very disappointed with Equinox guest services

[Glendakayself]

Ok, now that's a funny story. I just laughed out loud. :loudcry:

And brother-in-law lives in your state!

[Essiesmom]

Currently on Equinox. Deck 2 midship:

 

 

 

 

 

 

No bandaids in the machine. the 'Out of Order' sign just means that row doesn't work. I went into the facility and asked. And in the Celebrity app, if you have downloaded it, under 'services' it lists the Medical Facility (they are listed alphabetically) and the hours, and says you can dial 4500 from a ship phone to contact the on-call medical staff at any time. The lady at the reception desk said the same. The problem with the OP was he was in panic mode and didn't search out all of the options. EM

[alwaysonaship]

Since he was being very vague, I would have thought he or his wife needed something personal like Imodium, laxative or a tampon. If that's what they were asking for and the officer started to pry, the OP would be here complaining that the officer was being nosey.

 

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Spare me 🙄🙄🙄

[phoenix_dream]

IMHO if the problem was solved with a box of bandaids it was not that big of a wound and expecting Guest Services to leave the desk and try to scout out a bandaid seems a bit ridiculous to me. Yes, it would be nice if they stocked a few just in case, but drawing logical conclusions about the seriousness of the injury based on the solution, this seems like a big to-do about nothing much.

[ClaudiaB]

I hope the OP comes back to report if he went higher up the chain. Been reading this with interest.

 

We always carry a zippered case with contingency meds. Some things that may not have been mentioned:

emergency antibiotic if you're one who has sinus infections or has contracted bronchitis on a cruise (me for both)

small roll gauze

small roll ace bandage

adhesive pads that cut to fit a blister

fine tweezers and small sharp scissors

prescription cough medicine (only one thing helps my cough if I get bronchitis)

cough drops

ginger chews (Trader Joes!!) or crystallized (Penzey's Spices)

packaged heat pad

every OTC pain reliever available

 

When I had adult braces 10 years ago I also carried dental wax. I should probably carry it with me again. Good reminder.

 

We have overhead/discovered people in need of various things before and have happily offered them. (well not antibiotics or RX stuff). I also carry a couple bandaids in my purse wherever I am at home or away. They live with my change.

 

Most times we have never used anything more than an Excedrin or something like that, but it's when you don't have it that you wish you did. I will never forget bronchitis on the Eclipse! My cough was so bad that my DH went to sleep on a couch in the Ensemble Lounge. I felt bad for our cabin neighbors. I had no meds to help me and the Delsym equivalent and the Robitussin the ship had was like sugar water.

[greenan2]

I had quite the opposite experience onboard. After a heavy meal and cocktails I had acid reflux and it was very uncomfortable. The shop was closed as was the medical facility. The gentleman from Guest Relations got some change and escorted me down to deck 2 and to the vending machine next to the medical facility. He made sure that I had enough antacids and took me back upstairs. Wonderful service. Dare I suggest it sometimes can depend on the passenger's attitude? I politely and quietly asked for help. Demanded nothing. Did not mention how many times I've cruised ;)

[Toofarfromthesea]

Sorry to hear your problem with celebrity.

Thats is 110 % NOT acceptable.The guest relation officer should get FIRE.

 

Wow, I bet you wouldn't like that standard applied to you in your job. Especially if it is based on a one-sided relatively incoherent description of the issue.

[Northern Aurora]

Currently on Equinox. Deck 2 midship:

 

 

 

 

 

 

No bandaids in the machine. the 'Out of Order' sign just means that row doesn't work. I went into the facility and asked. And in the Celebrity app, if you have downloaded it, under 'services' it lists the Medical Facility (they are listed alphabetically) and the hours, and says you can dial 4500 from a ship phone to contact the on-call medical staff at any time. The lady at the reception desk said the same. The problem with the OP was he was in panic mode and didn't search out all of the options. EM

 

The photos in this post look very similar, if not identical, to the vending machine on the Infinity located just outside of the entrance to the Medical Facility.

[jagsfan]

I have for years taken a

Z-Pak on cruises as I’m prone to bronchitis. My doctor trusts me to recognize when I need it.

I faithfully read the patient instructions that come with any meds, especially new prescriptions.

I don’t remember whether it’s one of my new blood pressure meds, or Xarelto, but one specifically says it cannot be taken in conjunction with Erythromycin.

I’m really glad I saw that, although now I have to find another antibiotic to cruise with.

When putting together your first aid kit, make sure your meds combine safely. A bad reaction on a ship miles away from anywhere would not be fun.

 

 

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[Ferry_Watcher]

Thanks so much about letting us know about the medical supply vending machine. I plan to wander down there to check it out when I am on the Solstice in a couple of weeks. Thanks again!

[WpgCruise]

Some thoughts come to mind as I read this thread:

 

-Many years ago one of my direct reports came to me to complain that a request he had made to another department had been turned down, and not in a manner that would foster collaboration between our departments. I called the Manager of the other department to discuss and received these words of wisdom that may well apply here:

Sometimes there is not a nice way to hear NO. Is some of that perhaps the case here ?

 

-Some have provided a list of what they consider "basic" needs for a travel first aid kit. Is Celebrity to be criticised if they can't provide all of these items at Guest Relations? If not, the question then is where do the basics stop for you, and are the expectations of the basics the same for me ?

 

-And what about Liability ? If Guest Services is to have and provide "basic" first aid needs, this to me includes OTC pain relievers such as Advil and Tylenol. So if I go to them and ask for OTC meds for a brutal headache and they give me Advil, (which is a no no given the blood thinners I take) are they then responsible if I hemorrhage ?

 

I wasn't there, won't speculate on the conversation. I do know that Customer Service on any mass market ship we have been on in the last 15 years, regardless of the line, is "hit or miss". Sometimes the service is great, sometimes it isn't. Such is the result of huge ships, big passenger loads, overworked staff, and customers with expectations that are not met with the training, resources and expertise of front facing personal.

[Marelaine]

Ok, now that is what I call a very comprehensive first aid kit. I totally need to beef mine up a bit. Where does one acquire a tooth repair kit? Sounds like a good thing to keep on hand.

 

Amazon.com, of course ;) Larger pharmacies have kits, too.

[Marelaine]

Your med kit is small. LOL. Ours would keep an apothecary in business. We also take a few ban aids with us ashore every day to cope with the odd cut or scrape. We found to our cost in St Marcos square in Venice how expensive a few band aids can be

 

In addition, we have a few Rxs. But what am I missing? I like to be prepared.

[cangelmd]

When I was on the Equinox in January, they had a small vending machine outside the Med Center that stocked basic OTC meds...I can't swear that it had bandaids, but I know it had ibuprofen aspirin anti-emetic, etc. Surprised that your weren't directed down there, unless it actually didn't have any bandaids???

[fizzy1]

Your med kit is small. LOL. Ours would keep an apothecary in business. We also take a few ban aids with us ashore every day to cope with the odd cut or scrape. We found to our cost in St Marcos square in Venice how expensive a few band aids can be

 

 

 

Small. I agree!! Haha !!!

 

 

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[fizzy1]

Thanks so much about letting us know about the medical supply vending machine. I plan to wander down there to check it out when I am on the Solstice in a couple of weeks. Thanks again!

 

 

 

Maybe this vending machine should be up at reception ?

 

 

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[NLH Arizona]

Maybe this vending machine should be up at reception ?

 

 

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Please no, that would be pretty tacky looking. It needs to be near medical and the poster should have been made aware of it, if there was one on his ship.

[jasm8449]

DH and I always keep a band aid in our wallets. Has come in very handy many times. We also take a pharmacy with us of emergency meds including stomach and cough and cold medications when on a cruise.

 

 

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[pattyj 1204]

I always have some bandaides in my wallet. I've needed them too many times when the boys were growing up. They take up little room and can save the day if you need it. I also have Imodium in my med kit at all times. Cheaper at home than in Canada the wilderness. I'm also going to carry cough medicine with me from now on. My husband had a bad cough on our recent cruise and he had to go to a port pharmacy and it was kind of expensive but it worked and we got some good sleep that night.

[warmwinds]

Anyone who travels with NOTHING - no aspirin, Tylenol, Pepto, Immodium, bandaids, etc., etc., ...I just don't understand. They take up almost NO room, and you should be responsible for your own welfare.

[hcat]

Guest services' only idea to tell the passenger to get off the ship, go into town and then return was not very helpful..

 

They should have offered more info...at least about the vending machine which I never heard of before this thread.. Pax obviously was nervous and not resourceful...but could have used a helping hand or thought. Most reps at the desk are great, others are very unfriendly and not service oriented at all....not in the right job!

[cachouonacruise]

I travel frequently for work, and sometimes for fun. I try really hard never to forget anything. But when you spend two weeks per month on the road, it has happened to me to forget items or to have items lost.

 

It should not happen, but it did and probably will again. It was never someone’s fault, but mine.

 

When it occurs, you feel quite vulnerable.

 

In some hotels, I was fortunate enough to find staff who was enabled to provide me with what I had forgotten or to direct me precisely to the right place to find it. I remember with gratitude these hotel and staff!!!

 

In the OP’s event, we don’t know what may have occurred to interfere with the packing process nor the type of occurrence requiring the Band-Aid or access to a First Aid Kit. But, All that, was not Celebrity’s fault or responsibility!

 

In my opinion, taking into account that everything was closed, it would have been nice if GR would have directed the OP to the vending machine on the second floor and if the machine would have been filled with the appropriate Band-Aid. (I understand that Celebrity is not required to be fully equipped with all medications and all possible bandage options, but band-Aids, are pretty common and needed).

 

Being sent back off the ship, in town.... not the most reassuring option for a passenger, for quite a few reasons.

 

Being shy and easily embarrassed, I would not have thought or dare to ask fellow passengers. This is something, I will remember from reading this thread. Thank you for the suggestion!

 

In my opinion, neither the OP or the Celebrity are bad in this event. It’s just an unfortunate situation, where an unexpected event occurred, where GR was unable to be as helpful to the passenger as it was hoped, resulting in a disappointed passenger.

 

As the OP, it this had occurred to me, I would likely have been disappointed too! Would I change cruise line for that! Likely not! But I will ensure, as much I can, not to forget packing Band-Aid!

 

Thank you Op and all for the informative discussion!

 

 

 

 

 

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