While most river cruise ships do not have a doctor onboard, rest assured that the crew members are extensively trained in First Aid and will react quickly in case of an emergency.
It is important to pack all your medication in your carry on luggage and ensure that you have enough to cover the entire duration of your trip. As most of the ships do not have a medical facility or a doctor, you will not find any medication onboard. If you require over-the-counter medication, you can purchase it from local pharmacies. However, if you need prescription medication, you will need to see a doctor ashore or visit a hospital. In some ports, you may be able to call a doctor onboard, but please note that there may be a fee of up to 500 € for their services. The doctor can provide you with a prescription, and you can obtain the medication from local pharmacies. It is important to keep in mind that medication in Europe may differ from what is available in your home country, and even with a prescription from your home doctor, it may not be valid in most cases.
The ships are equipped with First Aid Kits and Automated External Defibrillators (AED), and the crew is trained to operate them. However, there are certain items that are not part of the standard First Aid Kit, such as specific antibiotic creams or wound patches. You can refer to our Travel Accessories page for a list of items that have been frequently requested by guests throughout the years, you might want to bring some with you onboard.
We have dealt with numerous emergencies onboard and have provided guests with the best possible care based on our First Aid training. In some cases, we have had to seek professional assistance and call paramedics. We have accompanied guests to hospitals to ensure they receive proper care, and in cases where there were language barriers, we have provided translation assistance, especially in Eastern Europe. One of the most challenging situations for us has been when the ship was sailing and an ambulance had to reach us in remote locations. However, we have always found a solution and accompanied guests to hospitals or clinics in nearby villages in Germany in the middle of the night, where professional help was available. We have maintained constant communication with the Captain to determine the best place for us to return to the ship, even in remote locations. We have many stories to share, some of which are also sad, but we have always done our best to assist in any way necessary. This is why we can now share this knowledge and ensure that you are well-informed and prepared for your journey.
Your health and safety are our top priorities, and we are here to answer any questions you may have on this topic. Safe travels!
