Terrible embarkation on Gem last week

[kristy29]

Sorry to hear of your experiences.

 

I guess what it means, getting to the port so early isn’t a good idea. The probability of getting on board early is very low.....even IF the ship docks on schedule, it will still take awhile for the passengers to disembark and new passengers to embark. Just curious, what was the recommended time for embarkation that was on your ticket.

 

That said, I’ve never heard of a boarding time anywhere near that early.

 

Not sure what the solution is for diabetes. What did your Dr recommend you do when traveling?

 

Just a quick check online showed 26 places to get food around the port, for future reference.

 

Happy to hear the cruise went well![/quotes]

 

26 places to eat outside the port ... once inside there was only one place to eat, a crappy little vender with no diet drinks and ran out of food

 

 

Yes and don't forget once I went through the security line which I did at 11, I was stuck inside the terminal until they allowed me to get on board.

 

And no, I'm sorry, low blood sugar does not constitute a call to 911. I wasnt asking the crew to assess my low blood sugar, hand me a cup of juice and I'll be fine in 30 seconds, if every diabetic called 911 every time their sugar was low they'd never be able to accomplish anything.

[NLH Arizona]

Maybe this is a difference between Carnival and NCL, I've always arrived at the port around 10 am. The one time prior to this that I sailed on NCL, it was at the same port but I was with a group and we went by bus and I don't remember what time we arrived. When I arrive at the port for my carnival cruises I usually have to sit and wait a bit but I have never been on board later than 12:30.

 

Normally you would have been onboard by 12:30 or earlier, but as you pointed out, the ship was late getting there, thus your embarkation would be delayed. BTW, if it would have been a Carnival ship that arrived like the NCL ship, you would have had to wait as well.

[Moby0215]

I don’t get the point you are trying to make about not having Muster right after boarding. Most people probably thought that was great. Get it out of the way right away. It only takes 15 minutes. And for many of the people it wasn’t right after boarding for all the people that boarded before you.

 

 

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[sullyd]

Yes I did learn to carry food with me, but regardless of that they still shouldn't have had muster immediately upon boarding like that. And the main point was how after I became I'll and tried to tell someone I was ignored, I had nothing on me to raise my sugar, whether the low sugar was my fault or not, once it happened did I deserve to be ignored? If I had passed out would the crew have just stepped over me and continued muster? They should always address a guests medical concerns, and if it is a regular occurrence that they ignore sick passengers that is wrong. I understand it was 1 person but when I reported it to guest services the manager barely seemed concerned. It makes me want to never sail with NCL again for fear of my safety and the safety of my loved ones.

Sorry for your incident, what time did you get to Port Canaveral?

[ColinIllinois]

When the ship has a schedule change things have to be adjusted. As mentioned the muster drill, by maritime law, has to occur before sailing. I'm sorry you weren't feeling well, but overall how was the cruise? Hopefully you had a good time.

[JerseyMom]

Another thing I do not understand is, if we were one of the first people on the terminal, how were we one of the last to board? I can't imagine our less than 10 minute bathroom break allowed that many people to get in the check in line to push us down that far. I understand there are levels of boarding but it should definitely not be that bad, if you arrive at port first you should be on first as soon as all VIPs board.

 

I am so sorry about your experience. I was also wondering how it was you got there 9:30, had 100 people in front of you and got Boarding group 22? I thought the boarding order was Haven/Suites, handicapped, Platinum and other VIPS and after that first come, first served. I don't know about the sailing before yours but when we were on the Gem in February, our scheduled docking time was 10 as was the sailing before ours. We got there at about 11:30 and were onboard in plenty of time for lunch. It would be nice if they would have had snacks on your way into the muster drill. Not a nice way to start your vacation.

[suometar]

It would be nice if they would have had snacks on your way into the muster drill. Not a nice way to start your vacation.

 

You are not supposed to eat, drink, or be on your cell phones during the muster drill.

[graphicguy]

 

 

Yes and don't forget once I went through the security line which I did at 11, I was stuck inside the terminal until they allowed me to get on board.

 

And no, I'm sorry, low blood sugar does not constitute a call to 911. I wasnt asking the crew to assess my low blood sugar, hand me a cup of juice and I'll be fine in 30 seconds, if every diabetic called 911 every time their sugar was low they'd never be able to accomplish anything.

 

Please...I’m not questioning your medical needs. I’m trying to figure out where the boarding crew was going to understand your medical condition and find juice for it? I don’t think they carry that with them.

 

In my experience on boarding times, regardless of who I’ve sailed, including CCL, I’ve never been allowed to board anywhere near 9:30.

 

Again, what was the boarding time that was outlined on your ticket?

 

Trying to give a bit of guidance. Yes, sometimes ships are late getting into port. That will affect boarding of new passengers. I know one of the recommendations on my edoc is to pack medications on your person for just such occasions.

 

Stuff happens. They get rigid on the muster drill regs.

 

No indictments by me. I guess lesson learned!

[kitkat343]

They can’t leave the port until after the drill. Right after, there is food served on the pool deck. They are not going to delay leaving the port because some passenger# will need to wait another 20 minutes or so for lunch.

 

In the wake of the Costa Concordia disaster, all cruise ships are required to perform the muster drill before the ship leaves port. This change was made because a majority of passengers aboard the Concordia stated that they had not been through the drill and did not know where the lifeboats were located. Its length will vary depending on the size of the ship and cooperation of passengers. The time taken to get all passengers into lifeboats and to maneuver away from the ship is regulated by the International Maritime Organization, and must be accomplished in 30 minutes.[6]

 

 

I didn't know this. Thanks for sharing - it's helpful information.

[Love my butler]

When I have medical issues I rely on myself to self-medicate, if possible. To rely on others, especially foreign speaking crew is folly. If things were as bad as you indicate, you should have told a crewmember, a passenger, anyone, Help! I am having a medical emergency! Sure beats dying.

[Love my butler]

When the ship has a schedule change things have to be adjusted. As mentioned the muster drill, by maritime law, has to occur before sailing. I'm sorry you weren't feeling well, but overall how was the cruise? Hopefully you had a good time.

 

Seems like they often announce the muster has to be before sailing or shortly after sailing so I think you are incorrect.

[kristy29]

 

Please...I’m not questioning your medical needs. I’m trying to figure out where the boarding crew was going to understand your medical condition and find juice for it? I don’t think they carry that with them.

 

In my experience on boarding times, regardless of who I’ve sailed, including CCL, I’ve never been allowed to board anywhere near 9:30.

 

Again, what was the boarding time that was outlined on your ticket?

 

Trying to give a bit of guidance. Yes, sometimes ships are late getting into port. That will affect boarding of new passengers. I know one of the recommendations on my edoc is to pack medications on your person for just such occasions.

 

Stuff happens. They get rigid on the muster drill regs.

 

No indictments by me. I guess lesson learned!

 

I had my medication on me, I take it once a day in the evening, how does that have anything to do with what happened?

[kristy29]

When I have medical issues I rely on myself to self-medicate, if possible. To rely on others, especially foreign speaking crew is folly. If things were as bad as you indicate, you should have told a crewmember, a passenger, anyone, Help! I am having a medical emergency! Sure beats dying.

 

Did you even read my post? I told a crew member I'm having a diabetic emergency and he turned his back and walked away.

 

That is a major safety issue, if he can't understand English well enough to understand when someone who's sick is asking for help he should not be working on that ship!

 

I sure hope some of you who are responding never get sick on a ship because it's kind of terrifying being stuck in a room knowing you can't leave and being ignored by the only people who could help you.

[ColinIllinois]

Seems like they often announce the muster has to be before sailing or shortly after sailing so I think you are incorrect.

 

 

I looked it up and I was wrong. Thanks for the correction.

[thistimeplease]

Just curious why the questions regarding the OP getting to the port at 9:30, my check in time for my upcoming cruise is 9:30 - 10 am. On my other cruises I have also been at the port that early.

[mjkacmom]

Maybe this is a difference between Carnival and NCL, I've always arrived at the port around 10 am. The one time prior to this that I sailed on NCL, it was at the same port but I was with a group and we went by bus and I don't remember what time we arrived. When I arrive at the port for my carnival cruises I usually have to sit and wait a bit but I have never been on board later than 12:30.

 

Another thing I do not understand is, if we were one of the first people on the terminal, how were we one of the last to board? I can't imagine our less than 10 minute bathroom break allowed that many people to get in the check in line to push us down that far. I understand there are levels of boarding but it should definitely not be that bad, if you arrive at port first you should be on first as soon as all VIPs board.

On our last 2 NCL cruises from NYC (Breakaway and a Gem), we arrived at the pier at 9:45, and got boarding number 24. I think there are a large number of priority passengers.

[JerseyMom]

You are not supposed to eat, drink, or be on your cell phones during the muster drill.

That may very well be the rules but it is clearly not enforced. While I have never seen anyone on their cell phones during muster drill, I have seen people drinking beverages from the bar during muster drill. I can't imagine them objecting to a diabetic nibbling on something either.

[NLH Arizona]

That may very well be the rules but it is clearly not enforced. While I have never seen anyone on their cell phones during muster drill, I have seen people drinking beverages from the bar during muster drill. I can't imagine them objecting to a diabetic nibbling on something either.

I seriously doubt that the crew at the muster drill would have gone and gotten something for OP to eat or drink. What they should have done was call for medical and they would have taken her out, assessed her condition and went from there.

 

With regard to cell phones, many were on theirs texting during my last couple of cruises.

[Doug R.]

You are not supposed to eat, drink, or be on your cell phones during the muster drill.

 

That was really helpful and relevant to this discussion. :rolleyes:

[graphicguy]

I give.

 

We have tried to point you in the right direction to make certain this doesn’t happen again.

 

Not sure which person you wanted to help you, but if it was inside the terminal, it may or may not have been an NCL employee.

 

As far as someone not understanding you, I’m still not certain what it is you wanted them to do for you? Or, where they would go to get whatever it is you needed?

 

You were early. The ship was late. Not much could be done about that. You’ve cruised many times before. All of us who have cruised before know this sort of thing can happen, and prepare for the eventuality (at least I do).

 

Knowing your condition, I would think carrying a granola bar or something similar on your person would be something you’d do as a matter of course.

 

Personally, I think your anger is misspent. At the heart of this, the only person responsible for your health is you.

 

Like at the terminal, I’m not sure any of us here can help you.

 

Best to you in the future.

[rbt001]

I just got off the Gem, most of my trip was great but it started out really bad. The ship returned from the previous cruise late. As a result our embarkation process was all screwed up, we arrived at the port at 9:30 and were immediately put into a line for security where there were only about 100 people in front of us. We quickly realized the line wasn't moving, and the port agents told us because the ship hadn't docked yet they weren't letting anyone through, ok fine nothing that could have been done, eventually the ship came in and the line began to move and we wet through security and because we had driven 2 hours and then stood in the line for an hour we all had to go to the bathroom so we did that and then immediately got into line for check in. We were handed a yellow card with our embarkation number on it which was 23. We then waited in the check in line for another 45 minutes and finally got checked in, and the check in agent gave us a new yellow card with number 22. We then went and sat in the waiting area because boarding hadn't begun yet, at this point it was noon. Soon after they began boarding, and it went so slow, time kept ticking and ticking. Eventually 2 o'clock came and went and I realized we had missed lunch on the ship, I had a snack but figured they'd have the grill open or something when we got on since it was completely out of our control that we weren't on by 2. Eventually at almost 3 o'clock they finally called a large group of number all at once that went up to group 21, and 5 minutes later they called 22. We got online and on we went. My boyfriend and I took all the bags from all 4 of us in the group and went straight to our room, we walked in and put the bags on the bed and just then the announcement was made that all ship services were suspended and muster was in 15 minutes and all guests were to report to their muster station. At this point besides the snack I had from the tiny food cart in the terminal I hadn't eaten since 6:30 that morning, I am diabetic and recently started new meds and was starting to feel off, as soon as I walked up to my muster station I got shaky and after sitting there for awhile I started to feel like I was gonna pass out. I had no access to food and couldn't leave, I then told a crew member I was having a diabetic emergency and felt like I was going to pass out, he turned his back to me and walked away. Muster went on for about 15 minutes and I had my head down on the table and I was sobbing and no one acknowledged me. As soon as we were released I went to the nearest crew member and asked where to go to get food and she said deck 12 the buffet, I ran up there only to walk in and find it closed. Someone in there told me to go outside where I finally found food, I grabbed an apple while my boyfriend got on line and filled me a plate of food and once I ate I felt much better.

I think it was completely irresponsible of them to hold muster as soon as we boarded, I know they could have waited an hour. There were hundreds of people on the terminal with us, and I spoke with other people who said they also were pissed at getting on board and there being no food. It's not like I chose to not eat all day, I was put in that security line and couldn't leave the building after that, and there was no way to predict I wouldn't have access to food until almost 4 o'clock. And once I started feeling horrible and I told a crew member the fact that i was ignored was absolutely disgusting, I could have passed out.

 

 

Kristy29, I've read this thread carefully, and while some have posted kind words of sympathy for the medical incident you experienced, I think other comments that may seem less than kind from posters surround your choice of words that you used to describe embarkation day.

 

So allow my to break it down, using your words...

 

 

I just got off the Gem, most of my trip was great but it started out really bad. The ship returned from the previous cruise late. As a result our embarkation process was all screwed up,

 

"Screwed up?" or perhaps just "delayed" would be a more accurate word. You will go on here to state that you drove two hours to the port, as opposed to being on a flight that arrived as early as you did-- 9:30 am, which is several hours before NCL's published and suggested check-in times.

we arrived at the port at 9:30 and were immediately put into a line for security where there were only about 100 people in front of us. We quickly realized the line wasn't moving, and the port agents told us because the ship hadn't docked yet they weren't letting anyone through, ok fine nothing that could have been done,

 

You are correct: There is "nothing that could have been done." For whatever reason the ship arrived 3 to 4 hours late. That's 3 to 4 hours LESS that NCL has in which to process approximately 4,500 people through what amounts to be a funnel: I'm referring to the 4 or 5 security personnel that scan off those disembarking and scan on those embarking.

 

eventually the ship came in and the line began to move and we wet through security and because we had driven 2 hours and then stood in the line for an hour we all had to go to the bathroom so we did that and then immediately got into line for check in.

During your drive to the port you had choices, as opposed to being on an airline flight where you were captive to the airline's flight schedule. Some of your choices, knowing how early you were, included: stopping for a meal and bathroom break-- especially after a 2 hour drive.

We were handed a yellow card with our embarkation number on it which was 23. We then waited in the check in line for another 45 minutes and finally got checked in, and the check in agent gave us a new yellow card with number 22. We then went and sat in the waiting area because boarding hadn't begun yet, at this point it was noon.

 

Given the ship had only started the disembarkation process probably 90 minutes prior, it would seem logical that boarding had yet to begin by noon.

Soon after they began boarding, and it went so slow, time kept ticking and ticking.

 

Remember, 2,200 plus people funneled through a small but critical checkpoint? Of course it's going to seem slow-- especially from the vantage point of Boarding Group 22/23!

Eventually 2 o'clock came and went and I realized we had missed lunch on the ship, I had a snack but figured they'd have the grill open or something when we got on since it was completely out of our control that we weren't on by 2.

 

I am SO TEMPTED to respond: "Why certainly: they'll have a grill wheeled out on deck with a table next to it that has a sign: RESERVED FOR KRISTY'S GROUP.

 

Tempted.... but I won't. So ignore that.

 

Eventually at almost 3 o'clock they finally called a large group of number all at once that went up to group 21, and 5 minutes later they called 22. We got online and on we went. My boyfriend and I took all the bags from all 4 of us in the group and went straight to our room,

 

Hmmm... a paragraph earlier you made the comment about "completely out of our control." Yet not everything was out of your control.

 

Let's do some math.... Your two hour drive, arriving at 9:30am means you were in the car at 7:30am meaning your last chance for a good meal was at least 8 hours prior since you now note it's 3pm.

 

You chose to take the luggage with your boyfriend, which certainly involved a wait for the elevator and some physical exertion as the two of you navigated luggage for four.

 

So let me ask.... had another member of your group of four switched with you to take luggage with your boyfriend, allowing you and the other party member to find food for you, or a bar for juice, could you medical incident have been avoided? Wasn't anyone concerned that you hadn't had a meal in 8 hours?

 

we walked in and put the bags on the bed and just then the announcement was made that all ship services were suspended and muster was in 15 minutes and all guests were to report to their muster station. At this point besides the snack I had from the tiny food cart in the terminal I hadn't eaten since 6:30 that morning,

There we are: 9+ hours since breakfast. And the announcement occurred as you were in the room dropping the bags. Though costly, you had access to the mini bar right there in your room which had several cans of sweet soda (and perhaps candy) to possibly deter a medical incident.

 

I am diabetic and recently started new meds and was starting to feel off, as soon as I walked up to my muster station I got shaky and after sitting there for awhile I started to feel like I was gonna pass out. I had no access to food and couldn't leave, I then told a crew member I was having a diabetic emergency and felt like I was going to pass out,

Close to 30 years ago I was standing with one of my employees, waiting for our fast food order. All of a sudden she took my arm and said "I need help. My blood sugar is too low." I turned to the bullet proof glass partion (Flint, MI) and banged on it and yelled for our drink cups, that she was getting sick. My response to her cry for help got action and shortly thereafter she was feeling better. I will never forget her taking my arm and the look on her face as she communicated the situation.

he turned his back to me and walked away.

 

I've waited a day to write this response, because when I first read this portion of your account, it was with disbelief, a voice in my head saying: "that's not the full story; something's not right here."

 

Crew assigned to lead muster speak fluent English. They are highly trained and are subjected to regular emergency drills to keep their skills sharp.

 

Was it clear to him that you were in need of medical attention? Could he have mistaken your communication as a general complaint about the delayed embarkation process and missing lunch?

 

Again, the crew takes muster drill much more seriously than they observe passengers responding to the muster drill: people are talking, on their phones, reading when they should be giving the announcement their undivided attention. If you were perceived as talking and just generally complaining while the safety announcements were being broadcast, then I can understand him turning away, using body language to make clear that he was not listening to your complaint. That is the only plausible explanation in my mind as to why a crew member would turn away.

 

To support this, let me ask.... where were your boyfriend and other two members of your party? How could they not be aware of your distress? How could they not assist you? Why were they not your advocates?

 

Kristy, I can tell you that had I been a passenger near you and observed your distress, I certainly would have advocated for you. I'm NOT a medical professional, but having that first hand experience, I would have asked you: "Are you okay? What do you need?" Next I would have taken a crew member by the arm and informed them and ensured that they reacted.

 

Muster went on for about 15 minutes and I had my head down on the table and I was sobbing and no one acknowledged me. As soon as we were released I went to the nearest crew member and asked where to go to get food and she said deck 12 the buffet, I ran up there only to walk in and find it closed. Someone in there told me to go outside where I finally found food, I grabbed an apple while my boyfriend got on line and filled me a plate of food and once I ate I felt much better.

 

You know... it wasn't until I was finishing my last paragraph that I see this all the more clearly.

 

My experience decades ago with my employee was extreme distress on her part. She held onto me for physical support and she was shaking. She needed immediate attention.

 

Yet after you had words with the crew member who turned his back, you sat for 15 minutes, then went to the buffet on deck 12. Either you further physically exerted yourself to take the stairs.... or you waited another 10 minutes for an elevator given the crowds when muster drill ends. (And your words "... I ran up there..." certainly were a figure of speech.)

 

Pulling out the calculator for math.... it sounds like after your contact with the muster crew member, easily another THIRTY MINUTES passed prior to you getting a plate of food.

 

This paints a picture FAR FROM the diabetic seizure I personally experienced.

 

So more accurately, wasn't it just "hunger pains" mixed with frustration of the embarkation delay and anger from missing out on the free lunch?

 

I think it was completely irresponsible of them to hold muster as soon as we boarded,

 

NO, it is not! NCL has thousands of lives to ensure are safe. Muster Drill is a part of it. NCL has a schedule to keep, and given the circumstances of the morning delay, it appears they were attempting to return to normalcy. Delaying muster drill can delay activities scheduled thereafter.

 

I know they could have waited an hour.

 

Yes, they could: and they could have also wheeled that grill out just for you, so you could have lunch when you boarded, as you planned.

 

But NCL was thinking of ALL 2,200 passengers, their safety and their schedule, rather than just your personal plan.

 

There were hundreds of people on the terminal with us, and I spoke with other people who said they also were pissed at getting on board and there being no food.

 

Oh well: it happens. And as you've said, there's nothing anyone could do about the late arrival of the previous cruise. And by approximately 4:30 pm, the feeding troughs were open. There were no news reports of malnourished passengers.

 

It's not like I chose to not eat all day,

 

Uh, yes, you did. as I pointed out previously, you drove to the port and controlled your own destiny.

 

I was put in that security line and couldn't leave the building after that,

 

That's far from the truth. You are NOT held prisoner, and you are free to leave. There are plenty of contract agents in the terminal, and a conversation with one about the realistic time for your boarding means that perhaps your boyfriend could have taken the vehicle to get takeout for that wait, which turned out to be three hours.

 

and there was no way to predict I wouldn't have access to food until almost 4 o'clock.

 

You were given plenty of indications that this would not be an "on time" embarkation.

 

You've been a CC member for over a decade, racking up hundreds of posts. And while your Carnival experiences don't ever seem to have included delayed boarding due to a late arriving ship, you are accustomed to waiting a few hours in the terminal, as you stated in other posts. I would just have to believe that in the decade of being a member of CC, that you must have encountered several posts from other members regarding delayed embarkation for any number of reasons.

 

You stated at the beginning, that you were informed as to why the line was not moving and no one was being let inside. The ship had not yet arrived.

And once I started feeling horrible

 

Horrible???

 

Severe hypoglycemia, or insulin shock, is a serious health risk for anyone with diabetes. Also called insulin reaction, as a consequence of too much insulin, it can occur anytime there is an imbalance between the insulin in your system, the amount of food you eat, or your level of physical activity.

Remember you then sat with your head down 15 minutes and probably took another 15 minutes or longer to get to a plate of food.

and I told a crew member

If your blood sugar drops a bit below normal, you may experience mild to moderate symptoms, including:

 

• dizziness.
  
• shaking.
  
• sweating/clamminess.
  
• hunger.
  
• nervousness or anxiety.
  
• irritability.
  
• rapid pulse.
  

How many of those signs were apparent to this crew member and your travel companions?

 

the fact that i was ignored was absolutely disgusting,

 

Without true symptoms of a medical emergency, nothing is more important than giving muster drill your 100% undivided attention. What's disgusting is disregard for the importance of muster drill.

I could have passed out.

 

But you didn't.

 

Instead you lived to tell your story--- and read my comments.

 

 

 

Now let me remind readers that EVERY DAY we can find posts on CC that we disagree with. I know that I do. Yet most I will just pass. This one, however, with its characterization of events and NCL sparked something in me to present my thoughts on the situation. I feel I have done so by respectfully pointing out my disagreement and providing commentary.

 

 

Sadly a portion of the CC populous feels that it's rude to disagree with their point of view. In reality it is not.

Edited April 16, 2018 by rbt001

[suometar]

That was really helpful and relevant to this discussion. :rolleyes:

 

Thank you for your helpful and relevant post. If you had scrolled up, you would have seen that I was quoting someone who wanted the crew to offer snacks to people going to the muster drill. My comment indicated that of all the muster drills I have personally attended, you are told not to eat or drink. On my last NCL cruise on the Dawn (Mar.25-Apr. 1) dozens of glasses/cups were left on the hostess' podium because they were not allowed into the dining room.

 

Furthermore, as far as "relevance" is concerned -- this whole post is how the OP needed food/drink because of her diabetic condition, and at the muster drill indicated that to a crew member.

[Peachypooh]

The OP must be young. In my younger days (and I have a health condition) I got caught in similar circumstances. I would just assume food would be available to eat/purchase. One day I was caught without food in a small town in rural America on Easter Sunday with nothing open within walking distance, no taxis, etc. I know better now. Hopefully you will learn from both our experiences and prepare for these type of things. I travel with enough food and water and medication in my carry on to be OK for 24 hours. Cheese sandwiches and peanut butter sandwiches, bananas, etc. travel well. And pre packaged snacks for when security makes you ditch the sandwiches. LOL

[rbt001]

Thank you for your helpful and relevant post. If you had scrolled up, you would have seen that I was quoting someone who wanted the crew to offer snacks to people going to the muster drill. My comment indicated that of all the muster drills I have personally attended, you are told not to eat or drink. On my last NCL cruise on the Dawn (Mar.25-Apr. 1) dozens of glasses/cups were left on the hostess' podium because they were not allowed into the dining room.

 

Furthermore, as far as "relevance" is concerned -- this whole post is how the OP needed food/drink because of her diabetic condition, and at the muster drill indicated that to a crew member.

 

No: this whole post is about an experienced cruiser that has taken more than a handful of cruises and has actively participated on CC, who was upset that things didn't go as she planned them. She arrived early, her group drove, meaning they had their own transportation to stop for a meal before arriving at the port at 9:30 am. Before entering the terminal she and her party were informed the ship hadn't even arrived back in port, a clear indication that the usual 11:30 am boarding would be delayed.

 

Finally being called to board at 3 pm, she didn't immediately seek food but instead herded the luggage to the room. In the room, where sweet soda and treats were available in the mini-fridge, she heard the announcement that all ship services were suspended.

 

Then, at the muster drill she felt "off," as she describes it. She arrived "shaky" but sat down and did not seek out assistance initially. She claims that when she felt like she was going to pass out, she approached the crew member to report she was having a diabetic emergency.

 

How many people REALLY BELIEVE that ANY PUBLIC FACING CREW MEMBER would simply turn their back on a passenger claiming to be in medical distress presenting symptoms of diabetic shock? Does anyone believe that a Muster Drill crew member would ignore a passenger that stated they were having a "diabetic emergency"??

 

She was with her boyfriend. Was he not concerned about her condition? Did he not advocate for her?

 

Or did he, possibly like the crew member, assess the situation as a tired and cranky passenger, mad and hungry because they missed their first free meal.

 

Another half hour elapsed before she finally did get food to address her "emergency."

 

I was standing right next to someone that experienced a TRUE "diabetic emergency." It was sudden, severe, scary and required fast action. At the time I didn't fully understand the situation, but the individual's distress was obvious.

 

On the other hand, I have also been in situations where I've skipped a meal, then arrived to find a restaurant closed. It's frustrating and mixed with anger and perhaps a feeling of being light-headed. But certainly not diabetic shock, or illness. And I've gotten over it without placing blame on others for my bad planning.

 

 

This is a synthesis in response the the post quoted in red. Before anyone disputes my words, read post #46 of this thread for my detailed account, using the OP's exact words to break down her account.

 

This turns out to be one for my "But, Seriously?" File because it seems to twist this whole incident into the cruise line's fault.

[NLH Arizona]

Just wondering, don't they have an O'Sheehans onboard the Gem and would it be open on embarkation day?