I needed the Dr on the ship this week...

So I’m the Mom, I pack for everyone. All 5 of us. I had check list upon check list of things not to forget. Socks for rock wall climbing, check. Long pants for ice skating, check. Every medication I can think of that the family would need, check. My medication that I haven’t needed in years and years but still should have packed, buzzer sound. Seriously??

I have asthma but haven’t used my rescue inhaler in so long I’m sure it needs dusted. It truly slipped my mind as something I should have put on the list. So it’s sitting at home. IT’S SITTING AT HOME.

I decided to touch up my nails in my cabin, super harmless right? It has never affected me before. Except this time it did. And I couldn’t breathe. Like truly couldn’t. So panic sets in. I am telling myself that I’m ok. I know I’m breathing but in my head I couldn’t calm down when I realized I didn’t have my inhaler. I’ve never had a panic attack in my life (lots of Nevers in this story), well that was about to change as well.

I ran/walked to level 4 out to the deck trying to gulp air. I went to the promenade for water hoping it would help. That’s when I started to lose consciousness. My husband grabbed me and I said “Dr, NOW.” I was still gulping for air and we went straight to deck 1 and walked right into the Dr’s office.

They were BEYOND amazing. She was telling me, “You can breathe. Look at me and breathe”. They had an inhaler to me in seconds. Then the full panic attack roared through me. If you’ve never had one, like I had not, it’s the scariest thing ever. They put me in a room and, since my blood pressure was through the roof (I’m 43 and pretty healthy) they monitored me. The nurse and Dr were so so kind. The nurse was rubbing my head saying “It’s ok honey” again and again.

Basically this was all my fault. I forgot my medication. I panicked when I realized I didn’t have it. I hyperventilated and sent myself into a panic attack. But they never made me feel bad or over reactive (like I felt).

I’ve heard horror stories about the Dr’s offices on ships and the outrageous bill. Well I can honestly say my bill was way less than expected, $167. I’m beyond grateful that there is a fully stocked Dr’s office on the ship and for the fact that within a few hours I was at dinner with my family, enjoying our evening.

With my new inhaler tucked into my purse.

I am glad you had a good experience. I am like you where I have my checklist and make sure I pack everything especially the OTC medicines. Last time, I started packing 2 weeks before the trip. We have about 6 weeks before our next cruise and I am already nervous I am going to forget something.

We had a pleasant experience with the ship doctor as well. My dd had complained her ear was hurting on day 2. The doctor was really nice and checked her out. Double inner and outer ear infection, so off we went with amoxicillin and ear drops.

Oh poor babe! I’m glad she was able to get help and hopefully relief quickly.

It truly was the only thing I forgot. We had things I didn’t even touch that I had read it was a good thing to bring on board. I’m sure you’ll cover it all! And hopefully this post will help you remember all the meds too!

Lil--this may sound odd because of the scare you went through, but--what a beautiful and well written post! So glad it had a happy ending. We sailed Adventure last month and the crew was fabulous. Glad to know the medical people were also great. Hope you loved your cruise despite that misAdventure!

Glad to hear everything went ok.

Out of curiosity, if you had travel insurance, would that have covered the $167? I've never bought travel insurance so I don't know the ins and outs.

Glad to hear everything went ok.

 

Out of curiosity, if you had travel insurance, would that have covered the $167? I've never bought travel insurance so I don't know the ins and outs.

Travel insurance is for things like cancellation and delay. Medical coverage, including evacuation, is usually separate. We use GeoBlue for that. You can also look at sites like Insuremytrip and others which you can easily search.

Travel insurance is for things like cancellation and delay. Medical coverage, including evacuation, is usually separate. We use GeoBlue for that. You can also look at sites like Insuremytrip and others which you can easily search.

Thank you for the info. I will look into that.

Glad to hear everything went ok.

 

Out of curiosity, if you had travel insurance, would that have covered the $167? I've never bought travel insurance so I don't know the ins and outs.

Travel insurance is for things like cancellation and delay. Medical coverage, including evacuation, is usually separate. We use GeoBlue for that. You can also look at sites like Insuremytrip and others which you can easily search.

Most travel insurance covers medical and, for some, their health insurance might cover a trip to the ship doctor.

Trip Insurance Store has a very comprehensive website that will answer just about all your travel insurance questions.

https://tripinsurancestore.com/travel-insurance-frequently-asked-questions/#b

Lil--this may sound odd because of the scare you went through, but--what a beautiful and well written post! So glad it had a happy ending. We sailed Adventure last month and the crew was fabulous. Glad to know the medical people were also great. Hope you loved your cruise despite that misAdventure!

Well thank you very much. Yes every single thing after (and before) those few hours were truly fairytale perfect. We adored the ship and staff and cannot wait to look into a new adventure next year!

Thank you to all that answered about the insurance. My husband said he will be looking into it all when we get home. I honestly don’t know as we’ve never used our personal insurance or other insurances for anything like this.

OP -- I hear ya about the "instant" puffer collecting dust. It seemed the only time I did remember to renew it was I was off on a cruise! With a change in asthma meds I hardly use it anymore, but like you I'm supposed to have it with me.

Good to hear everything worked out!

I too have experienced that panic / anxiety attack -- it is a very scary thing. (it doesn't work for everyone due to factors, but sometimes doing the breathing into a paper bag helps to try and calm us. Of course you have to get passed the 'bark cough' while trying it.)

Travel insurance is for things like cancellation and delay. Medical coverage, including evacuation, is usually separate. We use GeoBlue for that. You can also look at sites like Insuremytrip and others which you can easily search.

Royal Caribbean's travel insurance has some medical coverage, including some medical evacuation coverage.

OP -- I hear ya about the "instant" puffer collecting dust. It seemed the only time I did remember to renew it was I was off on a cruise! With a change in asthma meds I hardly use it anymore, but like you I'm supposed to have it with me.

 

 

 

Good to hear everything worked out!

 

 

 

I too have experienced that panic / anxiety attack -- it is a very scary thing. (it doesn't work for everyone due to factors, but sometimes doing the breathing into a paper bag helps to try and calm us. Of course you have to get passed the 'bark cough' while trying it.)

 

 

 

It’s funny you mention the bag! They had me breath into one. Usually that works, but I was too far gone at that point. I had myself in quite a state.

One day I’m sure this will all be a funny story....”Hey Lillian, remember that time you had a panic attack in the middle of the ocean on a dream vacation?!? Ohhh hahaha! That was crazy!!”

One day....

Glad to hear it all worked out. I too have asthma and panic attacks. Both are awful on their own. Combined is pure torture. Take care.

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Thank you to all that answered about the insurance. My husband said he will be looking into it all when we get home. I honestly don’t know as we’ve never used our personal insurance or other insurances for anything like this.

So glad that everything worked out for you.

Make sure you get a copy of your bill along with insurance standard filing form. Not sure of the name of the form, but ship provides one of those computer generic forms that insurance uses with the appropriate codes filled in. You can then file that with your personal or travel insurance. You may have to file with both. Your personal insurance might be considered primary and travel insurance secondary.

Travel insurance is for things like cancellation and delay. Medical coverage, including evacuation, is usually separate. We use GeoBlue for that. You can also look at sites like Insuremytrip and others which you can easily search.

Most travel insurance policies cover medical along with trip delay, lost luggage, etc. Many people do purchase additional evacuation insurance, but medical up to specific dollar amounts, is usually part of trip insurance. If you purchase through cruiseline it's like that along with most other policies.

Thanks for posting a positive onboard experience with the medical staff...we don't hear many of those. Glad everything worked out well for you...enjoy your cruise now.

So sorry glad worked out for you. Had lung collapse while having Asthma attack. Daughter is so sensitive that second hand smoke can trigger her Asthma. Son 5 min after born just stopped Breathing. Scary Scary when can't breathe. Was single Father raising 3 young ones, now have 4 Grand Daughters under age of 8. Carry travel med kit with me with everything, I hope... Again, glad your Ok...

Glad to hear everything went ok.

 

 

 

Out of curiosity, if you had travel insurance, would that have covered the $167? I've never bought travel insurance so I don't know the ins and outs.

We always get the insurance offered by Royal Caribbean and that has covered our visits to the doctor onboard. I manage to have weird things happen to me on vacation :)

On the Radiance we participated in an activity with all kinds of things your team had to do to win, one of which being building a human pyramid. I stupidly took part of it despite having not the greatest back and being with a very small build. A woman three times my size was on me with her leg right on the middle of my back and I was just in the worst pain afterwards...and feeling so stupid for doing it to myself. Went to the doctor the next day because the pain was just getting worse. The x-rayed me, found everything was fine, and gave me 800 mg ibuprofen to take. We weren’t charged. And I don’t let my competitiveness push me to do stupid things anymore :)

On the Allure we went swimming with sea turtles in St. Thomas and one of the turtles clamped onto my finger and would not let go until the guide finally managed to force her to open her mouth (I told you, really weird things...). Really gross wound (I still have the scar to prove it). When we got back onboard they gave me a tetanus antibody shot, antibiotics and bandages to keep the wound clean and protected. We were not charged for anything.

So I would recommend getting the insurance RCL offers.

OP, that’s SUCH a scary scenario!! I’m so happy they were so great and that you ended your day at dinner with your family. Both of my experiences with the medical staff onboard were super positive as well.

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Oh you poor thing. I woke up having an asthma attack Thursday---no idea what triggered it--first time I have needed my rescue inhaler in a long time (looked today--it expired over a year ago! thankfully it still worked). I felt panicked getting up and finding it in my purse (I used to sleep with one by the bed, but, like you, lulled into not being so careful).

I am so glad you got good care on board. We have had similar experiences---DH has been in three times for various, always excellent care and always reasonably priced (we do have a travel heatlh insurance which reimburses us fully, which is nice----but the shipboard charges would be manageable without---it was a landside Urgent Care before a cruise that would have been a big problem to pay for had it not been for that insurance)

Glad everything worked out ok and you enjoyed the rest of your holiday :)

$167 sounds about right for an office visit plus an inhaler. Before looking at travel insurance, contact and send the bill to your current health insurance company. Even if you don't have out of network benefits, many many plans will come with urgent and emergent coverage (worldwide).

Glad it worked out! DW has asthma and had a serious attack triggered by being exposed to too much cigarette smoke on Fascination (sitting next to the casino playing trivia). She was finally able to get it under control with her inhalers but I was very close to taking her to medical. I bought a travel nebulizer after that and we now carry it everywhere (I think it cost $30).

Glad everything worked out for you.

Thank you for taking the time to post your experience.

Glad to hear everything went ok.

 

Out of curiosity, if you had travel insurance, would that have covered the $167? I've never bought travel insurance so I don't know the ins and outs.

Our travel insurance covered a $220 med bill for seeing the ship’s doctor.