When you're on a cruise, the last thing you want is to run out of your regular medication. But cruise ship medical centers aren't hospitals. They're infirmaries - small, busy, and stocked with only the most common drugs. If you need a prescription while at sea, you can't just walk in and expect them to have what you take every day. You need to plan ahead, know what they carry, and understand how much it will cost.
Big ships like those from Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line might have slightly more options than smaller ones. But even the largest vessels won't carry specialty drugs like biologics, cancer treatments, or controlled substances like opioids. Storylines, a residential cruise line, is an exception - they offer compounding and advanced pharmacy services, but only if you submit your prescriptions 6 to 12 months before sailing.
Some medications are free, though. Seasickness pills are often available at no cost, 24/7, because they’re so common. Many passengers say this saved their first day at sea. But don’t assume anything else is free. Even basic pain relievers may come with a fee if you’re not in an emergency situation.
Make sure the name on the bottle matches your passport exactly. If your prescription says "John Smith" but your passport says "Jonathan Smith," that’s a problem. Airlines and ports have strict rules about medications, and cruise ships follow the same standards. International ports can be especially strict - if you’re stopped in a foreign country and they find unlabeled pills, you could face serious trouble.
Experts recommend bringing at least 3 to 5 extra days’ worth of every medication. For longer trips (7+ days), bring a full 90-day supply. That way, even if you miss a port or your ship gets rerouted, you’re covered. One Reddit user shared how they ran out of blood pressure medicine after seven days because the next port’s pharmacy was closed due to a storm. They spent two days without their medication - and had to pay $120 for a replacement on the ship.
For CPAP machines, you’ll need distilled water and an extension cord. Storylines specifically warns that these aren’t provided onboard. Bring your own. Check with your cruise line ahead of time - some have power outlets near beds, others don’t.
Narcotics? Forget it. Even if you take oxycodone or hydrocodone for chronic pain, cruise lines will not refill them. Storylines says these are only available in "minimal quantities and prescribed only in emergency or extreme cases." That means if you’re in pain and need a refill, you’re likely out of luck. Plan ahead. Talk to your doctor about switching to a non-opioid option for the trip.
Most people who have issues with medications on cruises didn’t bring enough or didn’t bring them in labeled bottles. The data is clear: 78% of passengers who followed these rules reported no problems. Only 32% of those who didn’t had smooth sailing.
The cruise industry is changing. More ships now offer telemedicine. Some are expanding their pharmacy inventories. But the core truth hasn’t changed: cruise medical centers are not your doctor’s office. They’re there to stabilize you, not manage your chronic care.
Usually not. Cruise ship medical centers stock only common medications like antibiotics, pain relievers, and seasickness pills. They rarely carry specialty drugs like insulin, blood pressure meds, or thyroid medication. Always bring your own supply.
Yes. Most medications cost $25-$40 per dose - much more than at home. Seasickness pills are often free, but everything else comes with a fee. There’s no insurance coverage onboard.
No. Cruise lines require all medications to be in original, labeled bottles with your name and the pharmacy’s information. Pill organizers are not allowed - they can be confiscated at security.
Go to the medical center. They may have a substitute or can prescribe something similar. Some ships now offer telemedicine to connect with shore-based doctors. But if they don’t have your drug, you’re out of options until the next port.
No, not for routine use. Narcotics like oxycodone or hydrocodone are only available in minimal amounts and only for true emergencies. Don’t expect refills. Plan ahead with your doctor before you sail.
Bring at least 3 to 5 extra days’ worth. For trips longer than a week, bring a full 90-day supply. Delays are common, and ports may be closed due to weather or scheduling changes.
Yes. Always carry a doctor’s note explaining your condition and dosage, especially for insulin, CPAP machines, or other medical devices. Some cruise lines require this even if you have labeled bottles.
No. Most medical centers operate from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. with emergency coverage only. If you need a prescription after hours, you’ll have to wait until the next day unless it’s a life-threatening emergency.
13 Responses
On my first cruise, I brought all my meds in pill organizers because it was easier. Learned the hard way when they got confiscated in Barcelona. Had to pay $80 for a single day's supply of my blood pressure pill. Never again. Bring the bottles. Always.
For anyone taking insulin: bring twice what you think you need. I once had a delay in the Caribbean because of weather. The ship had insulin, but only in vials - no pens. My pens were the only ones I knew how to use. I ended up using syringes and had to relearn everything. Don't let that be you.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE bring your meds in original bottles!!! I saw a woman get denied boarding in Miami because her thyroid pills were in a Ziploc bag. She cried. She begged. They didn’t budge. It’s not a suggestion-it’s a rule. And yes, your name must match your passport. No nicknames. No abbreviations. No exceptions.
My dad’s CPAP machine broke mid-Atlantic. No one on the ship had a replacement. We had to call the cruise line’s emergency line, and they arranged a FedEx delivery to the next port-three days later. He slept sitting up for 72 hours. Bring spare parts. Bring extra filters. Bring your own distilled water. Don’t assume they’ll have it. They won’t.
wait so i can’t bring my adderall? i thought it was just like any other med? also what if my bottle says john but my passport says johnny? is that a problem? i’ve had that for 10 years
While I appreciate the practical advice, I must emphasize that this is a global issue. Many international travelers assume cruise medical centers operate like pharmacies on land. In reality, they’re bound by maritime law, port country regulations, and insurance limitations. A medication legal in the U.S. may be controlled in the Bahamas or the Mediterranean. Always check with the cruise line and the destination countries. Your safety isn’t just about packing-it’s about understanding jurisdiction.
So let me get this straight-you’re telling me that if I’m on a cruise and need my antidepressant, I’m just supposed to suffer because the ship doesn’t carry it? And if I run out? Tough luck? Meanwhile, they hand out free seasickness pills like candy. This isn’t healthcare-it’s a luxury business that treats chronic illness like an inconvenience. I’m not surprised. But I’m also not going to pretend it’s fair.
Pro tip: if you're on biologics (like Humira or Enbrel), email the cruise line 90+ days out. Some lines (looking at you, Celebrity) have partnered with specialty pharmacies to ship vials directly to the ship. You’ll need a doctor’s letter, a prescription, and a cold chain shipping plan. It’s a pain, but it’s possible. Don’t wing it. This isn’t 2010 anymore-some cruise lines are finally catching up.
Wow, someone actually wrote a whole article about bringing pills? What a shocker. Next up: ‘How to Remember to Wear Pants on a Cruise.’
People these days think a cruise is a vacation where they can just wing it like they’re at a resort. Newsflash: you’re on a floating city with 5,000 people and a medical team that’s not even a real hospital. If you’re on insulin, you’re not on vacation-you’re on a ticking time bomb. And if you think you can just bring your meds in a plastic bag? You’re not just irresponsible-you’re a danger to everyone else on board. Stop being lazy. Plan ahead. Or don’t go.
It is of paramount importance to underscore that the legal frameworks governing pharmaceuticals aboard vessels in international waters are governed by the flag state’s regulations, as well as the maritime jurisdiction of each port of call. While the ship’s infirmary may possess a limited formulary, the absence of a specific agent does not constitute negligence-it reflects the operational constraints of a mobile medical facility under the International Maritime Organization guidelines. Therefore, proactive preparation is not merely advisable-it is a contractual and ethical obligation of the passenger.
Oh wow, so now we’re babysitting adults who can’t read a pill bottle? Next you’ll tell me to pack their diapers and feed them with a spoon. If you can’t manage your own meds, maybe you shouldn’t be allowed on a cruise. Or a plane. Or a car. Basic life skills, people. It’s 2025.
Rebecca Price, you’re not wrong-but let’s be real: the system’s broken. I’m a nurse, and I’ve worked on two cruises. The medical staff are incredible, but they’re underfunded, understaffed, and legally restricted. They can’t refill your antidepressants, but they’ll give you a free Dramamine. That’s not healthcare-that’s damage control. The industry profits from your health, then refuses to support it. It’s gross.