Medical Staff

[wrmwthrgrl]

Has anyone ever had to go to the Dr. or medical staff onboard before? If so, was it a good experience? Did you feel that their level of expertise was good? My husband and I are scheduled for the Splendor leaving on 1/17 and I have a recently diagnosed medical issue. It is not bad enough to cancel the cruise, but I would definitely feel more comfortable knowing that there is good medical staff on board "just in case". :eek:

 

Thanks for your input!

[cjackso8]

i've never had a personal experiance with the medical staff, but I know their standards are very High. I'm a nurse and decided to check out carnivals process for hiring new staff. Nurses must have at least 3 years of ICU experience before they will even consider you. You have to be pretty darn good to make it in an ICU for that long. I'm sure their doctors are held to the same standards, and you will be just fine. Now, if it is something that requires a lot of equipment, or is very specific, I would rethink cruising. They aren't really set up to be a full blown hospital, but if a bit of help is all you need, I'm sure you'll be just fine.

[firefly333]

I think it would very much depend on the medical condition if they can treat it or not. The staff and resources to me are quite limited. If you fall and break a bone they can help, but I wouldnt count on anything very specialized.

[5waldos]

But they have the discretion to put you off the ship at the next available stop if they feel that whatever is going on is more than they can handle. They are not interested in having any serious problems on board.

[uppitycats]

Has anyone ever had to go to the Dr. or medical staff onboard before? If so, was it a good experience? Did you feel that their level of expertise was good? My husband and I are scheduled for the Splendor leaving on 1/17 and I have a recently diagnosed medical issue. It is not bad enough to cancel the cruise, but I would definitely feel more comfortable knowing that there is good medical staff on board "just in case". :eek:

 

Thanks for your input!

 

To me, the onboard clinic is better than a first-aid station, but certainly not a fully equipped hospital.

 

I consider the medical staff on board to be as good as you might find in an "urgent care" center..one of those walk-in places where they examine you, give you a tentative diagnosis, and...depending on the issue, are either able to bandage you up, give you a dose of common meds, or

 

decide that what is wrong requires more extensive and professional care, so send you to a specialist. Sometimes this might mean a doctor in the next port, or if it's REALLY serious, then arrange to evacuate you off the ship and send you to the nearest hospital, or a hospital near your home.

 

If it's something minor, some of the ships do have a small area where they can keep you contained, or quarantine you to your cabin (which they do for things like norovirus, or the flu).

 

So "just in case" -- you should make sure you have your doctor's name, specialty (if any), how to reach her (or him), and if you're really concerned that you might become ill, a clear description of your diagnosis, possible treatment options, etc.

 

I have a chronic health condition myself and am always careful to make sure I have this sort of information with me whenever I cruise.

[Benge]

I had an elderly friend that used the medical dept. on board for a bad cold that turned into pneumonia by mid week on a 7 day cruise, the nurse and Dr. were both very good . They treated him daily with medication and called every morning to check on him. He did not miss out on much as they had him feeling better. By the time the cruise was over he was feeling quite well . He paid out of pocket for the treatments and turned his bills in for nearly full refund of the costs from his insurance co. I would not hesitate to seek thier help if needed.

[wrmwthrgrl]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I was diagnosed with Crohns and I am ok, but just want to be sure that there is someone I can go to in case I need something. I plan on bringing all my meds, etc., but it is just that comfort level of knowing that there is someone there.

 

Appreciate the insight!! :)

[LemurCat]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I was diagnosed with Crohns and I am ok, but just want to be sure that there is someone I can go to in case I need something. I plan on bringing all my meds, etc., but it is just that comfort level of knowing that there is someone there.

 

Appreciate the insight!! :)

 

Talk to your doctor about getting a script for prescription strength Immodium. You do not want to go to the Medical Clinic for it. They'll quarantine you just as a precaution. Also consider talking to your doctor about an emergancy prednisone pack just in case you flare up. And lastly, watch your diet. As long as your Crohn's is under control, you should be fine.

[jayesouthworth]

Has anyone ever had to go to the Dr. or medical staff onboard before? If so, was it a good experience? Did you feel that their level of expertise was good? My husband and I are scheduled for the Splendor leaving on 1/17 and I have a recently diagnosed medical issue. It is not bad enough to cancel the cruise, but I would definitely feel more comfortable knowing that there is good medical staff on board "just in case". :eek:

 

Thanks for your input!

 

I think it all depends on what your medical problem is. If it's kidney dialysis the answer is no. If it's something routine like an ear ache, spranged ankles or arms, they can handle that with some care. DH saw a doctor on board the Elation, he had an inner and outer ear infection, and they gave him antibiotics and some pain medication. I forget what the bill was, but it was cheap and the doctor and nurses were competent and professional. We didn't even turn it into our insurance company it was so reasonably priced.

 

If it's something that takes some expertise for your situation, I would ask your doctor first about cruising.

[MamaParrotHead]

My son had a food allergy scare and the medical personnel we worked with were very friendly, calming and seemed quite knowledgeable. The follow up afterward was also impressive. Pending your own personal doctor's release to travel, I'd feel confident.

[wizard-of-roz]

Talk to your doctor about getting a script for prescription strength Immodium. You do not want to go to the Medical Clinic for it. They'll quarantine you just as a precaution. Also consider talking to your doctor about an emergancy prednisone pack just in case you flare up. And lastly, watch your diet. As long as your Crohn's is under control, you should be fine.

 

I, too, have Crohn's and all of the above suggestions are excellent.

You MUST watch the foods you're eating. Depending on the theme of the day, there can be a lot of spices, salads and extra herbs that can trigger an attack. You know what your "triggers" are, if you have any questions about what is in the food you're eating the staff in all the food areas are very helpful in telling you about the ingredients.

Be careful about visiting the doctor onboard; as was stated, if they have any inclination that you might be contagious they won't hesitate to quarantine you to your cabin [not a pleasant way to spend a cruise vacation] but, they have to be very careful not to spread Noro! They may not believe you about your diagnosis......it wouldn't hurt to have a note from your doctor stating that you have Crohn's and are NOT contagious and are fit for travel!

Once you've had Crohn's for many, many years, what you eat and at what time you eat it will be second nature to you.

Have a wonderful cruise!

[Boatsie]

I slipped and fell during a portcall. My ankle was swollen and purple and hurt like hell. The doctor on board "diagnosied" it as a bad sprain--"didn't require an xray," he said; wrapped it in an ace bandage, gave me aspirin and said I should walk on it. Two days later, the day before debarkation, still swollen, purple and hurting he again said it was just a sprain, albeit a bad one.

 

Went to my doctor when I returned home--xray showed I had a broken ankle--oh, well.

 

The doctor and nurse were real nice people though.

 

.

[recyclelady]

I was on a cruise in Alaska back in 2003 when I became very sick with something. It felt like I could never wake up and when I WAS awake,I was sick to my stomach.

 

The doctor onboard seemed very competent but realized I was more ill than he could deal with. He also said that I needed some blood tests that he was not equipped to perform.

 

When we got to Juneau, he notified the Juneau ER that I was coming in and set up everything for us. I was VERY grateful to have him in our corner.

 

Long story short.....I had West Nile virus (contracted before I left Illinois) and had to fly home mid-cruise and spend about 5 glorious days in the hospital back in Illinois.

 

I sent a letter to the cruiseline after this ordeal thanking the ship and its staff for the help they gave us during this time.

 

(Oh yeah......and I had travel insurance and ALWAYS have insurance everytime I cruise.)

[Kurbanfan]

I slipped and fell during a portcall. My ankle was swollen and purple and hurt like hell. The doctor on board "diagnosied" it as a bad sprain--"didn't require an xray," he said; wrapped it in an ace bandage, gave me aspirin and said I should walk on it. Two days later, the day before debarkation, still swollen, purple and hurting he again said it was just a sprain, albeit a bad one.

 

Went to my doctor when I returned home--xray showed I had a broken ankle--oh, well.

 

The doctor and nurse were real nice people though.

 

.

 

Regardless of sprain or fracture.........that was a stupid call.......

[Boatsie]

Regardless of sprain or fracture.........that was a stupid call.......

 

I thought so too.

 

.

[kf657]

i've never had a personal experiance with the medical staff, but I know their standards are very High. I'm a nurse and decided to check out carnivals process for hiring new staff. Nurses must have at least 3 years of ICU experience before they will even consider you. You have to be pretty darn good to make it in an ICU for that long. I'm sure their doctors are held to the same standards, and you will be just fine. Now, if it is something that requires a lot of equipment, or is very specific, I would rethink cruising. They aren't really set up to be a full blown hospital, but if a bit of help is all you need, I'm sure you'll be just fine.

 

We did have a reason to see the Doctor on the ship- Sons first Pink Eye and Hubby's cold. My husband is a Nurse and was very impressed with the medical service-AND my insurance paid the whole bill when I submitted it!

[T. Advisor King]

I, too, have Crohn's and all of the above suggestions are excellent.

 

You MUST watch the foods you're eating. Depending on the theme of the day, there can be a lot of spices, salads and extra herbs that can trigger an attack. You know what your "triggers" are, if you have any questions about what is in the food you're eating the staff in all the food areas are very helpful in telling you about the ingredients.

 

Be careful about visiting the doctor onboard; as was stated, if they have any inclination that you might be contagious they won't hesitate to quarantine you to your cabin [not a pleasant way to spend a cruise vacation] but, they have to be very careful not to spread Noro! They may not believe you about your diagnosis......it wouldn't hurt to have a note from your doctor stating that you have Crohn's and are NOT contagious and are fit for travel!

 

Once you've had Crohn's for many, many years, what you eat and at what time you eat it will be second nature to you.

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

 

Wizard and Lemur both made the same point and I'll make it again for emphasis. There was a thread a few months ago about what goes wrong if you seek medical help on board. They will quarantine you without a second thought. They won't care what pre-existing condition you can document. I wish I could find the previous posting about this. But the treatment of the passenger described was unbelievable. Obviously if you are violently ill, you want to get treatment. But the obvious conclusion from the previous posting is that you're better to suffer on your own with something you can handle than try to get help from the medical staff. The earlier postings were mostly about illness and digestive-type conditions, not about broken legs or heart attacks, so obviously the decision to seek treatment depends on the situation.

[10XCRUISE]

6 months ago on the Pride I visited the infirmary for a fainting spell. I found the staff to be very attentive and professional. But...

 

The doctor overreacted and was preparing to have me air lifted off the ship 1 day into the cruise. Why? Seems he misread the EKG:( 2 months previously I had a full physical and I knew I was in the best of health.

 

So I stayed on the ship ( against the Dr's orders ) went home and visited a hospital for a stress test and Lo and behold.....And I'm still in the best of health.

 

The Carnival doctor, as kind and caring as he was , was too quick to pull the trigger to get me off his ship.

 

I got a nice $500 souvenir bill from Carnival (equalling my insurance deductible). Would rather had a ship on a stick

[tk22]

I got very sick and running a high fever on the Conqest in May of 2008 and turned out to be a kidney infection; I am also a diabetic. The physician and healthcare personnel on board were wonderful.

 

Blood tests were ran, an IV was started and I stayed in the clinic for several hours while the IV ran. They left the IV port in and I went back the next morning for more IV antibiotics. I was given additional by mouth medication also.

 

My bill was close to $800, but when I got home I called my insurance company and they said to send them copies of the records and file a claim. I called Carnival and I promptly was faxed my medical records and after filing, I received 100% compensation.

 

I, for one, was very impressed with the care I received on the ship and my praises go to the very competent medical personnel who treated me medically, as well as with kindness and caring.