Is There Medical Staff On Cruise Ships?

Cruise ships typically have a doctor and at least two nurses onboard, with the world’s largest cruise ships having two doctors and five or six nurses. River ships and small ships may have less staff due to their proximity to land health facilities. Royal Caribbean cruise ships offer limited professional medical services through licensed physicians and nurses, providing basic medical services, treating minor illnesses, and providing on-call 24-hour medical staff.

On smaller ships, with up to 3,500 passengers and 1,500 staff, there are two doctors, three nurses, and sometimes a medical secretary. On larger ships, there may be two doctors with three or four nurses aboard. All cruise ships provide a full spectrum of high-quality, evidence-based medical care to guests and crew.

Medical qualifications and experience in primary care, heart, trauma, and general medicine are essential for providing effective care to passengers and crew members. Onboard doctors have medical qualifications, extensive experience in primary care, heart, trauma, and general medicine, and are responsible for assisting passengers and crewmembers.

Patients can receive prescriptions from the cruise ship medical staff if needed, but it is important to note that not all medications may be available. Join Royal Caribbean’s skilled medical team working on any of their 90 ships across nine brands: Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America.