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Additionally, port authorities on any port the ship visits have the right to require examination of a dead body and off-loading the body. Generally speaking, the first large port city the ship calls at is where the body will be offloaded, taken to a medical examiner's office and repatriated. But each country has its own rules and regulations about accepting bodies, declaring cause of death and repatriating remains. Cruise morgues are stainless steel refrigerated rooms with shelves where bodies are stored, either until the end of the voyage or until they can be disembarked in a port of call and repatriated.
Former cruise ship worker reveals the eerie 'reason' they host free ice cream parties - UNILAD
Former cruise ship worker reveals the eerie 'reason' they host free ice cream parties.
Posted: Sun, 03 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Burial at sea: Scattering a loved one's ashes from a cruise ship
From joyous occasions to celebrations of life, here are some extraordinary services cruise ships offer. Most people know cruises offer a great value and are nearly all-inclusive with good food, accommodations and entertainment. Add to that exotic ports of call and shore excursions that strike all fancies, from beach bums to adrenaline junkies. Many of the things that you have access to on a cruise ship — a cabin, dining hall, bars, sun decks, gyms — have separate versions on a lower deck for the crew to use.
Do Cruise Ships Have Morgues Onboard? (Why & where?)
Cruise ships, essentially floating cities, carry thousands of passengers and crew members. Once the necessary arrangements are in order, they have authorities issue a death certificate and return the deceased to their home country. The cost of returning the deceased falls to the family, but travel insurance usually covers these expenses. Cruise ships are legally obligated to have a morgue because, on average, 200 people pass on cruise ships annually. The International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health (IJTMGH) conducted a study in 2020 that investigated the mortality rates of crew and passenger mortality on cruise ships.
Look Inside A Cruise Ship Morgue
Hospital beds, a small surgical suite, and ICU or isolation rooms are available if needed. So while not a pleasant topic, the morgue is an essential space for handling these situations with dignity if the tragedy of a passenger death occurs. Ship morgues are small sterile rooms with refrigerator units to store 1-2 bodies. They have stainless steel surfaces for easy cleaning and powerful ventilation.
You would likely be able to attend, but expect the service to happen at a discreet time and place, away from other guests. Cruise lines will also often employ dedicated staff to assist the on-board family of someone who has passed away. They are not usually trained counsellors, but they are available for support of administrative matters such as arranging the repatriation of the body and contacting a funeral home. While nobody wants to think about dying on vacation, it is the unfortunate truth that sometimes it happens.
What happens if a passenger dies while on a shore excursion?
Likewise, authorities in many small African and Asian ports with third-world infrastructures will often refuse to allow human remains off the ship. However, alternatives can be found, if necessary, such as when a ship won't be visiting a larger port anytime soon. Cruise ships have morgues, and body bags, and it would be a very exceptional case where more people passed away than the ship could accommodate. They would have backup plans in place that likely wouldn’t involve using food storage spaces. Overall, cruise ships are well-prepared to handle unfortunate situations and prioritize the well-being of their passengers, even in the event of a passenger’s death. Typically, ocean-going cruise ships have morgues that can accommodate three to four bodies.
However, as stated above, port authorities in any of the ports visited by the cruise have the right to require an examination of anyone who's died, as well as the off-loading of the body. When a passenger dies on a cruise ship, the family can’t request that the body is immediately buried at sea. Cruise ships don’t have the facilities to carry out the formalities of processing a body and providing a death certificate, which lists the cause of death. A body must always be stored until it can be disembarked at a suitable port for this service to be carried out.
They provide support and assistance to those affected, offering guidance and helping them navigate the necessary procedures and arrangements. 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. A study shows over 600 people died on cruise ships from 2000 to 2019. Inside the morgue, there are cold storage units or refrigerated drawers to preserve bodies until the ship reaches the next port. Access to the morgue is restricted only to authorized medical personnel and officers due to the sensitive nature. Most deaths are from natural causes, but the staff on board are trained to deal with all eventualities and will do everything they can to support the deceased’s family.
A source told The Telegraph that the ship's guests "were mostly British and took the sad news without emotion." They, along with local authorities, can help the family make a plan for the remains. They can also be a provisional conservator for the estate if no one else is available. A typical cruise morgue is able to hold at least three bodies, with an average capacity of three to six.
So, the key takeaway is that cruise lines prioritize the safety and well-being of their passengers, even in death. Around 200 people die on cruise ships annually, with most deaths caused by cardiac incidents. Ship morgues keep the deceased until an appropriate port, where they fly them home to their families. From the role of the ship’s crew to the options available for families, we’ll take a detailed look at how cruise ships handle this somber situation. As morbid as it may seem, death is a reality that can occur anywhere, even on a cruise ship.
Cruise ships can operate under the command of a computer — on autopilot — for a portion of the day, except when entering and exiting ports and during inclement weather. Cruise lines hire officers and crew for typical four- to six-month stints, depending on the position. Then they go home, and come back onboard – or get on another ship – after a two- to three-month break. Whether you have taken a dozen cruises or never stepped foot on a gangway, you may be surprised by some of the secrets hidden onboard. These facilities play a crucial role in preserving the dignity of the deceased, complying with legal requirements, and maintaining a sense of normalcy for passengers. Cruise ships are synonymous with luxury, entertainment, and exotic destinations.
While it may not be a thought for many passengers, for others, it can be a source of great comfort to know that the ship is prepared for any eventuality. Some ships, like Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class vessels, have a Deck 13 because the vessels are used mainly for the company’s market in Asia, where the number is not considered unlucky. MSC ships also have a Deck 13, but not a Deck 17, because the cruise line’s founder is Italian and 17 is considered unlucky in Italy. Support local journalism by subscribing to a Florida news organization. Royal Caribbean allows for 75 of 150 wedding guests to be non-sailing. NCL permits up to 10 non-sailing guests free of charge, but a reception must be booked if you have up to 50 guests who are not sailing.
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