Do Cruise Ships Have Morgues? Hidden Corners of the High Seas!

Table Of Content

• Are there any religious or cultural restrictions on the handling of a deceased passenger’s body?
• What is the Code for Death on a Cruise Ship?
• Cruise ship morgues have space for several bodies
• Search
• You’ll need to pass a medical
• Worldwide ocean cruises
• What Happens to The Body When Someone Dies on a Cruise Ship?

Factors include where the ship was at the time of death, the port being visited, and the ship’s Flag State (where the cruise ship is registered). Cruise Lines International Association states that the ship’s location and the visiting port contain requirements regarding off-loading a dead body. It may also preclude the cruise line from its ability to offload a dead body. It’s not surprising that many people die on cruise ships every year, as the elderly demographic make up a large percentage of passengers. While most deaths onboard cruise ships are from natural causes, there are occasional accidents, suicides, and murders.

Are there any religious or cultural restrictions on the handling of a deceased passenger’s body?

However, many do offer services that allow ashes to be scattered at sea. It varies by cruise line, but some offer dedicated ceremonies for this type of service. 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.

What is the Code for Death on a Cruise Ship?

The coded language allows cruise staff to respond promptly and discreetly without alarming other passengers, especially for sudden deaths that need to be handled with sensitivity. While clinical and somber in feel, the morgue allows bodies to be safely contained with proper respect until arrangements can be made at the next port. The morgue is typically about the size of a large walk-in closet or small bedroom — just large enough to hold one or two bodies at a time.

Cruise ship morgues have space for several bodies

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. Any death-related costs incurred should be covered by travel insurance but make sure any cover includes repatriation. The person filming opens the morgue door, and you can see the opening showing three layers to hold three bodies potentially.

On standard Caribbean sailings, remains are often kept in the cruise ship morgue until the vessel returns to the United States, where a death certificate can be issued by the local medical examiner's office. 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. Cruise ship morgues focus on preserving the body in a dignified manner until it can be off-loaded at the next port, where local medical examiner’s offices and funeral homes take over. There are no autopsies performed or complex examinations conducted on board; the cruise ship’s focus remains on respecting the deceased and supporting the accompanying passengers during such times.

You’ll need to pass a medical

Large cruise ships can have a population as large as an entire small town so it’s necessary that they are prepared for a passenger’s death – or deaths. It’s not uncommon for more than one passenger to pass away during a cruise. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and international regulations are the driving forces establishing the need for morgues on cruise ships.

Worldwide ocean cruises

We’ve all seen the pictures of icebergs and peaks reflected in glassy bays and sunset-pink skies. You may not see the sun for an entire week, which could impact activities, views and wildlife sightings. In February 2024, @ruinedvacation posted on TikTok that a cruise line had made a last-minute name change to its itinerary via its app. I’ve seen a hearse dockside on my last cruise, usually only see a line of ambulances waiting to take people off of the ship. When the florist has a fire sale, at least on HAL, someone has died.

People say they've been on their 'last cruise' after finding out about horrifying area people don't know about - LADbible

People say they've been on their 'last cruise' after finding out about horrifying area people don't know about.

Posted: Sat, 10 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Meanwhile, fellow cruisers continue their voyage, often unaware of the medical drama unfolding. As we’ve navigated the less-explored waters of cruising today, we’ve learned that, yes, cruise ships do indeed have morgues. While it’s a subject we might not often consider, it’s reassuring to know that cruise lines are prepared for all eventualities. If the ship’s itinerary includes long days at sea, like those crossing the vast expanses of the South Pacific, having a morgue becomes even more crucial. It ensures that the dead body is preserved appropriately, avoiding any additional distress to the deceased person’s travel companions and other passengers. It’s important to note that the specific procedures and policies can vary among cruise lines.

These are used when a passenger or crew member violates the cruise line’s policies severely or commits a crime onboard. It ensures the safety of others on the cruise until the ship docks at the next port, where port authorities typically take over the situation. 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 smaller ships may have small refrigerators that can accommodate one or two bodies, larger ships may have more spacious facilities.

Larger ships tend to have larger morgues, as they accommodate more passengers. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

The odds are overwhelmingly in your favor of returning home alive. Some of the tasks involved would be contacting a funeral home in the port city where the cruise ship will dock next and preparing things needed for the bodys repatriation. Like, really a lot.Surprised when a crew member knows your name right away, or how you take your tea?

The morgue is temperature-controlled and has refrigeration units to preserve the bodies of the deceased until they can transport back to shore. A morgue is a room or building where dead people’s bodies are kept before burial or cremation. This post goes over the process of dealing with a death on a cruise ship and what happens to the body after the cruise. Lines do what they can to limit the impact on passengers, but there is always the chance that your ship may have to return to the port of Ushuaia in Argentina, curtailing your trip. Antarctica, once off limits to all but research-station scientists, is becoming an increasingly popular cruise destination. Neither the consulate nor the cruise line pays for anything related to bringing a loved one home they only help the family make arrangements.

The captain will then pass orders for the next of kin to be contacted and arrangements for the body to be transported back to shore. Larger vessels may have space for up to 6 bodies, maybe more in some in cases, but to need the use of them all would be a rare occurrence. In December, the Antarctic Wildlife Health Network reported the first suspected case of avian influenza in Antarctica. In February, a case was reported at the Argentine research station Esperanza Base. When drilling down for itinerary detail, you’ll find that day-by-day detail is vague. Storms and katabatic winds can blow up in an instant; a sudden early-season temperature plunge can cause ice to reform and channels can become icebound overnight.

Ex-cruise ship worker reveals the macabre reason for throwing free icecream parties onboard - New Zealand Herald

Ex-cruise ship worker reveals the macabre reason for throwing free icecream parties onboard.

Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

It gets its name from the Interstate 95 highway running along the United States east coast. It’s a crew corridor that runs along almost the entire ship’s length, but it is not accessible to the passengers. Yes, cruise ships have medical facilities that can handle minor surgeries like wound suturing. Hospital beds, a small surgical suite, and ICU or isolation rooms are available if needed.

Typically, the morgues on cruise ships have space for three to six bodies, each stored in individual compartments. These spaces are crucial as they allow the crew members to maintain respect and dignity for the deceased person’s body until the ship reaches the next port. "Care Team members are trained to deal with grieving people, but they are not grief counselors," the Carnival spokesperson said. They'll drive the deceased person's travel companions to a hotel if they choose to disembark the ship and even stay with them until they can return home. The morgues on cruise ships are often located on the lowest deck and are equipped with stainless steel refrigeration units to maintain the body’s preservation. It is important to note that these morgues are always kept separate from areas where food is stored, ensuring proper hygiene and safety.

Given about 200 deaths annually among 20 million cruise passengers, the death rate is approximately 1 in 100,000 passengers. When able, the body will be unloaded from the ship in a discreet, respectful manner. It will then be transferred to a local funeral home or morgue chosen by the family. The ship’s medical staff will be called immediately to confirm the death and document the time and suspected cause.