Positive Experience With Allure Medical Team/Pier Agent

[loudbmw]

So many posts have complaints so I figured I'd post a positive one.

 

My wife Cindy and I were on the Allure three weeks ago when my wife tripped on the pier and broke her ankle in Cozumel. We got her on the ship with a wheelchair and went to medical. They did an X-Ray and determined that the ankle break was in two places and was severe. They applied a splint but the ship's doctor said we needed to be seen by a specialist. They called an ambulance to take us to the hospital in downtown Cozumel. We thought it strange when we the ship's security took our room keys as we left for the hospital (more on this later).

 

It's about 3 hours before the ship is scheduled to sail and I had my doubts about making it to the hospital, getting treated and being back in time for the sailing. I run to the room and grab our passports and a backpack with some clothes just in case. At the hospital (CostaMED) we are met by Andrea, who is the International Patient Liaison. She translated for us and explained that they would do everything possible to expedite our treatment and if possible, get us back to the ship in time. To our surprise, the Pier Agent (the one listed in your cruise compass) is waiting for us when we arrive at the hospital as the ship had already notified him.

 

The hospital in Cozumel is clean and modern and we are taken care of very quickly. More X-Rays are taken. The doctor in Mexico determines that surgery will be required but says it's safe to finish the cruise and have the surgery when we get home. The Pier Agent who has been patiently waiting for almost 2 hours drives us back to the ship with 15 minutes to spare. He says, almost reluctantly, that he has to charge us $10 for the ride back to the ship. I tell him that's not enough and give him more.

 

At the gangway, we ask for our room keys back but there's a catch. The ship's doctor has to review the hospitals discharge papers that say it's safe for us to travel, In a few minutes we are cleared to board and end back in the ships medical department just as we sail. Medical gives my wife an injection to prevent blood clots and says we need to come there every day for another one for the balance of the cruise. They are very nice and caring every time we come. We were charged only for one office visit despite being seen every day for the injections. We were also charged for an X-Ray and splint.

 

Insurance – we cruise a lot so we had previously purchased an annual medical policy from GeoBlue. It's not that expensive since it's purely travel medical and evacuation coverage with no coverage for luggage, missing the ship etc. I submitted the ship's charges as well as the hospital/ambulance with all the documentation required. In two weeks, GeoBlue reimbursed us for the entire $1,900 claim less the policy's $50 deductible. If you cruise a lot, you should consider at least a annual medical/evacuation policy.

 

Cindy had her surgery and is doing well. I got her a knee scooter and I can barely keep up. It still another 4 weeks before she gets a boot cast and can put some weight on her ankle. In summary, we have nothing but praise for the ships' medical department, the International Patient Liaison at CostaMed and the Pier Agent who all saved what was left of our vacation.

[songbird1329]

I am sorry that your wife was injured, but I am glad to hear your experience with the medical department was a positive one.

[cruisenfever]

Thanks so much Lou for your feedback on the ship's Medical Staff. With so many negative threads this was very refreshing.

 

So glad to hear that your wife Cindy is doing well and healing.

Edited November 22, 2016 by cruisenfever

[mad-dog74]

I too, while not to your extent, have had positive experiences with the medical facility on Allure. Wasn't aware there was was an annual policy like you mentioned. Will check into that. But, it does pay to have insurance. My medical claim was promptly reimbursed too... well worth the cost of the insurance.

[Janet524]

So sorry for Cindy's misfortune, but glad to know she is doing well and that the Allure staff provided the kind of care they did. Also good to hear how that you had a positive experience with GeoBlue. We have GeoBlue as well, and had it for years as HTH before it became GeoBlue. Fortunately, we have not had to make a claim since it's been GeoBlue, but did when it was HTH and had excellent service. Happy to hear that has not changed. Best wishes to Cindy for a full and speedy recovery.

[ortrud]

Last year my husband and I cruised on Brilliance from Boston to Tampa. After the flight and first day on the ship my husban became totally dehydrated. He was confused and could not walk. He is 84 years old. The medical staff was excellent. They did every test under the sun and infused him with two Iv's. They checked on him every two days, he was soon back to normal.

We can't say enough about how good he was taken care of.

The insurance reimbursed us for every penny.

[easyboy]

Nice to know that your medical needs were taken cared of very well. Wishing Cindy well. Thanks for the feedback.

 

 

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[DISFANS3]

Good job all around...

[phabric]

Thanks for letting us know your experience with the medical staff.

 

Good luck with Cindy.

[martyap]

We always take out our own travel insurance whether we travel by land or on a cruise. We feel it is a necessary expense to cover lost baggage, delays, trip interruptions, medical and medical transport (not all foreign hospitals would be as efficient as the one in Cozumel) ...... etc.

 

The point is........many policies offer secondary coverage and you really have to be aware of what you are purchasing and exactly what the benefits are. We always try to use companies that provider primary coverage and I believe that is becoming more difficult to find.

[PlanoTim]

We had good experience with the medical staff and the port agent while visiting Belize on Liberty of the Seas earlier this year. I had a dental issue. The medical staff contacted the port agent who arranged for a visit to a nearby dentist. The agent had a car waiting to take me to the dentist’s office and the dentist was aware of my issue when I got there. It was all handled very smoothly.

 

Not exactly the excursion I had planned, but it all worked out well.

[cincicruisers]

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am glad Cindy got good care for her ankle.

[Big_G]

Nicely done. It's good to hear all positive experiences for a change.

[preschool teacher]

Good news all around...

[riclop]

Good to hear.

[1ballerina]

Sorry to hear of your spouses accident however so happy to hear of your positive experience with the medical team and port agent. I am now considering trip insurance.

All the best to your wife in her recovery.

 

Christina