Falling Ill on a Cruise - Check the Medical Facilities BEFORE you book!

No one wants to think about getting sick at sea, but it's like making a will, some things just need to be organized just in case - and being prepared for being ill at sea will make a huge difference as to how happy the outcome is.

In our article about medical safety at sea we discuss the precautions you need to take, and included in those is finding out about the medical facilities on board.

Well, there is good news about that if you happen to be traveling with Princess Cruises.

The Princess Cruises Medical Departments have once again been credited with meeting the quality health standards of an internationally recognized healthcare organization.

Following a comprehensive survey of both its shipboard and shoreside medical departments, Princess Cruises has achieved an industry first by being awarded accreditation and ISO 9001:2008 certification for quality in health care. These awards recognize the excellent standards of medical care provided on board Princess’ vessels.

CHKS accreditation was first awarded to Princess in 2006 and, following comprehensive annual external surveys of its medical facilities, staff and procedures, in 2009 was re-accredited for a further three years.

CHKS is a major UK based organization which works with public and private health care providers worldwide. They develop best practice standards and are accredited by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua), the leading international healthcare quality policy and research organization, as well as by the UK Accreditation Services (UKAS) to award certification to the standards of ISO 9001:2008.

Princess Cruises’ medical department offers one of the industry's most advanced sea-going medical programs, featuring a staff of qualified, full-time maritime professionals who work within well equipped facilities suited to the practice of medicine in a maritime environment.

Princess' medical program also meets or exceeds the cruise ship medical guidelines issued by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.