What is code Mike on a cruise ship?

Code Mike on a cruise ship is not a standard, internationally regulated code like Code Alpha or Code Bravo, but on many cruise lines, Code Mike is used internally to indicate a medical emergency or a passenger or crew member needing medical assistance. Cruise lines use coded announcements to alert crew without alarming passengers. While each cruise line has its own internal code system and they are not publicly disclosed for security reasons, common industry usage includes Code Alpha for medical emergency, Code Bravo for fire, Code Oscar for man overboard, and Code Mike often for medical. For example, on some Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships, a call for Code Mike to the medical center or Code Mike with a location means medical team should respond to that location. However, there is no universal standard, and some lines use Code Mike to mean something else entirely, such as a spill or maintenance issue, or use plain language. Because codes are deliberately kept confidential to avoid passenger panic, the exact meaning of Code Mike can vary by cruise line and even by ship. If you hear Code Mike announced, it generally means crew are being called to handle a situation, most often medical, but you do not need to take any action unless instructed by crew. If it were a serious emergency requiring passenger action, the captain would make a clear announcement in plain language rather than using a code.