Has anyone used the medical facilities?

[jennygirlmt]

Has anyone subscribed to one of these "rescue services" that claim to arrange medical care and even emergency evacuation to get you home or to a hospital? We've been getting some adverts lately . .. Worth while? Thanks!

 

 

I used to work for an assistance company like that. We would not evacuate off of a ship, or via helicopter. We would only evacuate from a port and only if you could not receive adequate care where you were.

 

If you were injured, treated, stable and needed to be taken home (repatriated) we would arrange for that whether it be by yourself (medically cleared), with a nurse escort, etc.

 

It's a fabulous service though I'll admit that since I stopped working there (and getting a free policy) I haven't purchased my own [emoji15].

 

We also could handle non urgent situations as well as security situations.

 

I worked for International SOS but their consumer polices are more expensive than competitors like med jet, etc.

 

 

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[constable145]

Great experience onboard the Majesty last fall when my wife-in-law (ex-husband's current wife) hurt her ankle.

 

For the record, she got as many strange looks from her friends as I did from mine while they were asking "You are cruising with whom?"

 

 

Did you push her down the stairs?

[shrifk]

I don't expect a major surgical unit, but do they offer medical care for various emergencies or even minor ailments?

 

How would they treat someone who suddenly felt faint, or dizzy? Or had chest pains?

 

I'm looking for personal experiences.

 

 

I just boarded our cruise ship and felt uncomfortable. My wife got some one to take me to medical. It turned out I had Pneumonia. They took X-rays, ekg and other tests and determined I could not continue my cruise. I was evacuated to the hospital for treatment and stayed for one week.

 

The medical staff on the ship was wonderful and helpful to explain everything.

 

An ambulance was called and took me to the hospital. The doctors and the nurses were exceptional.

 

Fortunately I had insurance. A coordinator from the insurance co. checked on me every couple of days. On departure the insurance co. coordinator made plane reservations for my wife and I. Insurance covered the cost so I didn't have to prepay.

 

The ship medical expense was almost $1,000 and charged to my credit card. I'm submitting paperwork to get a refund.

 

Since I was in the U.S. my personal insurance would be processed by the doctors and hospital, and ambulance services so I shouldn't expect to get a bill.

 

I also leaned that Medicare will pay for or approve expenses if the ship is in a U.S. port or withing 6 miles of the U.S.

 

Lesson learned. Don't ever travel without insurance.

 

I'm feeling good now.

 

Incidentally I felt fine boarding the ship. Had some champagne and then felt a little woosey so I sat down. My wife looked at me and thought I had passed out.

[rp23g7]

Try not to use the medical facilities. Haven't used them on RCI, but on Princess.

 

We were on the Grand last year, my wife dislocated her shoulder when we were out and about in Puerto Vallarta, nothing was Princesses fault, but they totally took care of us, let me say that first.

Went back to the ship, x ray machine wasn't working, IV and liquid Tylenol, before going to Amerimed, $650. Which insurance paid. Almost became a Mexican citizen on that cruise, but that's another story, pm me if you want to hear it. Let's just say I am a huge fan of vacation insurance now.

[dwelsh]

On Oceania Sirena I was first diagnosed with Bronchitis. The cost of exam and medication nearly $700. The same evening returned to hospital with shortness as of breath, told I had pneumonia and needed to be hospitalized. Treated by doctor and nurse and discharged the following morning. Bill, $3000!

Better buy insurance, it's a good investment especially if you are "up in years."

 

 

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[Margy23]

Several years ago my husband developed a severe upper respiratory infection while we were on Explorer and went to the Medical Department. We were very much impressed with both the doctor and the nurse.

 

The doctor prescribed an antibiotic (one our doctor has prescribed in the past) and had my husband come to Medical twice a day for two or three days for nebulizer treatments - they monitored his progress but I don't remember the details.

 

What I do remember is that the medication cost less than half what our co-pay would have been at home - and we have Medicare Part D coverage that's considered very good. I don't know how strict CC standards are for staying on subject, so I'll refrain from going into a rant about allowing Medicare to negotiate with big Pharma.

 

Margy

[flczr]

I am both a retired respiratory therapist with 40 years experience and a retired EMT with 30+ Years experience. A couple of years ago I was on the Majesty of the Seas when a passenger had a major medical emergency. The ship went into emergency mode firing up all engines to return to Nassau. Made it from Coco Cai in less than 3 hours, so fast the ship had to wait for an ambulance. I watched as the patient was transported off the ship. Was pleased to see the patient on a transport ventilator that the ambulance crew did not carry on. So yes in my professional opinion the medical center gives excellent care.

[grapau27]

I am both a retired respiratory therapist with 40 years experience and a retired EMT with 30+ Years experience. A couple of years ago I was on the Majesty of the Seas when a passenger had a major medical emergency. The ship went into emergency mode firing up all engines to return to Nassau. Made it from Coco Cai in less than 3 hours, so fast the ship had to wait for an ambulance. I watched as the patient was transported off the ship. Was pleased to see the patient on a transport ventilator that the ambulance crew did not carry on. So yes in my professional opinion the medical center gives excellent care.

We were on the maiden voyage of NCL Gem out of Dover England and during this voyage my father in law who was in 10 years into remission for prostate cancer had a total blockage and the ships South African surgeon fitted a catheter and quietly told us his cancer was back and to get treatment back home.

When we got home we got him radiotherapy treatment and he survived for a further 9 months.

Fingers crossed we never need the medical facilities but it is reassuring how good they are.

 

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[HighlandBoy]

On Anthem last year my wife hit her head on a handrail getting up from one of the loungers and ended up needing 7 stitches to the cut. Excellent medical attention received from the staff on-board and no charge at all for the treatment.

[Daringrun]

I know theses are all good stories but my mum had chest pains...seems a build up of fluid. In the hospital on the ship P&O $7000 for 3 days. South Pacific cruise.

 

 

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[grapau27]

I know theses are all good stories but my mum had chest pains...seems a build up of fluid. In the hospital on the ship P&O $7000 for 3 days. South Pacific cruise.

 

 

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Hope she is okay now and your insurance covered it.

 

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[Ocean Boy]

I know theses are all good stories but my mum had chest pains...seems a build up of fluid. In the hospital on the ship P&O $7000 for 3 days. South Pacific cruise.

 

 

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Then I guess she was pretty fortunate that the ships have the facilities to take care of such issues when they arise. How was her care aboard the ship?

[Daringrun]

Thanks everyone yes took care of but just a caution of the cost. Yes had insurance with cover more.

 

 

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[Margy23]

I just thought about something else of interest about medical care at sea. Quite a few years ago we were on a Royal ship and had left Coco Cay an hour or so before on our way home.

The ship turned and the captain made the announcement that we were going into Carnival's out island (closer than Coco Cay), so a helicopter could pick up a crew member who needed immediate medical attention.

 

From what we heard later, he had an emergency appendectomy and everything turned out well - we were impressed with Royal's response, especially for a crew member as opposed to a paying passenger.

 

Margy

[Ocean Boy]

I just thought about something else of interest about medical care at sea. Quite a few years ago we were on a Royal ship and had left Coco Cay an hour or so before on our way home.

The ship turned and the captain made the announcement that we were going into Carnival's out island (closer than Coco Cay), so a helicopter could pick up a crew member who needed immediate medical attention.

 

From what we heard later, he had an emergency appendectomy and everything turned out well - we were impressed with Royal's response, especially for a crew member as opposed to a paying passenger.

 

Margy

It would have never entered my head that one group would be treated differently than the other.

[grapau27]

It would have never entered my head that one group would be treated differently than the other.

My thoughts too.

Being from the UK everyone is given free treatment regardless of where they are from so for me it is normal everyone is treated the same.

 

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[brillohead]

I know theses are all good stories but my mum had chest pains...seems a build up of fluid. In the hospital on the ship P&O $7000 for 3 days. South Pacific cruise.

 

Care is only provided free of charge on board when it was an accident that happened on board. If someone is just sick with something not ship-related, there is a cost associated with that care.

 

And three of my six patient last night had "a build up of fluid", and I guarantee you that the cost for the care in the Emergency Department plus three days of inpatient hospital care is significantly more than $7,000!!!!!

[Margy23]

It would have never entered my head that one group would be treated differently than the other.

You're absolutely right - when I think about it, the people who would make such a decision (the captain?) would be concerned only in terms of human life. I'm embarrassed and apologize for my cynicism. :(

[toras]

Years ago Dad was too tired to go on an excursion when docked at Monaco so mom stayed on board with him and I went. When I got back they were packed as Dad went to the ship's doctor and they said he needed a pace maker right away so we got off the ship and an ambulance was waiting. Don't have the records to show what the ship charges were. Insurance paid for everything.

 

Recently went with my partner and he forgot one of his medications; he went to consult with a nurse but didn't see a doctor so there was no charge.

[Bollinge]

Remember, there are comprehensive medical facilities on cruise ships - the bigger the ship the ship the more extensive - but the costs for us Brits, at least are astronomic! We have "free-ish" health care in England.

 

But if you have anything serious at all, you will be unceremoniously bundled off the ship into the care of land-side hospitals at the next port of call, or they will divert to off-load you.

 

Out of sight out of mind, and thus no chance of a medical malpractice suit against the cruise line.

 

Make sure you always cruise with medical insurance!!!

 

 

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[brillohead]

But if you have anything serious at all, you will be unceremoniously bundled off the ship into the care of land-side hospitals at the next port of call, or they will divert to off-load you.

 

Out of sight out of mind, and thus no chance of a medical malpractice suit against the cruise line.

 

Seriously? :rolleyes:

 

Did it ever occur to you that's it's simply not financially feasible to have a specialist and the necessary equipment for every possible medical situation on board a ship, rather than an attempt to avoid a malpractice suit?

 

How much do you think the fares would go up if every single ship had to have a neurologist, a cardiologist, a pulmonologist, an otolaryngologist, a gastroenterologist, an orthopedic surgeon, a thoracic surgeon, a general surgeon, a neurosurgeon, a radiologist, a pathologist, a podiatrist, and ophthalmologist, a pediatrician, a rheumatologist, an oncologist, an anesthesiologist, an OB/GYN, etc.???

 

Oh, and don't forget the cost of a CT scanner, an MRI machine, an endoscopy suite, a heart-cath lab, a full infectious disease laboratory, every type of surgical equipment known to mankind, etc.

 

Yep, I'm sure that the ONLY reason that they put complicated medical cases in land-based hospitals is just to avoid a malpractice suit.

 

Sheesh, the stuff people will say around here....

[rum & monkey]

We used the medical facilities on Navigator a few years back. Our daughter had an ear infection, most likely from water in her ears from swimming. About $180 for the visit & less than $10 for the antibiotics.

 

 

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[Bollinge]

Seriously? :rolleyes:

 

 

 

Did it ever occur to you that's it's simply not financially feasible to have a specialist and the necessary equipment for every possible medical situation on board a ship, rather than an attempt to avoid a malpractice suit?

 

 

 

How much do you think the fares would go up if every single ship had to have a neurologist, a cardiologist, a pulmonologist, an otolaryngologist, a gastroenterologist, an orthopedic surgeon, a thoracic surgeon, a general surgeon, a neurosurgeon, a radiologist, a pathologist, a podiatrist, and ophthalmologist, a pediatrician, a rheumatologist, an oncologist, an anesthesiologist, an OB/GYN, etc.???

 

 

 

Oh, and don't forget the cost of a CT scanner, an MRI machine, an endoscopy suite, a heart-cath lab, a full infectious disease laboratory, every type of surgical equipment known to mankind, etc.

 

 

 

Yep, I'm sure that the ONLY reason that they put complicated medical cases in land-based hospitals is just to avoid a malpractice suit.

 

 

 

Sheesh, the stuff people will say around here....

 

 

 

Thank you for your valuable and informative contribution.

 

Have you ever worked on a cruise ship?

 

 

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[bouhunter]

 

But if you have anything serious at all, you will be unceremoniously bundled off the ship into the care of land-side hospitals at the next port of call, or they will divert to off-load you.

 

Out of sight out of mind, and thus no chance of a medical malpractice suit against the cruise line.

 

 

 

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What valuable and informative contribution....... Would you rather stay on the ship where they aren't equipped for serious conditions so you can sue them later?:rolleyes:

 

I would rather get to proper care and could care less if I'm leaving the ship in a "ceremonious" fashion........

[woldig120]

Last year on the Independence, I fell and hit my right shoulder outside the Diamond lounge on deck 14. This was after 9.00 p.m. Nothing seemed to be broken. After a restless night I went to the medical center and was first in. Full xray of the shoulder and other tests. No charge. Very good service by staff including security wh had seen it on the monitors.