HOW FREQUENT ARE MEDICAL EMERGENCIES ONBOARD? Any interesting witnessing?

[Pea-n-Me]

Bigsy, my guess would be the ship's docs most likely had very specific policies to follow in your wife's situation (i.e. disembarkation). They probably had no choice, unfortunately. If a miscarriage had occurred (heaven forbid) and they had gone against policy to let you stay, they could be held liable (not to mention unable to help much).

When I started bleeding early in my pregnancy I was sent for an emergent ultrasound, placed on bedrest for several days and given progesterone injections.

I agree bleeding in pregnancy may sometimes be seen, but it could be an indication something is wrong; same with fever.

Sorry this happened to you. Glad things worked out with the baby, and hope you enjoy a problem-free future cruise with your little one.

 

[mom_rules]

In March our cruise stopped off of Freeport on our at sea day to let off a Medical Emergency (I think it was a broken arm/dislocated shoulder). They informed us that a tug would be tendering to pick up the emergency and take them to Freeport and they would then be flown to Florida for care.

 

[wonderfan]

Better to be safe than sorry that's always my philisophy -- especially when you are out at sea and you can't get to a "multi-skilled" ER quickly -- think of some of the ports of call you were headed to -- you certainly could have gotten worse medical attention in those places than on the ship (IMHO). Thankfully you were still in US territory.

I'm a bit wacky anyway, but, I probably would have hoped that they wouldn't let me sail and made me disembark (with the promise of re-booking free of charge, of course) -- I would have been totally preoccupied with the pregnancy the whole time and been hard-pressed to enjoy myself. I had a similar experience with one of my pregnancies and I didn't rest easy until I went back for a couple follow-up appts. thank god I was on land and didn't have to worry about being in some off-shore location had it gotten worse.

Not to mention, that if something did go wrong on the ship after getting clearance by DCL -- Yikes -- imagine that .....

It's impossible to expect that DCL (or any cruise line) would have a doctor that is certified in every specialty available ....

 

[cjsmith]

They actually have a helicopter pad next to the bowling alley on Deck 9...actually judging by looking at the ship and etc. There would be no physical place for a helicopter to land. There are too many wires and objects placed together for something like that.

OK, where's the bowling alley?!!!!

 

[cjsmith]

Hey, We had a horrific experience with the cruise docs. My wife had an obstetrical concern at 12 weeks of pregnancy which turned into a disembarkation at key west. My wife was fine evaluated by ER all day and cleared by not only the ER Doc but her own OB as requested by ships doc and we were still disembarked. The lack of knowlege in the department of womens health was obvious. Though my wife had some minor bleeding he was more concerned about her low grade fever that is normal for pregnant women. I am a career firefighter/Paramedic and do not even pretend to know everything there is to know, but I was aware of the higher basular temp of pregnant women coupled with being bundled up under covers all night. When I told him of my concern he blew it off. After uncovering my wife and taking her temp it was miraculously back to normal. After eval be ER and phone consult with OB both Docs were not even sure why we were sent to the ER. They said my wife was having normal pregnancy symptoms. The ship Doc did not even look at the ER Docs evaluation. A simple concern of ours got us kicked off the ship. After complaining to VAnter Health, they blew us off. After complaining to disney we recieved a full credit for future cruise. Booked for 5-20-06. We had a bad experience. They are in general emergency medicine Docs. They can handle most emergencies, but there lack of knowlege in certain areas is obvious.

While it can be normal to have some bleeing in pregnancy, it can also turn into something else. I bleed with my first pregnancy lightly at 12 weeks. Neither the OB or the ER could find anything wrong, strong heartbeat. I started again at 16 1/2 weeks and this time around lost the baby. Though I'm very sorry that they made you leave the ship, I'm sure they were doing what they thought was right. Wouldn't it have been worse if it didn't turn out to be normal pregnancy symptoms and something went wrong while you were in Mexico. Be happy that everything turned out beautifully for you.
Enjoy your next cruise.

 

[Jen in MA]

We just arrived home today from the Magic. Last night at around 2am, there was a medical emergency onboard. They came over the intercom with "Bright Star, Bright Star" then the zone and stateroom number. Since it was on our floor, we peeked out to see what was going on. Lots of crew running and carrying medical equipment to the room, including a AED (defibulator). I assume the person was having a heart attack. Several officers, including Capt. Thord rushed to the room as well. After about 30-45 minutes, we saw them bring the passenger on a stretcher down to the elevator. Couldn't tell if the person was alive or not. We were almost back to Port Canaveral (maybe 2-3 more hours). Another guest reported seeing the passenger being taken off the ship as soon as it docked and loaded into an ambulance, but I didn't see it. I'm just hoping the person made it and is okay.

 

[cookielulu]

Hi Jen in Ma! We were on the same cruise and same floor as the medical emergency as you. We were in roon 6580.

I was sleeping so well and then heard that annnouncement and heard people running down the hall. My dh husband got up and peeked out the door and saw lots of people.

I couldn't go back to sleep so I kept listening and heard them leave after about 40 min. We saw Dononvan - our room steward the next morning and he said the passenger was OK. Thank goodness!! That was an awful way to end the cruise for that family.

 

[Jen in MA]

Cookielulu - Glad to hear that the person was okay... We were in 6076. We didn't fall back to sleep after the incident either. I'm so relieved to hear the passenger is okay.

 

[kat3668]

Hi all!
I myself have been on a cruise with many medical emergencies,
My first cruise out of Boston on the Norweigen Majesty to Bermuda we were just 3 hours out of Boston and it was getting very windy (little did we know we were heading towards a tropical storm) ( the captain knew though lol)
There was a little boy on the top deck who had 2 fingers cut off when they were slammed in a door due to wind. very sad for the poor kid and family In the same time frame some guy had a heart attack on the ship, we were walking around exploring the ship when we heard this wicked noise!!! It was a helecopter to transport the injured back to Boston for medical treatment.. they were very efficient and i never worried while onboard. We had another poor guy break his leg as he just got off the ship to rent a scooter, drove right into a wall UGH!!!! I guess i've seen my share lol~~ Kat3668

 

[alwayslisad]

After reading all 5 pages - I wonder what scenario's presented cause the Ship to return to PORT - and what scenario's would cause a Helicopter to land.

I read on a board that someone was upset that a medical emergency caused an excursion to be delayed or missed due to a medical emergency - in my opinion - there would be nothing Disney can do in situations like this - correct? I would gather my first and foremost thought would be the person(s) that were injured or ill.

Since I am a NEWBIE when it comes to cruises- I thought I would ask thanks all

 

[AdventureGuru]

Dis Nurse...I know how you feel. I am an advanced emt and so is my BF. I never have personally witnessed anyone sick or injured while at the parks...I did see someone on CC taken care of in the infirmary while I walked by. They seem more than well prepared to take care of anything.
I spent sometime with the RN on CC prior to the incident. He let me walk around the First Aide office and answered any questions I had. All of the RNs on CC are contracted out...Disney does not employ them directly. Some of the other questions I asked...You can not land a helicopter on the ship-but CC does have a landing pad and will med-evac pts to Miami. They have all of the equipment a BLS ambulance would have on a golf cart...it was really kind of cool to ask questions...they were more than willing to answer them.

 

[pediatric-rnp]

We had another poor guy break his leg as he just got off the ship to rent a scooter, drove right into a wall UGH!!!! I guess i've seen my share lol~~ Kat3668

This wouldn't have been last summer by chance, would it? My DS's HS principal and his wife went on a cruise to Bermuda, to celebrate their 25th wedding anniv, and this is what happended to him - he ended up in King Edward Hosp in Bermuda, and then I think had to make other arrangements to come back home - I think he had surgery there before leaving.

 

[afoss]

I witnessed a helicopter airlift on RCCL a few years ago. A man had a heart attack. He was lifted up on a stretcher and then they brought the basket down for the wife/luggage. They did have to drain the pool and the ship was stopped for about 3 hours. Just hope everything turned out OK for them

 

[Suz D]

Just another huge hooray for NICU nurses! Our DD was 454 grams at birth (just about 1 pound) and had a pulmonary (lung) hemmorhage at 3 days. After 87 days in the NICU we brought her home weighing 3 lb. 4 oz. and 15 inches long . She's now a darling (but tiny) 9 year old who will be going on her first cruise (4 night Wonder) over New Year's Eve. God Bless NICU nurses everywhere!! We couldn't have made it through without them.

Suz

 

[DIS NURSE]

After 12 long hours in the NICU today (training a "new" nurse ) came home exhausted and just relaxing in front of the DIS boards.....you brought a smile to my face (above poster, SUZ D) and goosebumps on my arms....I guess all those long hours and emotional rollercoasters I experience along with the parents of these critically ill children still does make a difference! I know that deep down, but reading your post brings that to light! Thank you......we had to ship out a 26 weeker today to have emergent laser eye surgery because her retinas will start to detatch if this surgery doesn't work.....the parents said a long tearful goodbye to their 600 gramer after just 49 days on this place we call Earth.

Your ex-454 gramer is a true inspiration to me and I hope she continues to reach for the stars! I can now go to work tomorrow and say, "I know of an ex-454 gramer who is going on a Disney Cruise......and she's blessed to SEE all the MAGIC/WONDER around her!

Give her a hug for me...she is a true miracle!

Sincerely, DIS NURSE from Oregon

 

[jillane88]

For all the posts listed prior, this is the reason we purchased travel insurance. Our DD continues to baffle the specialists and gets sick with "wierd" things a lot. We bought the ins. just in case something happens while onboard or even just before the cruise (if we had to cancel at the last minute). Of course I hope and pray nothing happens and that this will be the best vacation ever.

DIS NURSE: Kudos to you! My twins were in the NICU (At St. V's in Portland) for two weeks. My DD has been at Doernbecher twice in the last year. Are you at Emmanual, ST. V's, or OHSU?

Heather
5/06 Western
5/03 Disneyland

 

[DIS NURSE]

None of those places....over the mountains and through the woods in awesome Bend! Use to Neonatal transport though to all of those Portland NICU's. I work with two new hires here who just came from St.V's....they possibly took care of your little ones. My very best friend still works at St.V's and she may have also. Small world.
I hope everything works out with your daughter(s) and you have a fabulous cruise!

 

[kat3668]

Hi yes it was last year around July 13th although from what I hear it happens alot!
They are not kidding when they say those scooters are dangerous!! I barely made it out without a crash either lol! Kathy

 

[jillane88]

None of those places....over the mountains and through the woods in awesome Bend!

We LOVE Bend! Over 1/2 of my family lives there and we spend lots of time over there. Are you part of the "panda team?" Or do they call it something else over there?

Heather

 

[DIS NURSE]

Air Life Of Oregon....one heli and three fixed wing airplanes for LOTS of transports! Only Trauma Center and NICU east of the Cascades! We are busy and booming in growth! Good job security I guess ....keeps the funding going for future Disney Cruises!

The "Panda" team is our direct competator! BOO, HIS!