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Most cruise ships with more than 50 passengers will have medical facilities and a licenced doctor onboard. Hopefully you will never need to call on them, but it is nice to know they are there just in case. The onboard Medical Centre should be capable of treating, evaluating and providing reasonable emergency medical care for passengers and crew and have medical staff on call 24-hours a day. Procedures will be in place for the evacuation of more serious cases.

Doctors will be generalists and licenced. American and British cruise lines use doctors licenced in the US, Canada Australia, South Africa and the UK. The size of ship may determine the exent of the facilities although some smaller luxury ships are very well equipped. Ideally these facilities would include an examination room, isolation room, x-ray machine, defibrillators, cardiac monitors, airway equipment, external pacemaker, electrocardiograph, infusion pump and a mobile emergency trolley.

Consultations with the doctor and use of the medical facilities will be charged on your shipboard account so ensure that you have adequate travel insurance with medical cover. Remember when you book to advise the cruise line of any conditions that will require treatment while onboard. Also don't forget to take any medication you need with you on the cruise.