Treatment offered for covid by medical staff on cruise ship

[eddieg07410]

I am extremely immune compromised and was wondering if Viking offers any kind of treatment on board if you contract Covid. Or do they simply quarantine you. Specifically, I was wondering if they have monoclonal antibodies, which is a common treatment for covid.

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, eddieg07410 said:

I am extremely immune compromised and was wondering if Viking offers any kind of treatment on board if you contract Covid. Or do they simply quarantine you. Specifically, I was wondering if they have monoclonal antibodies, which is a common treatment for covid.

 

Viking is no different from other cruise lines. Provided you do not require hospitalisation, or specialised care then you can be treated onboard.

 

The Medical Departments are not crewed to provide extended 24/7 care, so if you are hospitalised, they will normally disembark you at the next port with an acceptable health care facility. 

[molymoo]

From as near as I can gather you will be quarantined and given OTC meds (decongestants, acetaminophen, etc. to keep you comfortable.  It is highly unlikely that monoclonal antibody treatment would be available onboad. 

[MSEm]

I suggest that you talk with your Doctor about your upcoming trip.  Several times my Dr prescribed antibiotics to be filled and carried with us on the trip. The Dr gave us instructions on when and how to  take the medicine..  We also reviewed our vaccinations. Dr wanted to be sure that we were up to date on all vaccinations, such as tetanus, pneumonia and other vaccinations.

Edited October 7, 2022 by MSEm
correct spelling

[Mich3554]

I would imagine that if you caught Covid that could not be controlled with cold meds, you’ll likely wind up off loaded to a local hospital.  

[Grettiegoo]

I asked Viking if they'd have Paxlovid onboard and this was their response, "We do not treat Covid on board the ship. If the guest requires a specific medication for Covid, they will be treated at a shoreside medical facility."
 

We're on a repositioning cruise with five days at sea crossing the Atlantic--won't help any one sick at that time.

[WestW]

@eddieg07410.  I am also immunocompromised. I suggest asking your doctors about EVUSHELD which is a pre-exposure monoclonal antibody treatment that boosts your antibodies above what your vaccines provide.  

 

Unlike post-exposure monoclonal treatments which are given through IV, Evusheld is administered through 2 shots every 6 months.  Although it may not prevent you from contracting COVID, it will provide added protection against serious illness should you contract COVID while on your cruise.

 

https://www.evusheld.com/en/patient

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, Grettiegoo said:

I asked Viking if they'd have Paxlovid onboard and this was their response, "We do not treat Covid on board the ship. If the guest requires a specific medication for Covid, they will be treated at a shoreside medical facility."
 

We're on a repositioning cruise with five days at sea crossing the Atlantic--won't help any one sick at that time.

 

This is a risk factor that everyone who signs up for a trans-ocean passage should consider. Should you get sick, the Medical Centre is an emergency clinic, they do not have specialists or provide specialised care.

 

Since they have over 100 people onboard, at least they have a qualified doctor.

[PasadenaDave]

I saw another thread talking about getting Paxlovid prior to a cruise "just in case".  The thread mentioned that it is essentially impossible to get a prescription for the drug prior to getting sick and it requires a kidney function test within 6 months prior so that you don't go into kidney failure from the drug if your kidneys are compromised.

 

This could all be wrong and this drug might not be right for Omnicron varient.

I got Covid on a HAL cruise last month and am recovered.  I also have kidney disease stage three.  Knowing what I know of Paxlovid, I would not take it.

 

I do think if you are immune-compromised you might want to think twice before being anywhere that isn't close (hours) from a major modern hospital.

[LindaS272]

Agreed, in regards to Paxlovid. I don’t believe it’s something a physician can or will prescribe to take with you as a “just in case.” It’s got some potent side effects as I understand, and you’d want to be able to be monitored, which Viking medical staff would not be equipped to do.

[biggerbearmom]

We were on the Mars in August and contracted Covid. The medical staff does not prescribe Paxlovid, I asked. What they did offer was numerous types pf OTC medications. We were provided with cough medicine, Tylenol, day time decongestant, and a night time decongestant that was a godsend as it helped with sleep.