We have vacation or travel insurance that covers medical bills that are not covered by our regular medical insurance. It is only effective when we are at least 100 miles from home. It is part of a benefit package.
A similar insurance is offered thru the Moose that costs about $70 for the year.
One member of our tour group had to visit the ship doc and the service was very good. One shot and a weeks worth of sea sick pills $80. This was on Princess. While cruising Celeberty a few years ago a person at our table got stung by jelly fish and was in the hospital for a day and with follow up treatment it was almost $1,000. So in the perfect world you will never have to make a docs visit but be prepared.
Enjoy Cruising.
Caseyg
Originally posted by Dave56:
I've never used the medical facilities on a cruise, but have read that the basic office visit can run $50 to $80, and $80 to $110 if the doctor has to make a "house call" to your cabin. This does not include medication or other supplies. Some ships have fairly high-tech facilities with live-time satellite feeds to big time trauma centers such as Cedars-Sinai Hospital. The ship's doctor can consult with an ER doctor or specialist. People have gone this far and found out that they had a hefty bill to pay - $1500 or more.
Originally posted by Dave56:
I've never used the medical facilities on a cruise, but have read that the basic office visit can run $50 to $80, and $80 to $110 if the doctor has to make a "house call" to your cabin. This does not include medication or other supplies. Some ships have fairly high-tech facilities with live-time satellite feeds to big time trauma centers such as Cedars-Sinai Hospital. The ship's doctor can consult with an ER doctor or specialist. People have gone this far and found out that they had a hefty bill to pay - $1500 or more.
Let me die.
Fivepoints, meet Dr. Kervorkian.
Hey, Chuck. Those prices are scary enough to give you a heart attack. Dr. K would be out of business, couldn't compete.
My experience on Golden Princess (May 2006) was very good. I developed a lung infection. The cost of the doctor's visit and medications were far less than at home. Between the HMO and travel insurance, all but $30 in non Rx items were covered.
My Mother, 82 at that time, tripped and fell while on a shore excursion off Sea Princess in Cartagena. Fortunately, the only injury was a cut over her eye, which required several stitches.
We were very impressed by the quality of care she received from the ship's doctor, and the charge for his services, medications, and follow-up visit was about $300.00--much less than it would have been at an emergency room at home; and the trip insurance (pun intended) covered most of that.
Last year I had to go see the doctor on the Grand Princess. It cost just over $100.00 including anticbiotics for a sinus infection. Walked right in, saw a doctor within minutes and was out again. Medical facility on the Grand Princess is on the Gala deck (4th) midships right by the elevators. I had independent out of country medical insurance through CAA and requested and received reimbursement when I got back home.
Originally posted by Lady Vidora:
I was just wondering...I got cruise insurance, but I don't have all the "fine" details on it just yet. Does good insurance normally cover any charges if you have to go to the medical people (I don't know whatyou call it on a ship) for something fairly simple like a sinus infection. What about things like anti-biotics? Does the ship carry that stuff? I get a lot of them in the winter, but I actually think I'll probably feel better than normal because sea air does wonders for me !
I have had 2 experiences with the Medical facility on board Carnival. One was a lost contact under my eyelid. The Nurse rolled the lid up recovered the lens, but it in a container with saline and sadi have a nice day. No Charge and a good experience. The second was when my wife dumped her bicycle on a tour in Barbados. The tour gave her first aid and radioed the ship. She was ok, just bruises and scrapes, and when we returned we were greeted with the news that a Dr was in the infirmary if we wantedd to see him. Went down and got it cleaned and disinfected got some 3 way antibiotic cream, severl packages. Very good service and again no charge.
However I also have a friend that cut his toe severly at night and got very poor service, had to have a friend nearly carry him down bleeding all the way and then the wait was long and the aid minimal. I do not think he was charged because he was crew and this is what they get for medical coverage. I think Carnival could have charged us for both or either and just didn't because it would be bad business for such a small sum and really cost them nothing. Big expensives to them are probably charged at the posted rates.
By the way, in response to the couple that spent an hour lookig for the infirmary, I can sympathize but being the parinoid that I am ther infirmary is one thing I locate early in the trip. Usually on a low deck.
Linear Mode
