Doctor who has lived on cruise ships for 20 years explains what happens when someone dies at sea

A doctor who has worked on cruise ships for 20 years has revealed what happens when a passenger or crew member dies while on the open seas.

Going on holiday is something we all look forward to. From a week by the beach and pool on an all inclusive to a quick weekend city break and everything in between, getting away is a great way to escape the pressures of modern life and reality as we know it.

For many, that means packing a bag and getting on a cruise ship.

The massive billion dollar vessels are loved by millions every single year. But as with any holiday, people tragically lose their lives while enjoying some down time.

Obviously there is a big question here. Given the ship could be in the middle of, say, the Atlantic Ocean, what happens when someone dies?

Being a cruise ship doctor

Dr Aleksandar Durovic has worked, and lived, on cruise ships for two decades due to his profession.

Life on the ships is very different to dry land, according to the man himself who spoke to CNN Travel about all things cruise ships.

"It’s a job full of stress and responsibility. The medical side can be very demanding," Dr Durovic said.

"Most of what we do on big cruise ships is emergency services, like in an ER. But we are also general practitioners for crew, and take care of chronic medical needs."

Most cruise ships have morgues (Getty Stock Image)

What happens when someone dies on a cruise ship?

Most cruise ships - and ships in general - are now built to have a place for dead bodies in the instance of someone passing away while at sea.

The first thing that happens on a cruise ship is that the medical team will inform the captain about the death.

On top of this, medical teams on dry land will also be told about what has happened on the cruise ship. For companies that have set sail from the USA, with many travelling from and to Miami, this will be the US Coastguard as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Dr Durovic explained: "They decide what to do. Sometimes medical examiners will come onboard, and take the body for an autopsy. It depends case by case."

The body is usually taken off of the cruise ship at its next port of call (Getty Stock Image)

Is there police involvement? And what happens to the body?

Usually that is the case, yes. After someone dies on a cruise ship, police will often come on board at the next port of all to interview the doctors who dealt with the deceased person.

In Dr Durovic's experience, though, no death on a cruise ship has ever come with an element of suspicion.

The body is usually taken off of the cruise ship at the next port with rules saying a ship cannot set sail once moored with a corpse on board. From there, it is about the logistics of getting them back to where they call home, which can be stressful and expensive.

"Obviously the doctor pronounces the death, but for most medical teams, the person is given some respect. There’s a moment of silence before the body is prepared," the doctor said.

The welfare and wellbeing of relatives or loved ones of the deceased becomes the cruise ship's priority, with staff doing their best to help arrange flights home. For those staying, counselling might be available.