Monday, April 1, 2024

Cruise Ship Morgues: Where Do Passengers Go When They Die? Cruise Tips For Families & Single Cruisers

do cruise ships have morgues

In the case of a death on board, the cruise ship secret code is “operation rising star” which discreetly alerts crew members that a passenger has passed away. The death of a passenger will need reporting to the relevant local authorities. The U.S Centers for  Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will also need to be informed when the cruise ship is at a US homeport. On a ship, the morgue will be relatively small and just large enough to serve the purpose of holding up to 3 to 6  bodies in cool refrigerated compartments made fro stainless steel. A “fit to travel” medical form requires a signature from a GP, and most charge for this service.

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These are the questions that pop into your head while you're in the shower getting ready for work, chatting over drinks with friends or lying awake in bed at night pondering the meaning of life. Typically, ocean-going cruise ships have morgues that can accommodate three to four bodies. It's true that major cruise lines have morgues on board, and that's for good reason.

What Happens To The Bodies In A Cruise Ship Morgue?

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They provide support and assistance to those affected, offering guidance and helping them navigate the necessary procedures and arrangements. However, it’s essential to be informed about the procedures and facilities available, such as the presence of a cruise ship morgue. While planning your dream vacation on a luxurious cruise ship, the last thing on your mind is probably what happens in the unfortunate event of a death onboard. When scattering ashes on a cruise, there are some ceremony regulations and ash scattering restrictions to consider.

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In most cases, a morgue’s located in a hospital, but on a cruise ship, the morgue is typically located at the bottom of the ship, on the lower decks, and away from passengers. When you think some of the largest cruise ships have a capacity of 4000 to 6000 passengers, many of them in their older years, it’s no surprise there are deaths. By law, cruise ships must have body bags and a morgue on board in case of death on the journey. Death on a cruise – it happens more often than you might expect and it’s a grizzly fact that most cruise ships have morgues.

Ranker lists the story of Dianne Brimble as one of the most horrific crimes to happen on a cruise ship. In September 2002, paramedics were called to a cabin that belonged to four men on a P& O cruise ship bound for Noumea and other Pacific ports of call. Brimble was unconscious on the bathroom floor and in her own excretion. She was pronounced dead 30 minutes later, due to alcohol and drug overdose.

In most cases, your regular medical insurance will not cover the cost of onboard treatment, treatment abroad or medevac services, so you could be stuck paying for all of it out of pocket. That’s why it’s crucial to purchase travel insurance that covers these things, particularly if you’re of a certain age or have chronic medical conditions. Crew members don’t just work hard — they often work every day.Many crew members work seven days a week during the time they’re onboard, and for more hours a day than the typical American works. They’re traveling around the world, but they don’t often get time to see the ports.

do cruise ships have morgues

Cruise ship morgues are big enough to accommodate three to four deceased, which varies between smaller and larger ships. When they need more space in the morgue, they also use freezers. Falls include both accidental falls and intentional jumps, which could be suicides or homicides. Cardiac incidents only include deaths on board the ship and not those after being transferred to a hospital or a shore facility. Therefore, the actual number of cardiovascular deaths is higher than reported.

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But even when death is not entirely unexpected, such as when someone with advanced-staged cancer chooses to cruise, it’s shocking to family and friends, whether they’re on the cruise ship or on land. While cruise ships are generally a haven of relaxation and fun, there have been rare and isolated incidents of serious crimes, including murder, occurring onboard. These unfortunate instances are diligently handled by the cruise lines and relevant authorities, ensuring the safety and well-being of the other passengers and crew members during the voyage. However, the cost of this will fall on the family of the person who has passed away, so it's always a good idea to purchase a travel insurance policy that covers repatriation.

Typically a cruise ship morgue has enough space for three bodies. The onboard team is equipped to assist the deceased's travel companions with things like emotional support, notification of family members, and arrangements for early disembarkation and repatriation. There are even some who stay with the family until they get back home. Not only that, but this member also does a post-cruise follow-up with the family to make sure that they are alright.

For example, if someone passes away in the South Pacific, the body tends to remain in the morgue until it returns to a major port, as few islands can handle repatriation. Authorities in third-world infrastructures can refuse to allow the remains off a ship. 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. When someone dies on a cruise ship, the ship’s doctor will pronounce the person dead and then notify the cruise captain of the death. In rare instances on small vessels with fewer morgue spaces, there have been reports of bodies stored in the ship’s large freezers or refrigerators, depending on the available cooling options.

I may sound morbid, but yesterday just went to the funeral of a friend who died far too young. Cruise ships are like mini-cities; it makes sense that they have a variety of services -- from exciting and innovative venues to practical facilities like jails and morgues. In the event of a passenger’s death on board, the body is placed in the onboard morgue until the ship reaches a suitable port. The cruise line informs the next of kin if they’re not sailing with the passenger, and funeral arrangements are the responsibility of the family. It’s worth noting that some ports refuse to accept a body, which means it may remain on the ship for up to a week.

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