A viral post is drawing attention to the steep cost of medical services aboard cruise ships, where even routine care can carry price tags that rival the cost of the vacation itself.
The Reddit post is titled "Don't get sick on a cruise ship" was shared by user u/ultranothing on July 24 in the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit. It features an image of a cruise-ship medical bill that itemizes costs such as $274 for a single COVID/Flu/RSV RT-PCR test. The post has since received over 11,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments, with users expressing disbelief over the pricing.
There has been booming demand for cruise travel. A 2024 report by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said that ocean cruise passenger volume reached a record-setting 34.6 million travelers in 2024, marking a 9 percent increase from 2023. Though cruising still accounts for less than 3 percent of global tourism, CLIA characterized it as "a focused yet powerful slice of the market."
As cruise ships operate as self-contained environments, their onboard medical systems must be equipped to handle emergencies around the clock, contributing to higher prices for treatment.
"Cruise-ship medical costs can be surprisingly high because onboard medical facilities operate similarly to urgent care centers in the United States," board-certified family medicine physician Dr. Brynna Connor told Newsweek. She is a health-care ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com.
Connor said: "Because there are limited resources and 24/7 availability—per the American College of Emergency Physicians guidelines, ships must have medical personnel on call 24 hours in case of medical emergencies—you're paying not only for treatment, but you're also paying for the convenience and logistics of receiving medical care in a somewhat-remote environment."
Connor said that expenses increase sharply when specialized tools are involved. "When you add in the cost of specialized equipment—RT-PCR machines for COVID/Flu/RSV tests fall under the category of specialized equipment—the bill can increase exponentially and very quickly," she added.
For those looking to avoid such expenses, Connor stressed the importance of preparation. "To minimize the chance of needing medical care and avoid a potentially hefty bill, there are ways travelers can help themselves, starting with scheduling an appointment with their health-care provider at least four to six weeks before traveling to discuss any potential health risks at the destinations, necessary vaccinations, and/or preventive medications," Connor said.
In addition, she urged travelers to consider coverage options. "Travelers should also look into travel medical insurance, which is specifically designed to cover unexpected illnesses or injuries while traveling abroad—typically these policies will reimburse medical bills for costs like emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, and/or prescription medications—and/or comprehensive travel insurance, which often includes travel medical coverage in addition to other benefits."
Connor also recommended taking basic precautions once aboard. "Avoid high-risk food items, such as street food while at port, and drink only bottled or purified water, especially when traveling internationally, as food poisoning and dehydration are common reasons travelers end up in the ship's infirmary," she said. "Also, limit alcohol consumption, which can impair judgment and contribute to dehydration or accidents."
Even for the prepared, Connor advised carrying critical items. "It's a good idea to travel with a fully stocked personal aid kit, including anti-nausea medication—particularly useful on cruises—pain relievers, hand sanitizer, and/or any prescription medications," she said. "Make sure if you're portioning out medications; take enough to cover extra days in case of travel delays."
Connor recommended having your medical insurance information on hand and checking whether your policy includes international or cruise coverage, or purchasing travel insurance with medical benefits before setting sail.
Connor added that many U.S. policies may not offer sufficient coverage. "Many U.S. health-insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, offer limited or no coverage outside the United States. As such, hospitals and doctors in most other countries don't accept American health-insurance plans and will ask for payment up-front, which contributes to a significantly larger bill than you might expect," she said.
'Seaway Robbery'
Reddit users were shocked by the cruise travel medical costs highlighted in the viral post.
"Over $100 to slap a fingertip pulse ox sensor on you?? What is this nightmare," wrote u/LowVoltCharlie.
Another commenter, u/OccasionMU, broke down the charges: "$219 to be admitted to the hospital. Then another $219 to be seen by a doctor. Then $274 for a COVID test. Haha."
U/Powerful-Economist42 noted: "That's when you call them and negotiate. Both those were after the initial $199 for the visit. Seaway robbery."
For many Reddit users, the lesson from u/ultranothing's post was clear. "That's why you never travel without travel medical insurance," said u/Prosecco1234.
"Don't go on a cruise without cruise insurance. You took the risk," wrote u/Salt_Quality_9132. Others echoed the advice. "This is why you never—NEVER—travel outside the country without insurance," added u/Jaydamic.
U/EuphoricPines2448 posted: "The more I learn about cruises, the less I ever want to go on one! Sorry you are in this situation OP [original poster]."
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via the Reddit messaging system.
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