Why you should always bring your own OTC pain killer on a cruise

It can happen to anyone, pain. Be it from a headache, cramps, a stopped toe or a host of other things.

However, obtaining pain killer can be harder than it seems on board a ship.

Some ships do not carry pain medication in their on-board shops. Depending on where you're sailing from/to the next port you stop in might be a few days away and the types of pain killer they carry might not be one that works for you, or worse yet contain something you might have a severe reaction to.

If you have to go to medical services on the cruise ship for pain killers not only will it cost a lot more, but you might not have access to it, if the medical center isn't open when you need it.

This happened to me. When on a transatlantic crossing with Norwegian Cruise Line where unfortunately the two stops planned were cancelled. I needed a pain killer for severe menstrual cramps. Though I'd brought some along with me, I hadn't anticipated the need for more than a few packets.

I went to their on-board shop which didn't carry it, and when I went to the medical center I was told that no one could help me at that time (despite me begging for help). Thankfully I headed back to my cabin where I desperately did another search and found another small packet of acetaminophen.

It was a lesson learned and I keep in mind the need to bring a few more packets than less if I'm going on a trip where I won't have access to a pharmacy within a few hours.

So the pro-cruiser tip today is to bring the over the counter pain medication that works for you, and enough to last the full voyage if necessary.