CarenNH

This is really great info! Thanks! I would never have thought to look up how many other ships are in the ports at the same time, and how that might affect things. And I wasn’t aware of the port damage. That’s exactly why I’m trying to do my homework on this. 
 

I knew Grand Cayman was a tender port, as I’ve been there before. 
 

I just received a reply to my inquiry to the clinic in Grand Cayman. They have space available at noon, which I guess should give me plenty of time to get there but probably not enough time to really do a full treatment and get back for re-embarkation. 
 

Regarding Jamaica, I haven’t heard back from the clinic yet. I’ll investigate the possibilities near the other ports you mentioned as backups. 
 

im going to discuss with my doctor how bad it would really be to just get dialysis in Ft Lauderdale the day before and after. 

Has anyone here received hemodialysis while in port in either Ocho Rios, Jamaica, or Georgetown, Grand Cayman?

Backstory: I currently get hemodialysis (via fistula) at a local Fresenius clinic 3 days a week. I’m considering a 7 day Caribbean cruise on Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam in December. HAL doesn’t offer dialysis on board or work with Dialysis at Sea. 
 

I’d most likely be traveling solo, and am in a wheelchair. I would be renting a scooter on board. 
 

My tentative plan is to fly down Friday morning, and get dialysis in the afternoon at a Fresenius clinic in Ft Lauderdale.  Then I’d stay over and embark on Saturday. 

The itinerary lists a stop in Ocho Rios, Jamaica on Tuesday from 8:00 am to 4:00. I understand that the actual time passengers are allowed off the ship will be shorter than that. Then we’re scheduled to stop in Georgetown, Grand Cayman on Wednesday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. 
 

Theoretically I could do dialysis either or both days if it’s feasible. I know insurance won’t cover it so I’ll have to pay privately, plus arrange the transportation to and from the port to the clinic. 
 

Then I would get another treatment back in Ft Lauderdale on Saturday afternoon after we disembark, and fly home Sunday. 
 

My doctor says schedule-wise it’s doable. Any thoughts? 
 

Thanks all for the reassurances. I'm no longer concerned about this. :-)

What ship did you cruise on that had windows that could open????

 

Call ship's services and request a fan for your cabin. It should be in there when you board. If not, ask your steward.

I meant having the balcony door open for fresh air (but not overnight). :-)

I didn't know they had fans available for request. I was looking at bringing a portable folding one. Thanks for the suggestion!

We are sailing on the Nieuw Amsterdam on Nov 13, 2016 (Western Car. out of Ft Laud). We've always ever had Verandah cabins but decided to save some cash and book an inside cabin this time. We prefer to keep the temperature quite low in our room, especially at night. Will we have trouble keeping it cooler without a window to open? Or is the A/C fairly robust?

Oops -- that should have read November of 2016. :-)

My husband and I will be sailing on the Nieuw Amsterdam, in November 2013. We decided to save a bit by booking an inside cabin, and using the extra money for shore excursions, etc. We have sailed once on HAL waaaaay back in 1997 and once on Carnival a couple of years ago. We'll be celebtrating my 50th birthday. :-) So a couple of questions:

1) Are bathrobes provided in all cabins, or only those above a certain grade of stateroom? If they are provided, does anyone know if it is possible to request a larger size than the standard?

2) Regarding earning extra mariner days with on board purchases, if I purcase OBC ahead of time, are purchases made with that credit still counted toward this?

3) I saw mention earlier in this thread about Carnival stockholders getting some OBC. Is this still true?

Thanks for all your help. This thread is really great!