ILLNESS AND INJURY ON A RIVER CRUISE

By John Gobbels, Chief Operating Officer of Medjet


It’s RIVER CRUISE SEASON, and we know that many of our Medjet Members are packing bags and heading off to see the Danube, Rhine, Mekong, Nile, and other famous rivers.

Every year, Medjet sees an uptick in transport calls from members who’ve been disembarked from river cruises and hospitalized abroad. The river cruise ships are much smaller than the large ocean liners so they’re a bit more unstable (especially the gangways), and frequently the ships tie up to each other so passengers must traverse another ship to get to land. Many of the cruise excursions are in older cities, with lots of uneven sidewalks and cobblestone streets to trip on, which also pose injury risks.

Since river cruises stay close to land, very few have any kind of medical capabilities onboard other than a first aid kit and an emergency AED (defibrillator). If you get sick or hurt, you’ll be taken to the nearest hospital in the nearest city, and if admitted you’ll very likely be left behind.

I’m frequently asked what the most common health and safety issues are on river cruises, what happens if you get sick or injured while on one, and if I have any tips for staying well. So, I thought I’d list out the Top 5 most common injuries and illnesses we get transport calls for, and offer some advice on how to avoid them.

1. The Grand Champion: Slip and Fall Injuries

This is the number one thing we typically see. The unstable gangways, having to climb over other boats to get to shore, wet decks or dining area floors, and slick or uneven cobblestone streets on shore all pose risk of injury. We’ve seen broken bones, spinal injuries, serious lacerations and severe head traumas from slip and falls, both on and off the ship. The best way to avoid taking a tumble is to always be prepared for the rogue waves typically caused by other large ships passing by. Wear stable shoes and hold tight to the rails going up and down the gangways. If you have any kind of balance issues, or hip or knee issues, ask someone you trust to carry your purse or backpack for you while you get on and off the ship so that you have both hands available and no “swing weight” in case the boat rocks. Watch your step on land as well ~ we see a LOT of fractured hips from slip and falls on cobblestones (from all over the world, not just cruises). Know which way traffic will be coming from when you cross the street. 

2. Gastrointestinal Issues

While the food and water aboard your cruise is likely to have high standards, much of your time is spent landside on excursions that offering opportunity to try local fare. If your river cruise is in Europe, I’d say that’s generally safe. If you’re cruising Asia, Latin America or Africa, stick to bottled beverages (no ice), and cooked foods that look to be handled well. Only eat fruit you peel yourself. Every year we see a lot of hospitalizations (and transports) that started with food or water contamination then evolved into something very serious, like sepsis or kidney damage. Another thing we see is travelers eating things their doctor has advised against (“I’m on vacation!”) or overindulging. Allergic reactions, intestinal blockages that require surgery, and pancreatitis from eating and drinking too much, can result in hospitalization.

 

3. Bicycle and e-Bike Injuries

These excursions might seem tempting and fun, but if you have not been on a bike in years it’s probably not a good idea to try your hand at it again in a foreign country. Even if you are an experienced rider, there are pedestrians, cars, trucks and potholes to contend with, so always wear a helmet and pay close attention to everything ahead of you, everything that might possibly hit you, and anything you might possibly hit!

4. Respiratory Infections

While river cruise ships carry far fewer passengers than ocean liners, it’s still a collection of 150-300 people, who’ve come from all over and are co-mingling in tight spaces. Excursions are also to heavily toured attractions, and it’s not just your shipmates going to the same museums, castles, cheese shops and temples. We’ve seen simple colds and flus turn into pneumonia that required hospitalization on land, and RSV is always a risk. Wash your hands as much as you can and carry hand sanitizer. Take care of yourself, get enough sleep so that you don’t run down your immune system, and if you do come down with something, don’t push yourself. Missing one or two tour stops is much better than ending up in the ER in a foreign country.

5. Normal Complications From Existing Medical Conditions

Don't forget that we are all vulnerable to our underlying medical conditions. Some of the most prevalent issues we see are things that are difficult enough to deal with at home such as heart attacks, strokes or complications from ongoing issues like diabetes. When traveling, these issues become a larger problem. Language barriers, travel medical insurance monetary caps, and being seriously ill far from doctors you know and your family to serve as patient advocates, can be scary. Do NOT forget your medication, pack an extra 50% of it in case of any travel delays, and make sure you remember to TAKE it.

One additional tip, since unlike ocean liners the river cruise ships do not have infirmaries:

Arrange for access to international telemedicine services prior to leaving on your trip. Being able to make a phone call, or have an internet consultation from an app on your phone, can save you a trip to a local clinic or ER for non-emergencies like a fever, sinus infection or a UTI.

As always, if you DO find yourself disembarked and hospitalized, our member transport team is reachable 24/7/365 (worldwide call +1.205.595.6626).

We know it can be disconcerting to be stuck in a foreign hospital, so we are always here to get our members moved to the hospital of their choice AT HOME.

Safe Travels,

John Gobbels ~ Chief Operating Officer | Medjet

 

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