This is a FYI post-a death occured on an excursion.

[BopRN]

This post is only to share an experience a family had while cruising. Real life still happens despite all of our planning and anticipating our trips of a lifetime.  In December, a friend's 76 year old brother was on an RCCL snorkeling excursion in Curacao with his entire family-wife, kids, spouses, and grandkids. He decided to get out of the water and his grandson was with him. He sat down on a recliner. Within minutes, his grandson realized he wasn't responding to him. He was gone! I don't know any details of what happened after that. But I do know that RCCL took great care of the family, escorting them where they needed to go including the American Embassy. They flew the family home. The body was removed to the local morgue and placed in refrigeration. Here is the clincher---He died Dec. 20th and he was JUST embalmed in Curacao last week and JUST arrived to his home state 2 days ago!!  The government down there completely closed for the holidays so nothing was done. Island time, I guess!!😬 His funeral is Saturday. The family is SO ready to get this over after agonizing for 3 weeks. That's understandable. What a nightmare to go through, especially since it was so unexpected!

[LittleJoefromKokomo]

What a horrible experience to lose a family member on an otherwise happy vacation 😞 

[FionaMG]

That is very sad and my condolences to the family.

 

I'm glad to hear Royal took care of them.

 

I  know this might sound awful but I actually think I'd prefer to have a loved one depart like this rather than watching them take several years to wither away, suffering under the effects of a debilitating and incurable disease such as emphysema (my mum), Alzheimers (MIL) or Parkinsons (brother's MIL).

 

Either way, it's a horrible situation and I hope the family will now be able to get the closure they need. My thoughts are with them.

 

[h20skibum]

3 hours ago, FionaMG said:

I'm glad to hear Royal took care of them.

One of two deaths (that I know of) from our sailing in December.  Royal would have provided assistance, but they would not have footed the bill to fly them home.   You can be sure that would have been done with insurance.  Otherwise, why would people bother with insurance.

 

A very sad situation for the families. 

[dpostman]

It is unfortunate to see the burden placed on the family because of the delays.  However, if I were given the choice when it's my time... what a wonderful way to go.

 

dp

[Mum2Mercury]

Wow, what an awful story.  Sounds like the timing (holidays) was half the problem.  So he was in the water, was able to climb up the ladder /return to the ship, and he died moments later?  Wow.  

Must've been awful for the family ... well, for the tour guides and other people on the excursion too.  I mean, returning to the ship with his body.  

5 hours ago, FionaMG said:

I  know this might sound awful but I actually think I'd prefer to have a loved one depart like this rather than watching them take several years to wither away, suffering under the effects of a debilitating and incurable disease such as emphysema (my mum), Alzheimers (MIL) or Parkinsons (brother's MIL).

Agree.  My mother says her father died "inch by inch".  I was only a child, but I remember that time, and it was very hard on everyone.  

 

 

 

Edited January 12 by Mum2Mercury

[time4u2go]

3 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Wow, what an awful story.  Sounds like the timing (holidays) was half the problem.  So he was in the water, was able to climb up the ladder /return to the ship, and he died moments later?  Wow.  

Must've been awful for the family ... well, for the tour guides and other people on the excursion too.  I mean, returning to the ship with his body.  

Agree.  My mother says her father died "inch by inch".  I was only a child, but I remember that time, and it was very hard on everyone.  

 

 

 

It might have been a snorkeling excursion from a beach.  They aren't all off of boats.

[Mum2Mercury]

2 minutes ago, time4u2go said:

It might have been a snorkeling excursion from a beach.  They aren't all off of boats.

Good point.  More likely to have a recliner on the beach too.