirus? Norovirus sounds exotic, but it’s well known as the “24-hour stomach bug” and is the second most prevalent illness in the U.S., after the common cold. Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps that typically last one to two days.

There are numerous incidents of norovirus across the country, but the reason you hear about it with regard to cruise ships is because they are the only ones required to report gastrointestinal illness to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Hotels don’t have to report it – neither do airlines, universities or hospitals.

On cruise ships, the illness is typically spread through person-to-person contact by touching surfaces that someone with the virus previously had contact with, not from the food or water. So, clients should heed their mother’s advice and wash their hands! The best way to prevent illness is to wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and warm water.

What are the chances of getting norovirus? The CDC estimates that 23 million people in the U.S. – or eight percent of the population – contract norovirus each year; that’s 1 in 12 people. In contrast, far less than one percent of all U.S. cruise guests are affected by norovirus annually; that’s 1 in 3,600 people.

The few cruise guests who experience symptoms should follow the guidance of the ship’s medical staff to prevent the spread of the illness to fellow passengers.

In addition to taking individual precautions, cruise lines are vigilant in keeping a clean ship. Rigorous cleaning procedures are in place to disinfect and sanitize public areas including all door handles, railings, elevator buttons and slot machine levers, to name just a few. In fact, according to the CDC, cruise lines have the highest sanitation standards in the world.

The safety and well-being of our guests is the cruise industry’s highest priority. Should you seek additional information, including more information on norovirus, tips for staying healthy on a cruise and proper hand-washing techniques, please visit the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program Web site at www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp or www.cdc.gov.