A recent story reported by the Mail Online highlights the potential cost of medical treatment on board cruise ships and the importance of having valid travel insurance when you are going on a cruise.

Anthony Thompson became seriously ill with heart problems and breathing complications on board a P&O cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean whilst returning from the Caribbean.

He was taken to the ship’s medical centre for treatment, where his conditioned deteriorated and he was put on life support. The nearest port with medical assistance was Madeira and the ship was rerouted in order to get Mr Thompson to hospital and the medical care he needed.

The bill for Mr Thompson’s medical treatment on board the cruise ship amounted to £23,000.

Mr Thompson’s bank, who provided his travel insurance, initially declined to pay the medical bills as they had not been informed about some pre-existing medical conditions which had affected his health.

In theory once he arrived in hospital in Madeira Mr Thompson’s medical treatment would have been covered by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), provided he was sent to a state hospital and not a private clinic.

However this case also highlights the limitations of the EHIC, which does not provide cover for medical treatment on board cruise ships, no matter where they are in the world or repatriation back to the UK if you are too ill to travel on a standard scheduled flight.

Make sure you have valid travel insurance for your cruise

If you don’t have valid travel insurance when you go on a cruise holiday you could find yourself facing large medical bills if you fall ill and require emergency medical treatment.

• 1. Make sure cruises are covered - Goodtogoinsurance.com provides cover for cruise holidays on all of our travel insurance policies — this is not the same with all travel insurance providers
• 2. Declare all of your pre-existing medical conditions — To be properly covered by your travel insurance if you do require emergency medical treatment on holiday you need to have declared all pre-existing medical conditions, including those controlled by medication such as high blood pressure or cholesterol.
• 3. Notify your insurer of any changes in your health — If you are diagnosed with a new medical condition, or an existing medical condition worsens in between taking out your travel insurance and departing on your holiday you should let your insure know to ensure that you are properly covered whilst you are away.

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