When Travel Plans Take a Turn: Breaking My Ankle in La Paz, Mexico
If you’ve ever imagined what it’s like to deal with a medical emergency while cruising, let me tell you — it’s an experience you’ll never forget. During a recent cruise through Mexico on the Emerald Princess, I learned firsthand how quickly a vacation can change course when I broke my ankle in port.
We had docked in La Paz, Mexico, a sunny and colorful destination I’d been looking forward to exploring. While walking along a curb-lined street, I missed a step and twisted my ankle badly. That one misstep sent a jolt of pain so sharp I instantly knew something wasn’t right. However, thinking it was just a bad sprain, I pressed on and ended up walking on it for nearly two hours before getting back to the ship.
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The Moment Everything Changed
We eventually stopped at a local restaurant, where I asked for a bag of ice. The staff kindly obliged, and I sat there trying to gather myself while icing the ankle. The cold did help — at least enough to make the pain somewhat bearable until it was time to hobble back to meet the shuttle returning to the port.
That walk back was slow, painful, and humbling. Every step felt like a small victory. I told myself that once we were back on the ship, I’d finally get it checked out — and I’m so glad I did. I never imagined that I would break my ankle while traveling.
What to Expect from Medical Care on a Cruise Ship
When we were back onboard, I called the ship’s medical center right away. Within minutes, a staff member arrived with a wheelchair and escorted me down to the medical facility. I was impressed with how smoothly everything ran — it truly felt like visiting a doctor’s office on land.
After filling out some paperwork and giving my medical history, the onboard doctor examined my ankle and ordered X-rays. The results confirmed my suspicion: I hadn’t just sprained it — I had fractured my fibula.
Hearing the word “fracture” on vacation was definitely not part of my travel plan, but I couldn’t have been more grateful for the professional onboard medical team. They treated me promptly, fitted me with a medical boot (air cast), and instructed me to stay completely non-weight-bearing for the rest of the trip.
This was the moment I silently thanked myself for always purchasing travel insurance for cruises. It truly saved me a lot of stress knowing that my medical costs, follow-up care, and potential changes to the itinerary would be covered.
If you take away one thing from this story, let it be this: never travel without trip insurance, especially when cruising internationally.
You might also like to learn about Cruise Ship Safety
You might be wondering whether Cruise Ship Medical Care is safe. Yes, actually, the cruise ship medical center is fully equipped with the most modern equipment that small emergency departments on land have. You also might be wondering if the care you get is expensive. I found that the price of the care I got was probably less than I would have been charged if I had gone to an Urgent Care Center in my hometown. Our entire bill, including renting a wheelchair, boot, walking stick, three different X-rays, and being seen by the doctor as urgent, was under $1000. I’ll be submitting the costs to my travel insurance company for reimbursement.
Life on a Cruise Ship with a Broken Ankle
Once I had my boot and wheelchair, it was time to adjust. I rented a wheelchair for the remainder of the trip and relied on a walking stick for shorter distances. The cruise crew was incredible — every single person went above and beyond to ensure I was comfortable, from helping me with daily logistics to checking in periodically to see if I needed assistance.
Even many fellow passengers were kind and understanding, holding doors or letting me pass. Of course, there were a few moments when others rushed to elevators ahead of us, but overall, everyone’s helpfulness made a tough situation a little easier.
The hardest part came a few days later when we learned we’d have to miss the next port, Loreto, because it was a tender port — meaning small boats transported passengers from the ship to shore — and these didn’t have wheelchair access. I was disappointed, but I decided to see the silver lining: one more reason to come back to Loreto in the future when I can explore on both feet.
Even with my injury, I made it a point to keep my cruise spirit alive. Each evening, I dressed up in my favorite cruise outfits, including formal nights. My ankle might have been broken, but I still wanted to enjoy the experience as much as I could.
Preparing for Recovery Before Returning Home
Knowing my recovery was going to take time, I planned before we even disembarked. While relaxing in our cabin, I ordered a knee scooter and reusable ice packs from Amazon so they would be waiting for me when I got home. It was one of the best decisions I made — having those items ready made recovery much smoother.
After returning to Arizona, I followed up with an orthopedic specialist. More X-rays confirmed that I didn’t need surgery (thankfully!), just plenty of rest and patience. I’ve since been working on filing my claim with our travel insurance provider, submitting the required medical paperwork from the ship’s doctor. My Ortho team wasn’t really surprised when I told them that I injured myself on my cruise vacation to Mexico. He stated that a few patients come into his office each month after vacation accidents.
Lessons Learned from a Travel Injury
While no one hopes to experience an accident while traveling, I walked — or rather, rolled — away from this situation with greater appreciation for preparation, compassion, and resilience. Here are some takeaways for anyone planning a cruise or international getaway:
- Always buy travel insurance. Whether it’s a sprain, lost luggage, or a canceled flight, insurance is worth every penny for peace of mind.
- Don’t tough it out when injured. Seek help from the ship’s medical team right away. They’re equipped, professional, and ready to assist.
- Keep basic first-aid supplies handy. A reusable ice pack, compression wrap, or small pain reliever can make a big difference in those first moments.
- Plan accessibility when needed. If mobility becomes limited, the ship staff can help with arranging wheelchairs or alternative accommodations.
Stay positive. A change in plans doesn’t mean the trip is ruined — sometimes, setbacks lead to new perspectives and unexpected memories.
Final Thoughts: Reflections on Resilience and Gratitude
Breaking my ankle in La Paz wasn’t the travel memory I expected, but it reminded me how adaptable travelers can be when life throws a curveball. My cruise experience shifted from sightseeing and excursions to healing, slowing down, and bonding with the incredible crew and passengers who offered kindness along the way.
Travel isn’t always perfect — sometimes it’s unpredictable and challenging. But those are often the stories that stay with us long after the trip ends. I’ll be returning to Loreto one day, and when I do, it’ll be with a healed ankle and a deeper appreciation for every step of the journey.
For now, I’m counting this as a lesson learned: be prepared, stay flexible, and remember that even when things don’t go as planned, there’s always something to be grateful for.
I already stock KT Tape in my Cruise Emergency Kit. Maybe I should add an Ace Bandage too!
Links to products for Ankle/Bone Support
Here are the links to the items that I found useful after breaking my ankle.
- WHLIKS knee scooter https://amzn.to/4a6jsWg
- Vive All-terrain knee scooter: https://amzn.to/4bJ2e2u
- Ice pack https://amzn.to/4r8Mw5s
- Bodyprox ankle support brace: https://amzn.to/4r4IECp
- Charmking Open Toe Compression Socks (Size L-XL): https://amzn.to/3Zp9Lfm
- Vit K2 D3: https://amzn.to/3MvH39F
- Boiron Symphytum Officinale 30C Homeopathic Medicine for Bone Trauma: https://amzn.to/4kxl3rK
