Blog | Air ambulance | Repatriation from abroad (2024)

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The cruise industry has recovered remarkably from the COVID-19 pandemic. With new ship launches and innovations, cruise passengers from across the globe, North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Caribbean and others, are excited about the possibilities. There are even reports of an Australian businessman attempting to build an exact replica of the Titanic cruise ship, one that will feature modern-day navigation technology and safety features. We explore your options in case you experience a medical emergency on a cruise if you plan on taking to the sea during your vacation this year.

What you need to know in case of a medical emergency on a cruise?

• Cruises have medical centers with doctors and paramedics where they can treat certain medical conditions
• If you are on a ship and you experience a medical emergency, head to the medical center on the ship
• If your medical condition is serious and cannot be treated on board, the doctor will order your medical evacuation
• In that case, the ship will either disembark you at the nearest port or the most suitable one
• After being disembarked, you will require our air ambulances to get to a location offering high-quality care or to get back home
• Our air ambulances are fitted with the latest technology and can reach even the most remote locations

Are medical emergencies common on a cruise?

The circ*mstances of a cruise ship give rise to several health concerns and medical emergencies even at sea. Cruise ships see travelers from different regions coming together in a semi-enclosed environment, which facilitates the spread of infectious diseases. Besides contagious diseases, travelers should also be aware of any pre-existing conditions and take the necessary precautions to avoid a potential emergency onboard a ship.

What are some examples of common medical emergencies occurring on cruise ships?

According to the latest statistics, the most common medical emergencies, both illnesses and diseases, on cruise ships are:

1. Respiratory emergencies such as asthma attacks, difficulty breathing, or exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
2. Infectious diseases such as influenza and the common cold
3. Cuts, bruises, sprains or fractures and other injuries from slips, trips, falls and other accidents
4. Gastrointestinal illnesses (vomiting and diarrhea) including cases of food poisoning or novirus outbreaks which are more dangerous
5. Cardiovascular diseases: Heart attacks, strokes, angina or other cardiac conditions especially among the elderly. Cardiovascular diseases cause 80% of deaths on board cruises.
6. Seasickness/motion sickness with symptoms like nausea, dizziness and vomiting
7. Allergic reactions to food, medications or insect bites.
8. Dehydration, causing dizziness, weakness and other symptoms
9. Alcohol poisoning and other alcohol-related incidents related to overconsumption of alcohol
10. Heatstroke or heat exhaustion due to overexposure to heat, especially in warm dry climates

What happens in a case of a medical emergency on a cruise?

In case of a medical emergency on a cruise, the first step is to visit the ship’s medical center. All major cruise lines have a medical center offering travelers with a sickness or an injury treatment and care from doctors and nurses. Depending on the cruise line, the type and range of medical equipment available on the cruise will vary.

In general cases, cruise medical centers can prescribe and administer medications, perform minor surgeries and stabilize patients with more serious medical conditions. If your medical condition is treatable on board the ship, you will be given the relevant treatment or condition. Cases of infectious disease often require quarantine in your cabin.

What if you cannot get treated onboard the cruise?

If you have a serious medical emergency that cannot be treated onboard or which requires severe treatment and care, then medical evacuation from the ship is required. This is the case for medical conditions that require hospitalizations/surgery or conditions that are life-threatening.

Some of the conditions that are considered as a medical emergency on a cruise are:

• Fractures
• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Trauma
• Pulmonary problems
• Infectious diseases
• Severe mental illnesses

If the doctor onboard the ship determines that the traveler’s medical condition is severe and medical evacuation is needed, the captain of the ship will be notified immediately. Depending on the ship’s location and the patient’s condition, the ship will either disembark the patient at the next port or divert its course to reach the nearest port.

Usually, the decision is made to disembark the patient at a location where the relevant medical facilities are available. If the necessary facilities are not available at this location or if the patient wants to get back home, an air ambulance is usually needed for medical evacuation or for medical repatriation.

An air ambulance for medical evacuation / medical repatriation after an emergency on a cruise

The air ambulances of Medical Air Service are often required for the transport of patients who have had a medical emergency on a cruise. In most cases, the ship disembarked the passenger at a location where quality care is not available or is too expensive. In other cases, the traveler requires medical repatriation back home to rest and recuperate.

In these situations, ourair ambulances offer travelers with a medical emergency on a cruise ship a safe and quick way of getting back home. Our planes are fitted with the latest medical equipment and have doctors and paramedics on board to offer treatment and care to the patient during the transfer. Our planes are ICU-equipped and are able to transport even those requiring intensive care after their medical emergency on the cruise.

Medical Air Service also has medical escorts, a cheaper alternative, for patients who are stable enough to fly commercially but still need medical supervision. The medical escort will provide treatment and care to patients during the flight.

Why should you opt for our air ambulances after a medical emergency on a cruise?

At Medical Air Service, we offer patients a customized medical flight plan dedicated to their situation. Those who have experienced a medical emergency on a cruise can enjoy the following benefits when booking a medical flight with us:

• Our planes can reach even the most remote locations, hence we can pick you up from any location where you were disembarked at
• We are always available, 24/7, to listen to you and plan your medical flight
• Our agents are experts who will offer customized advice based on your situation
• Our medical planes are fitted with the latest medical equipment
• We have experienced and trained doctors specialized in organizing patient transfers
• We operate round the clock to offer you efficient and quick medical flights
• Your medical flight can take off the following day of the booking being made
• In cases of medical escorts, we will liaise with the airline company and deal with all the necessary formalities

Contact us for a medical flight in case of an emergency on a cruise

If you need to get to a location where better treatment is available or to get back home after a medical emergency on a cruise, get in touch with us. Our agents can be reached every day and at any time of the day to advise you and plan your flight. Contact them by mail, phone or our online form and they will get back to you to offer you a free non-binding quotation for your flight.