What is the quality of the medical care on board NCL ships

[jonsurg]

We are going to be going on a family trip with an elder parent and jsut wanted to know the quality of the care for those of you that might hav been unfortunate enough to need it. Are the ships docs generally us trained and of reasonable standard.

 

Thanks

 

Chris

[electricron]

We are going to be going on a family trip with an elder parent and jsut wanted to know the quality of the care for those of you that might hav been unfortunate enough to need it. Are the ships docs generally us trained and of reasonable standard. Thanks! Chris

 

Most international flagged cruise ships use internationally trained doctors. They aren't specialists, about the equivalent of family practicioners.

 

If you are worried about American trained doctors, the only cruise ships that should have them are those flying the American flag, the NCLA Prides cruising around Hawaii.

[Stevie17]

On our Spirit cruise last year, my 2.5 year old daughter awoke in the middle of the night with a very high fever. Within 5 minutes, we were in the infirmary visiting the doctor. He was wonderful with her, and determined that she had an ear infection. We were given antibiotics as well as fever reducing medicine. He placed a follow up call to us later that day just to make sure that she was okay.

 

Needless to say, I was happy with the responsiveness that we were shown as well as the level of care my daughter received.

[CruisinMatt]

In 2003 the Dream had one doctor from Canada and another from South Africa, both were very pleasant and knowledgable in my opinion.

[GhickfromTN]

My 75 year old mother in law fell in our cabin on the Norweigian Majesty last March. We insisted she go to the ship's doctor.

He said she had a:

1- bruised shoulder

2- sprined ankle

 

He gave her tylenol and told her to rest. (No x-rays) She never felt any better and her upper body turned black and blue.

 

When we got home we went to the doctor. She had:

1- broken collarbone

2- broken heel in 2 places

she spent the next several months on slings and casts...

[freakymickey]

On our cruise April 30, my DH aggravated a back injury which caused him extreme pain, he couldnt really walk. We thought our cruise would be spent in the cabin in bed the entire time. We went to the medical center not knowing what they could do considering he usually gets relief seeing his chiropractor. Well we saw the doctor and he was fantastic, he examined my husband and based on my husbands medical history he decided to give him 2 injections, 1 was an antiinflammatory and the other was a steroid. He told my husband that it would relieve the pressure and should last for atleast 2-3days. This doctor saved our vacation my husband was much better about 12 hours later and he had relief for our entire cruise, since we have been back he is seeing his chiropractor and he is doing very well. I was especially shocked that the charge was only $84.00 for the visit and the 2 shots.

[karfest]

My 16 year old daughter had a severe sunburn- she was to the point of blistering on her face. I told her to apply ice, use aloe and take aspirin.

She was concerned that she was permanently disfigured so I decided it was worth the $60 to go see the ships doctor.

 

We waited less than 5 minutes, the doctor came in, told her she had a sunburn, apply a cold compress, use aloe, and take aspirin!!

 

The nurse and doctor were both from South Africa. They seemed very competent to handle family practice type things. I was surprised at how nice and modern the medical facilities were.

 

The downside- our medical insurance denied my claim and it wasn't worth the effort to go through my travel insurance. I'm sure insurance companies LOVE people like me!