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Medical care on board or in foreign ports falls outside the standard cover of your basic Dutch health insurance and can quickly run into hundreds or even thousands of euros. If you go on a cruise without additional travel insurance, you will often have to pay the difference between the actual costs and the Dutch rate out of your own pocket. Want to know what a ship’s doctor costs, which insurance you need and what you should pay attention to?
How much does a consultation with the ship’s doctor cost?
A visit to the medical facility on a cruise ship starts at an average of €100 for a simple consultation. If you need extra care, such as treatment, an IV, blood tests or medication, the costs can quickly rise to several hundred euros. Medication on board is often sold at a higher price than in a pharmacy on shore.
Procedures that require a stay in the medical facility or even evacuation to a hospital on shore can quickly run into thousands of euros. Evacuation by helicopter or ambulance from the ship to a hospital in a port city can cost between €5,000 and €10,000. The exact amount depends on the location and urgency. These costs are almost never included in your cruise fare.
‘ For many travellers they remain an unexpected expense. ’
Are medical expenses included in a cruise?
No, medical care on board is not part of what you pay in advance. The presence of a ship’s doctor is compulsory, but treatment is charged separately. After a consultation or treatment, you receive an invoice that you must pay immediately, or that is charged to your onboard account.
These medical costs are often mentioned in the cruise line’s terms and conditions. For many travellers they remain an unexpected expense. Combined with other outgoings such as drinks packages, tips and excursions, these costs can have a big impact on your budget. That’s why it’s sensible to get a clear picture of cruise prices and hidden costs in advance.
What does the basic health insurance reimburse?
Your Dutch basic health insurance remains valid while you travel. It only covers emergency care. That is done up to the level of a Dutch rate. If a consultation in the Netherlands costs €30 but at sea costs €120, you pay the €90 difference yourself. The same applies to treatments in hospitals abroad, private clinics in port cities and medicines you buy along the way.
Within the European Union, you can often use public healthcare at local rates with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). However, the EHIC does not apply on board a ship. Nor is this card valid in many popular cruise regions outside Europe such as the Caribbean, the Middle East or Asia. In addition, the EHIC does not cover repatriation to the Netherlands.
Why you need travel insurance with medical cover
Travel insurance with a medical module reimburses the costs that your basic health insurance does not cover. The insurance covers the difference between the actual costs and the Dutch rate, so you do not have to pay the difference yourself. In addition, important items such as repatriation – transport back to the Netherlands in the event of illness or death – are only arranged via travel insurance.
For cruises, medical cover is even more important because you visit several countries and sometimes spend days at sea. You are dependent on the healthcare on board. That care can be expensive. You also depend on hospitals in foreign ports. The quality and prices there can vary widely. Moreover, on cruises you often cannot rely on local health insurance or the EHIC.
What should good travel insurance cover as a minimum?
- Medical expenses abroad, including consultation, treatment, admission and surgery
- Repatriation to the Netherlands in the event of serious illness, accident or death
- Transport to and from the hospital, including from the ship
- Costs of prescribed medicines and medical aids
- Emergency dental treatment up to a certain maximum
- 24-hour emergency centre that can communicate directly with healthcare providers
Best insurance for a cruise
The best choice depends on your travel duration, destination and personal situation. If you travel several times a year, annual travel insurance is often more cost-effective than a single-trip policy. When comparing policies, pay attention to the following points:
- The level of medical cover: choose at least €1 million
- Whether repatriation is included and whether this also applies to a cruise
- Whether evacuation from a ship is explicitly covered
- Whether the excess (deductible) on your health insurance is reimbursed or not
- The exclusions: pre-existing conditions, certain sports or regions are sometimes not covered
- The accessibility of the emergency centre and the languages in which they operate
Some insurers exclude certain countries or regions. This applies, for example, to countries with negative travel advice. Check in advance whether all countries where your ship calls are covered. Also important: read carefully whether adventurous activities such as diving, snorkelling or jet skiing are included or whether you need extra cover for these.
Supplementary health insurance as an alternative?
Some supplementary health insurance policies offer more extensive cover for medical expenses abroad. That can be an option if you travel regularly. Repatriation is often not included. Cover is also often limited to Europe. For cruises outside Europe or with a longer travel duration, travel insurance is generally the better choice.
Practical tips before you leave
Take the following steps to board well prepared:
- Take out travel insurance with medical cover and repatriation as soon as you book the cruise
- Check that all countries and ports on your itinerary are covered by the policy
- Take your insurance details and emergency numbers with you, both in print and digitally
- Keep a copy of your health insurance card, policy and passport on your phone or in the cloud
- Ask in advance whether your emergency centre can settle bills directly or whether you have to pay upfront
- Check whether you may take your medicines with you and ensure you have sufficient supply, including the original packaging
- Keep receipts, invoices and medical statements for later claims
What should you do if you need medical care en route?
If you need medical help during the cruise, first contact your insurer’s emergency centre. They can communicate directly with the ship’s doctor or the hospital on shore. They ensure that costs are approved or even paid directly. In many cases you will then not have to advance large sums of money.
If that is not possible, you pay yourself and claim later. In that case, make sure you have original invoices, a medical report and proof of payment. The more complete your paperwork, the faster the insurer can reimburse you. Also keep the prescription if you have bought medication, so it is clear that these were medically necessary.
‘ Good travel insurance often also covers these indirect costs, provided they are linked to a medical situation. ’
Hidden medical costs on a cruise
In addition to the direct costs of consultations and medication, there are other expenses that are often overlooked. Think of transport from the ship to a hospital in a port city, interpreter or translation costs when being treated in a non-English-speaking country, or extra overnight stays in a port if you cannot get back on board in time.
Making up missed port days or rebooking flights if you are not back in time due to illness can also affect your budget. Good travel insurance often also covers these indirect costs, provided they are linked to a medical situation.
Discover more on Traveler Tips
Medical expenses and insurance are just one of the many aspects that complete your cruise preparations. On the Traveler Tips website, you will find extensive information about travel documents, packing lists, itineraries, safety and everything you need to know for a well-planned holiday. Discover more practical tips and reliable information to help you travel more consciously and smartly.
Frequently asked questions
First check with your health insurer which emergency care abroad is reimbursed (usually up to the Dutch rate) and whether you still have an outstanding excess or personal contribution. In addition, take out travel insurance with extensive **medical expenses** cover and **repatriation**, so that the difference with foreign rates and any medical transport home are covered. Before departure, check the policy conditions for exclusions (for example, for pre-existing conditions, private clinics or emergency dental treatment). Take your health insurance card, EHIC (within Europe), policy numbers and emergency numbers with you and in an emergency always call the travel insurer’s emergency number first for approval of (expensive) treatments or transport.
Check whether medical expenses abroad are fully reimbursed (also above the Dutch rate) and whether emergency care at sea, in private clinics and in expensive tourist areas is included. Pay attention to cover for repatriation (medical transport back to the Netherlands), ambulance and helicopter transport, and any personal contributions or excess that you still have to pay yourself. Look carefully at exclusions such as pre-existing conditions, pregnancy, risk sports or non-essential treatments. Check up to what maximum amounts are reimbursed and whether you are required to contact the emergency centre first.
In a medical emergency while travelling, you should first call local emergency services (112 or the local emergency number), get medical assessment as soon as possible, and make sure your travel companions or tour leader are informed. Then contact the emergency number of your travel or health insurer straight away for authorisation, assistance with choosing a hospital and any repatriation. Keep your policy number, personal details, location, the name of the doctor/clinic and a brief description of the situation to hand. Ask for written confirmation (for example by email or text message) of any arrangements made and keep all medical reports and invoices for your claim afterwards.
It is useful to have travel insurance with generous medical cover and cover for repatriation, so that (expensive) hospital care abroad and possible transport back to the Netherlands are covered. Also consider roadside assistance and replacement transport, so that you can continue your journey quickly in the event of a breakdown or accident. In addition, you can look at cover for cancellation and unused travel days if your trip has to be cut short. Finally, check whether the excess on your health insurance is reimbursed abroad.
