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There was a time when Carnival operated some of the biggest cruise ships in the world. While the sea may be vast and the journey long, the presence of experienced medical personnel on board ensures that passengers are in safe hands, even in the face of life’s final destination. Remember, these processes are in place to respect those who have passed and to ensure the continued comfort and enjoyment of the living cruising enthusiasts on board. So, while the topic is grim, the sea of information provided here should illuminate the realities of life (and death) aboard a cruise ship, keeping surprises at bay. Travel insurance data suggests about three-quarters of cruise ship deaths are from expected natural causes.
What Happens When Someone Dies on a Cruise?
The answer to this question is, yes, cruise ships do have morgues. Since cruise ships are like portable, miniature cities, having a morgue along with various other services makes perfect sense. While no one likes to think about someone dying while cruising the open seas, death is a natural process that can occur at any time.
Cruise ship morgues have space for several bodies
They're still packed with a variety of attractions, including multiple entertainment venues, casinos, spas and lots of deck-top fun zones such as water parks and ropes courses. In recent years, Carnival also has deployed two of its vessels to Australia to operate voyages from Sydney and Brisbane. In a departure from Carnival's American-focused business model, the Australia sailings are aimed mostly at the local Australian market, though they are open to American travelers.
The Cruel Reality of Cruise Ship Morgues: Widow Files Suit - gCaptain
The Cruel Reality of Cruise Ship Morgues: Widow Files Suit.
Posted: Sun, 23 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Cabins and suites
Here are five unexpected features on ships, some of which you hopefully won’t discover on your own. If you or a loved one were injured in a maritime incident, we can connect you to lawyers for a free consultation about compensation that may be available to you. If you have questions or have experienced the event of a death on a ship yourself, please share in the comments. It could be worth finding out how they assist in the event of needing repatriation, as this can be quite an involved process and overwhelming at this emotional time. A death certificate will need to be issued, and the cause of death may dictate what will happen next. An accompanying passenger to the deceased will also tend to disembark with the body.
Cheaper than a Care Home or Hospice
In fact, the lower tiers of the Carnival program are among the most stingy in the entire cruise universe. You'll receive things like a single complimentary bottle of water (at the Red tier) and a single free drink that only can be ordered on the last night of a cruise (at the Gold tier). As is typical with cruise line loyalty programs, lower tiers don't bring all that much in terms of truly valuable benefits. During the evenings, there is an official dress code, but it's pretty laid-back. Most nights are designated "cruise casual," which means just that — khakis or jeans, polo shirts, sundresses, etc.
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Page 232 – Cruise Hive.
Posted: Thu, 03 Aug 2023 09:13:33 GMT [source]
Once the inevitable occurs, the cruise lines swiftly swing into action to manage the situation efficiently, ensuring minimal impact on other passengers’ experiences. At this juncture, the body is usually handed over to local authorities or a local medical examiner’s office, as per federal regulations and international agreements. But it provides necessary facilities in the rare case of a passenger death, allowing the cruise line to properly manage the body on board rather than storing it in a makeshift area.
For comparison, the annual death rate in the general US population is about 8 in 1,000 people. The deceased’s family will be notified, usually via the emergency contact info provided when booking. Terms and conditions apply to all offers and prices displayed on this website. Fares are subject to availability and operator booking conditions.
Cruises
This short video features an onboard morgue on the Carnival Fantasy cruise ship (one of the smallest Carnival cruise ships at the time of service). Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, notably, has its very own in-house brewery you can see behind glass walls — something still relatively rare on cruise ships. It makes house beers including Parched Pig West Coast IPA and Parched Pig Toasted Amber which you'll find on many Carnival vessels in kegs and cans. You'll find at least one of its ships sailing out of pretty much every major port city around the country. In 2013, a grievance arose against Celebrity Cruises involving their vessel, the Celebrity Equinox.
The Reality of Deaths on Cruise Ships
The concept of a morgue on a cruise ship might raise eyebrows, but they are not as elaborate as their counterparts on land. While regular morgues are built to conduct autopsies and house multiple bodies for longer periods, cruise ship morgues are simpler and primarily designed for temporary storage. The process involves cooperation with local authorities, embassies, and funeral services to arrange for the repatriation of the deceased. This complex coordination ensures that the family of the deceased can make necessary arrangements in their home country. It’s important to note that the specific procedures and policies can vary among cruise lines. Each company has established protocols in place to handle these situations professionally and compassionately.
For storage, there are stainless steel refrigerated compartments or pull-out cold drawers to contain bodies. Basic embalming tools, cleaning supplies, body bags, and personal protective equipment are also kept for handling deceased persons. The morgue on a cruise ship is a very small, clinical room located out of the way from main passenger areas, often on a lower service deck without windows. Cruise ships are required by maritime law to have basic medical facilities, including a morgue.
Fall-related accidents were found to be the most common cause of death among passengers, followed by cardiac arrests and suicides. Crew members, on the other hand, were found to be at higher risk for suicide, murder, and falls. These findings highlight the need for safety precautions and awareness while at sea. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention additionally requires each ship that calls or does a homeport while at a United States port to report any deaths immediately. I’ve heard it reported many times that some older folk spend their last days cruising rather than go to a care home because it works out cheaper. Without insurance, the costs may have to be covered by the passenger’s family.
Most vessels are required to have a morgue and additional body bags in the event of an emergency. As the ship reaches its next port, arrangements are made for the body to be unloaded and transferred to local authorities. Cruise lines have established procedures in place to coordinate with these authorities and ensure a smooth transition. It is important to note that the responsibility for further procedures, such as determining the cause of death or arranging for a funeral, usually falls under the jurisdiction of local authorities. Their job is to assist with details of repatriating the deceased passenger and contacting a funeral home. They help families work with the local authorities, deal with insurance, and make travel arrangements.
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