At a glance: Cruise ships have 24/7 medical teams to treat common illnesses like seasickness, flu, and norovirus. If symptoms are serious or contagious, passengers may need cabin isolation or hospital care at the next port. Cruise travel insurance can help cover medical treatment, cancellations, cabin confinement and missed excursions.
Sun-soaked decks, stunning destinations, and endless buffets – it’s easy to see why cruises are so popular. But even the most relaxing holidays can come with the odd health hiccup. Whether it’s motion sickness or something more serious, it helps to know what to do if you start feeling unwell while you’re at sea.
In this guide, we’ll show you what to do if you get sick on a cruise and why having the right cruise travel insurance matters.
What are the most common cruise ship illnesses?
While cruises are generally safe and hygienic, germs can spread quickly within confined spaces. Here are some common cruise ship illnesses to watch out for:
- Seasickness or cruise sickness: a common ailment caused by the brain receiving mixed signals about the ship’s movement. It’s a type of motion sickness that can make you feel dizzy, nauseous or disoriented.
- ‘Cruise cough’: an informal term for a mild cough or throat irritation that some passengers experience during a cruise. It’s usually linked to dry air from air-conditioning systems and being around lots of people in shared spaces, rather than a specific illness.
- Flu and colds: often spread in communal areas like restaurants, theatres, and lounges.
- Norovirus: a highly contagious stomach bug causing vomiting and diarrhea.
- COVID-19: another contagious illness that can circulate on board. While less common now, it’s still important to know what happens if you test positive during your cruise, including isolation rules and access to on-board medical care.
For older travellers, other cruise health concerns can include dehydration, heat exhaustion, mobility issues, and complications from pre-existing medical conditions.
Before you set sail, it’s a good idea to discuss your health with your GP and make sure any existing medical conditions are declared and covered by your travel insurance. This ensures you’re protected should something unexpected occur.
What happens if you get sick before your cruise?
Feeling unwell before your trip can be stressful – especially when you’ve been looking forward to it. What you need to do depends on the situation:
- If it’s a short-term illness: such as flu, chest infection or stomach upset, speak to your doctor before travelling. They can confirm whether you’re fit to board and provide medical clearance if your cruise line asks for it.
- If it’s a new or ongoing medical condition: it’s important to tell your travel insurance provider. Declaring it ensures you’re properly covered if you need to cancel, postpone, or get treatment during your cruise. Your doctor may also need to confirm you’re well enough to travel, especially if your condition has recently changed or worsened.
- Check your cancellation cover: Avanti travel insurance includes protection if you have to cancel your trip due to illness. It’s worth reviewing your policy documents to understand how different types of medical conditions are covered.
5 steps to follow if you get ill on a cruise
Even with the best preparation, illness can still happen on board. Here’s what to do if you get sick on a cruise:
Step 1 – contact onboard medical services immediately
If you start feeling unwell, don’t ignore your symptoms. Whether it’s fever, nausea, or persistent dizziness, contact the ship’s medical centre right away. Be sure to mention any pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or heart problems, so the medical staff can provide an appropriate treatment plan.
Step 2 – medical evaluation and treatment
Cruise ships are generally well equipped to manage common illnesses and minor injuries. The ship’s doctor or nurse will assess your symptoms, run any necessary tests and provide medication if needed.
It’s important to know that medical treatment on board isn’t included in your cruise fare and won’t be covered by an EHIC or GHIC card. In fact, cruise ship care is classed as private treatment, so you’ll usually need to pay for it at the time. With the right travel insurance in place, these costs can be covered or reimbursed later.
Step 3 – what happens if you need quarantine or extended care
If you catch something contagious like Norovirus or COVID-19 while on board, you may be required to follow some strict protocols and isolate yourself in your cabin until you recover. This helps protect other passengers and crew. While quarantine can mean missing out on planned activities, travel insurance can help cover some of the unexpected costs.
Step 4 – when you may need to be disembarked for further treatment
If the ship’s medical team decides your condition needs specialist care that can’t be provided on board, you may be disembarked at the next port for hospital treatment. The cruise line will help arrange the transfer and coordinate with local healthcare services.
EHIC and GHIC cards may offer limited help with state hospital costs in some European ports, but they don’t cover private care or medical evacuation. That’s where Avanti travel insurance comes in – with unlimited emergency medical expenses (on Deluxe policies) and 24-hour support, we’ll help manage hospital arrangements and, if needed, organise your return home.
Step 5 – post-cruise follow-up and documentation
Once you’re home, gather your medical reports, receipts, and any discharge papers from the ship or hospital. Having everything organised can make submitting your insurance claim much easier.
If your illness meant missing prepaid excursions or onboard activities, include those details when you claim, as your policy may help recover some of these costs.
How Avanti cruise travel insurance can help
Some cruise lines ask for proof of travel insurance before you board – often with minimum levels of medical, cancellation and repatriation cover. Avanti cruise travel insurance is designed to meet those requirements, while giving you extra protection for the unique situations that can arise at sea:
- Unlimited emergency medical expenses* and 24/7 medical assistance.
- Cancellation and curtailment protection if illness or unforeseen events disrupt your plans.
- Itinerary change and cruise interruption cover to keep your journey on track.
- Cabin confinement and missed excursion benefits if you’re unwell or quarantined onboard.
- COVID-19 cover, including cancellation, medical treatment, and quarantine costs.
- Protection for pre-existing medical conditions (when declared and accepted).
Buy travel insurance from Avanti and cruise with confidence
Planning a cruise? Avanti’s friendly team can help you find the right travel insurance for your trip, including the extra protection cruises often need.
Whether you’d like to talk through medical cover limits, cancellation options or how to add cruise benefits to your policy, we’re here to help.
Get a quick quote online, or call us if you’d prefer to speak to someone directly.
*Deluxe policies only.
