PLEASE HELP! Sick kid. Cruise leaves tomorrow.

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Aww - so sorry it's not improved and what you're going through. I agree - sounds like she needs to be treated at the hospital and I hope you all recover soon!

I know it's really hard - knowing how much you wanted this vacation and worked for it - but DCL will be there waiting for you next time. I truly hope you get it all worked out!

Hang in there,
Heather

[lbgraves]

Relieved to hear that you didn't try to go to the port this morning. All I could think is how would you get back to the resort or where would you stay at the port since you would likely be denied boarding if you answered the questions on the health form honestly. I hope that a doctor is able to help your DD today.

After you find out what is wrong and get their advice, I would contact DCL and update them. Depending on the diagnosis, it might be possible for DCL to transfer you to the next cruise. You would have to get your return flights changed, but that would be better than just returning home and "losing" the cost of the flights. Hopefully in a few days both you and your DD will be feeling better and be rested.

[speakupjc]

Hang in there! I agree with everyone else that you should have her checked for dehydration. It is serious as I found out from personal experience. Hope your child is better soon!

[davedmaine]

Originally Posted by DCLMOM13

First, I have DCL insurance.

We arrived here 2 days ago. On the 2nd leg of our flight my daughter started vomiting. We thought it was air sickness. She hasn't stopped vomiting for 2 days. We had disney send a medical person to our room last night. They said its a virus. She was looking Perkier and stopped vomiting yesterday around 11am. Slept all day. Now it's 1-2am and its started again.

No brainier our dream vacation of a lifetime is hooped. Cruise is not happening.

But now I'm freaking out. I just read DCL insurance and I am not sure we are covered. Apparently until 12:01 today (the trip. Departure date) if she was sick and seen by a medical professional it's now a pre-existing condition. Also imagine my shock to find out this insurance only covers costs for the cruise only. Not our flights,etc like a normal insurance company. I'm quite livid. I have saved 2 years for this $5000 vacation and only the $3200 cruise portion is covered, but with the legal fine print is it? I'm exhausted, crying, can't think straight. I'm stuck with a sick kid at a Disney resort in the middle of the night by myself.
What should I do? Am I going o lose all our hard earned money on this technicality? Any help from people who have been in this situation?

Go to a hospital. Worry about your refund later.

[bahacca]

Originally Posted by lbgraves

Relieved to hear that you didn't try to go to the port this morning. All I could think is how would you get back to the resort or where would you stay at the port since you would likely be denied boarding if you answered the questions on the health form honestly. I hope that a doctor is able to help your DD today.

After you find out what is wrong and get their advice, I would contact DCL and update them. Depending on the diagnosis, it might be possible for DCL to transfer you to the next cruise. You would have to get your return flights changed, but that would be better than just returning home and "losing" the cost of the flights. Hopefully in a few days both you and your DD will be feeling better and be rested.

This is the best advice I've seen. I wouldn't have thought to try to get on the next cruise to save the airfare. Yes, you may need to pay a $50-150 fee per ticket to change the flight(although if you tell them your issue a nice rep may take pity on you and be thankful you aren't exposing a flight full of people to this), but that is WAY better than having to pay for 2 more tickets to and from FL.

[TLSnell1981]

Originally Posted by bahacca

This is the best advice I've seen. I wouldn't have thought to try to get on the next cruise to save the airfare. Yes, you may need to pay a $50-150 fee per ticket to change the flight(although if you tell them your issue a nice rep may take pity on you and be thankful you aren't exposing a flight full of people to this), but that is WAY better than having to pay for 2 more tickets to and from FL.

Unfortunately, the child will probably still be contagious.

Also, hand sanitizers are pretty useless against viruses. You need soap and water.

[AudreyKThompson]

Originally Posted by TLSnell1981

Unfortunately, the child will probably still be contagious.

Also, hand sanitizers are pretty useless against viruses. You need soap and water.

Actually, neither of those statements are very accurate . . .
I think following the doctor's advice and taking the next cruise if the doctor agrees is a great idea, and the hand sanitizer should do a good job (but use soap and water if available)

[ruadisneyfan2]

Originally Posted by TLSnell1981

Unfortunately, the child will probably still be contagious.

Also, hand sanitizers are pretty useless against viruses. You need soap and water.

I would talk to a doctor and find out for sure. If OP was sailing today, I'm assuming it's a 7-nt cruise on the Fantasy. Maybe by next Saturday she will be back to her normal self and could easily answer "NO" to the health questionaire at PC or have a Dr.'s note handy.

[pdwimmer]

Originally Posted by TLSnell1981

Unfortunately, the child will probably still be contagious.

Also, hand sanitizers are pretty useless against viruses. You need soap and water.

Sorry, is anyone commenting a nurse/doctor? How does anyone have any idea if the child is contagious? Anything is useless against a virus by the way. Your body just has to work it out. With no fever it is not spread from person to person. Going to urgent care is a good idea, but literally, she probably just needs gatorade and sleep. DO NOT spend the money on the ER. Unless she is incoherent, dizzy, confused, convulsing, there is not a need go to the ER. Yes, I am a doctor, thus my advise, but advise only.

[TLSnell1981]

Originally Posted by AudreyKThompson

Actually, neither of those statements are very accurate . . .
I think following the doctor's advice and taking the next cruise if the doctor agrees is a great idea, and the hand sanitizer should do a good job (but use soap and water if available)

I beg to differ.

The child was diagnosed with a virus with vomiting and diarrhea. The most common are the norovirus and rotavirus. You are contagious up to 14 days AFTER symptoms disappear. You are usually contagious BEFORE having symptoms.

Best way to not get a virus is to never eat prepared food or go out in public. Although, that is a radical approach.

[insureman]

Originally Posted by TLSnell1981

Unfortunately, the child will probably still be contagious.

Also, hand sanitizers are pretty useless against viruses. You need soap and water.

"The CDC advice specifically says alcohol-based hand sanitizers help protect against MRSA and other germs. During flu season, the CDC continually warns Americans to prevent flu by using hand sanitizers when soap and water aren't around."

[ruadisneyfan2]

I had a similar virus when I was 8 mos pregnant with ds12. I was avoiding drinking because it seemed to only make me vomit it back up but the NP at my OB's office suggested just taking a tiny sip every 10 mins or so. She said even if I only hold it down for 5 mins then vomit it back up, at least something is getting absorbed, and that's better than nothing. It really did work.
Dehydration can lead to preterm labor so that was all I needed to hear to get me sipping. I was also getting a UTI at the same time. I did have antibiotics I could take for that but they're hard on the tummy & need to be taken with food which I couldn't. Of course I felt like I was dying at the time.

[lbgraves]

I didn't realize it was a Fantasy cruise, was thinking the Dream. I would ask DCL about getting on the Dream Thursday though. It would get back one day later than the original cruise and you would have at least some time onboard. You should get a refund also, which could help offset the additional lodging expense this week while your DD recoops.

[TLSnell1981]

Originally Posted by insureman

"The CDC advice specifically says alcohol-based hand sanitizers help protect against MRSA and other germs. During flu season, the CDC continually warns Americans to prevent flu by using hand sanitizers when soap and water aren't around."

How you wash your hands..ie. row row row your boat or happy birthday..is a big factor. Folks have a false sense of security with hand sanitizers...and they are not used properly. Not every one is a fan.

[sshaw10060]

If you don't board the cruise b/c she is sick and the insurance denies your claim for some reason Disney will refund the port fees and credit the entire fare paid minus the insurance to a future cruise. That's the biggest advantage of DCL insurance. Aside from that you're better off with non-Disney travel insurance.