sprinkles

Have you ever been on Holland America? If not, you may understand better why this was originally posted on that forum.

Thank you, Happy Sailing

Please do, I will also if we attempt it when we go,

Okay, since there seems to be interest in this, I’ll expound. I really do not want to get too specific for privacy issues. So maybe keep this as a hypothetical question (as this thread is no longer on a specific lines forum) Yes, I am specifically talking about round trip from US. A cruise that leaves the west coast, heads to Hawaii then continues to multiple ports and returns to the US. Not as long as the 51 day, Tales of the South Pacific that I am leaving on in two weeks. I have every intention of asking this question and having this discussion with staff on board. But yes, a ship that gets as far as Tahiti (do I really need to list the exact ship and every port to discuss this)? Also, like I talked about above. Take the dementia out of it, I was also asking about people with severe fears of flying. But for my family, no one is talking about trying to make her go on a plane. Their last cruise was 9 years ago, a round trip Hawaii (I had these concerns 9 years ago). She made it without incident. They have literally been no where, not left their city in 9 years. What type of “medical emergency” specifically for her? Heart Attack. By the way, as of late last night, my Dad may have found someone to stay with her and is talking about hopefully going without her (the obvious best solution, however she goes back and forth about wanting to go). Also, like I stated above, I have had more and more personal experiences meeting cruisemates with obvious dementia (I personally have a friend who travels with their spouse with dementia) and believe I will be seeing more and more as the OG cruisers from the 70’s continue to age. Okay, now that this is in this section (still looking for first hand knowledge) let’s switch the scenario. Let’s just talk about extreme fear of flying. Let’s take the air lift out of the scenario. The patient has been stabilized in the ships infirmary and is forcibly disembarked at the next port of call…….okay lol, this could go on forever,,,,,I definitely will have some fun discussing this stuff with crew (might cost me a couple of bottles of wine 🤣). Doesn’t anyone see where I’m going with this? Think mental health, what if the patient is a 25 year old with no known medical issues? My point is, this is not about “they shouldn’t get on a ship”. The bottom line is “they” do. Happy Sailing Everyone

Thank You for the best response to my original post yet.

Well okay, let’s see if I get any answers to my original question here. By the way, I myself have been traveling with MS for years. Please I am not looking for advice re dementia. Although very kind, I really am well versed on the subject. My fathers choices are very limited, they have been married for 46 years. I really am looking for answers to my original question. Although this may be a place where this starts a better conversation. As I really have been seeing more and more people on the ships with this “issue”. Happy Sailing Everyone.

Thank you for your kind response.

Thank you for your kind response.

Thank you for your kind response. I wonder if you would have seen my post where it has now been moved to?

FopMan- Thank You DeSolo, not a stupid question (this will also address Mary’s statement). Unfortunately, I have had too much experience with dementia in my life. This is all about my Step-Mother, who lost her Mother to dementia. So my Step-Mom will only talk about her physical ailments. My Father went to their doctor and referenced his suspicions. The doctor ordered a brain MRI, but step-mom refused, saying I’m not crazy (she has feared this diagnosis her adult life). You cannot make anybody do anything. So no, no official diagnosis and from my experience (my former profession and personal associations) you cannot make anyone do anything unless they are a danger to themself or others. So, I am talking about someone who would be clean, well dressed and well behaved in public (other than repeating herself or possibly getting lost on the ship if left alone). Much like many of the cruisers I referenced in an earlier post. Someone that you would have to spend substantial time with before “figuring it out”. DeSolo, believe me, we are looking into it (short answer). It may be the only chance my Dad has to take his dream trip. okay, now back to my initial question.

Okay, I was hoping that my time on this board would offer me some grace for being bold enough to ask what I KNOW for fact, others have had to ask themselves. I know this for fact, because hubby and I spend a substantial amount of time hanging out in the (gasp, lol) smoking section. So we tend to get to know others in that section very well. So I have been seeing more and more passengers in (that condition). Sometimes family members will let us know, sometimes we just figure it out). That being said, it only makes sense that we will see more and more of this (like my own two sets of parents, who began cruising in the 70’s. I started cruising in the 90’s. So trying to keep this honest and sincere. I had a second scenario. Take out the dementia. Let’s just say EXTREME fear of flying (yes total knockout, Valium didn’t work 30 years ago for her). I have cruised Hawaii many times and have talked with MANY cruisers who do that cruise because they would not fly. I do know there was a ship that disembarked all its passengers in Hawaii after coming in with mechanical trouble. So back to my parents, it has been 9 years since my Dad has been anywhere. My fathers dream has been to go to Tahiti. I’m leaving in two weeks, then going again in February. My Dad knows this may be his only chance to go, with my husband and I. Where we could help watch out for her. My Dad could go off ship with my husband and I can stay on the ship with her. Also I did not say she acts insane! The irrational insanity would be if someone tried to put her in a basket to be airlifted. I have so much more to say as I expected that I would have to explain more and more. I guess I’ll see where the questions keep going. Probably a few more have popped up while I typed this.

Okay bear with me, lol. I had to pick a tag that would get views. Hoping this doesn’t get moved to the medical section. Here we go, has anyone ever personally seen OR have actual knowledge of the following scenario (just picture the scene). This is actually a serious question for me, as I’m sure others have had to face (traveling with family), ok I’ll even settle for rumors. Elderly patient (undiagnosed dementia coupled with fear of flying - like has refused to step on a plane for over 30 years) goes on a cruise round trip US. Has a medical emergency and is air evacuated. Now imagine an absolutely insane person loosing their mind. Will/can the ships doctor tranquilize (which is exactly what it would take) the patient? Then on the other end, hopefully that person can get tranquilized again to board a plane to get home from Hawaii. See where I’m going with this? Thank you

I didn’t think you were. Personally, I think you are pointing out what I was thinking. That the port wants cruisers to spend money either before or after our tours in the town.

Ok, to back it up. If I recall correctly, the shore ex person was easy enough to find when we exited the ship. Directions were, take the shuttle to the visitors center and there will be people there. I can honestly say that everyone seemed really annoyed with the process.

I had this same experience this past May on the Westerdam with the bears/barnacles tour. I booked the ships tour to make my life easier traveling with my Granddaughter. Only to be dumped at the visitors center in the rain and told “there will be a Holland America Rep somewhere”. We’ll there was not, for 30 minutes or more. It was honestly a frustrating mess. I found myself wandering in circles with another passenger on the same tour looking for a Holland America Rep. When we finally found 1 person with a clipboard in the mass of people, we were told to wait in front of the tourist office for the bus. Then the bus arrived on the other side of the building, argghhh it really was pretty ugly. We had a great time on the tour, but agree the bus pick up should be at the ship (we were returned to the ship).