1/8 magic medical emergency evacuation

[Tarquin]

On the 1/8 magic, on Pirate Nite, the ship had to turn around and go back to St. Martin because of a medical emergency- the ambulance was waiting at port- We later heard that after the evacuation, the ship had to quickly move back out to sea , with 4 minutes to spare, so that the fireworks could be sent off-
We felt so bad for whoever got evacuated, what a way to take a vacation-

Does anyone know any details as to exactly what went on? we were hoping that perhaps the ship doctor was just playing it safe w/someone

Cathy M.

 

[mommasita]

I have no idea, just wanted to offer up some prayer for whoever it was and their family, hopefully you are right, and they were just playing it safe....

 

[Skywalker]

Yes, that was freaky. It would be nice to hear the result. I was a little stunned when I realized we were pulling back into St. Martin - thought I was seeing things. LOL.

But then, this cruise was a little bizarre at the beginning too - how about that jam up at the terminal due to the bomb scare???

Anyway, I really hope the person and their family are doing all right.

 

[dizneetravelagent]

Just wanted to add a little bit to the story. While we were at dinner in Parrot Cay, I suddenly felt like my chair was being pulled backwards as if the ship were making a sharp left turn. Almost immediately, an announcement came over the intercom system stating that we were, in fact returning to St.Maarten for an emergency evacuation. We were also informed in our dining room that our head server had to be flown off of the island due to a death in his immediate family. After dinner that night, we went up to deck 10 to watch the captain dock the ship in St. Maarten. We were met by the Coast Guard, several other officials, and an ambulance soon followed. We watched the woman being taken off of the ship, along with her family. We were later told that she had a minor stroke. We also had to leave a fellow in St.Thomas with a bad allergic, asthmatic reaction. He had been having trouble during the entire trip. It was an eventful cruise, to say the least....but we enjoyed it sooooo much.

 

[lbgraves]

That can cause quite a stir on the ship & make you realize how far from home you really are. On our cruise in 2003 we had to detour to an island chain on the sea day after St. Thomas to have a medical boat meet us to evacuate a man who had been in the clinic for 2 days. He had finally been upgraded enough to leave the ship. I felt terrible for his family.

 

[leahvonleah]

DId anyone happen to hear anything about the incident at Castaway Cay? My MIL was returning the snorkel equipment when lifeguards were being radioed for assistance out in the water. The next day when we were collecting our luggage with the porters, she ran into a gentleman that said his son was bit in the shoulder by something while snorkeling. Broke the skin but no other tissue damage. DIdnt know if anyone else knew anything. That is scary, especially since my 8 yo and husband were out there!

 

[jlima]

On my first cruise in July 01 a passenger was evacuated by helicopter to a Miami hospital, on the Friday at CC. Evidently this person had a heart attack at about 4:30 in the afternoon, and due to weather the helicopter didn't come until after 9:30pm. It pushed everything back, including docking the next morning and disembarking. Passengers didn't leave the ship until after 10:30am & our DCL bus pulled out of the parking lot at 11:15.

 

[mmouse37]

Jilma....we were also on that cruise. We were dining in Palo and looking out over Castaway Cay at 9:00 pm!!!

We were also on the cruise in August of '03 that stopped to offer aid to a group of refugees stranded in a small boat who had no water or food. That was very scary....to realize some people have a completely different life than ours and to get away from it they would be willing to be out in the ocean with no water/food in a small row boat.

MJ

 

[marylee15]

That was quite a start to the cruise with the incident in the parking lot and then the woman being taken off for the medical emergency, I felt so bad, My DH, DS and I had just left the theatre after seeing "The Incredibles" when the annoucement came over and my DS and I went back to our stateroom, my DH went back up on deck (a smoker) and he said everyone was looking over the railing, I felt so bad what a sad way to end the vacation and then we heard about Simon the head server had to leave the ship because of a personal problem at home. He was so nice to us, my DS is allergic to nuts and peanuts and Simon went way out of his way, providing nut free bread and playing games and magic tricks on him. Our servers too were wonderful Godwin and Svet. Disney has so much going for them in their staff.

 

[dizneetravelagent]

We were told that the child was bitten by a barracuda. Marylee, what table were you sitting at? We were at table 56.

Penny

 

[ivanova]

and people wonder why I buy travel insurance!! Prayers & pixie dust to the families involved, hoping all went well, everyone is okay, and that they indeed had medical & evacuation insurance.

 

[mmouse37]

Not to scare anyone, but my son caught this barracuda off of CC on our Jan 6, 2005 Wonder cruise. We were at CC on the 8th of Jan.

This was on the fishing excursion offered at CC. I do not believe anything this size could have found it's way into the snorkeling area because DCL does have a net around the beach/snorkel area. But we all must remember CC is a real live island with real live wildlife out there....I guess anything could potentially happen.

Hope the person is OK.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/249426676/249474222AlSnQN

MJ

 

[florida sun]

This reminds me of when we were on the 4 night cruise August 22nd 04, we had to make an Emergency stop at Freeport and a sick person was stretchered off with a companion who looked very distressed. We were in Freeport for about 1/2 hour or so. We never did find out what happened to this person, but I hope everything turned out alright for them in the end.

I agree with ivanova, I always purchase travel insurence as you just never know, and for the extra dollars it's costs, it has got to be worth it just for peace of mind.

 

[slabeaume]

I can personally tell you that emergency evacuations aren't any fun. My dad (72) and I (47) were evacuated last Feb. after my Dad almost drowned on a snorkel excursion from CC. In his case, we shoved off CC at the scheduled time and a tug boat met us at sea. From the tug boat, we went to Freeport where we met a Lear Medevac jet and taken to Ft. Lauderdale. The whole process took 9 hours---8 of which he was unconscious. After spending 5 nights in the hospital, he fully recovered.

We were back on Disney last week. This time we had a much better experience!

Speaking of CC waters----I did see a barracuda while snorkeling in the adult area last week. I also saw an octopus (really surprising since they're usually nocturnal), a flounder, other assorted small fish, and even a couple jellyfish. I was surprised to see jellyfish this time of the year, but they were there! As for the barracuda---I've often seen barracuda while snorkeling (in Cayman Islands and Hawaii), they've always left us alone. I've even gotten pictures of a couple of them.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Speaking of CC waters----I did see a barracuda while snorkeling in the adult area last week. I also saw an octopus (really surprising since they're usually nocturnal), a flounder, other assorted small fish, and even a couple jellyfish. I was surprised to see jellyfish this time of the year, but they were there! As for the barracuda---I've often seen barracuda while snorkeling (in Cayman Islands and Hawaii), they've always left us alone. I've even gotten pictures of a couple of them.

I also saw a jellyfish in early January. It was in the snorkeling area though, not at the adult beach. Haven't noticed the barracuda, but I do know that they are attracted to shiny things. Hope everyone is all right.

 

[dizneetravelagent]

Sue,

Would you believe that my husband left his Cardinal hat at home? Things got a little chaotic as we were getting ready to leave, and he left the hat sitting on the sofa. Then, when we got on the ship, I suffered severely at the hands of the rough seas. Fortunately, my aunt had some of those "miracle" patches that she shared with my husband and myself. By the third day, we were like new. However, I did miss the Dis"meet". I believe I was probably taking one of my many naps that day. I hated feeling bad. When I get some extra time, I'm going to write a trip report. We had an absolutely fabulous trip. I hope you did as well.

GO CARDINALS

Penny

 

[LoveMyBaby]

I have seen barracuda on the vast majority of snorkeling trips I have done over the years in the Caribbean, including off Cancun, Cozumel, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, as well as Castaway Cay. They have never bothered me, and I usually get a great picture. I have never thought much of them, since they are so prevalent. I guess I will be more careful after hearing someone actually got bitten!

 

[lillygator]

You never know what is lurking beneath those waters. I think people see how beautiful it is and forget that it is the ocean and just about anything could be out there.

We live off Siesta Key (Gulf) in Florida and quite often we have had Hammerheads beached on the sandbar right in front of us.....always makes me shudder!! Especially since I have usually just been out collecting sanddollars!

 

[Sue Sullivan]

Poor Simon,

He was our Head Waiter in Nov and he was so wonderful.

 

[marylee15]

Dizneetravel agent I was at table 42 first seating. I had Godwin and Svet as my servers. I just cannot say enough about our Disney Cruise. It was the trip of a lifetime but not really because my DH just last night said oh, honey have you booked again already? I was floored, my DH is not someone who likes to do the same things over but he said once he got on the ship he did not have anything to worry about it was like here I am and he felt he was treated like a king. He even said it just seems like no one (the guests) were in any frantic hurry or cutting lines or anything it just seemed like everyone was so patient.

As for sea life at CC my husband saw this fish in the water and I totally freaked I was like get me my float and my husband knew something was bothering me and he was laughing because I was so trying to get into the tube float he said whats wrong and I said "Nemo" is following me. He thought it was so funny but I tell you that fish was following me. Even last night when we were talking about it he was hysterical. I loved CC but I would be very reluctant to go in the water again. I live in the Ocean state and I don't really swim in the water here either but as with everything they do CC was perfect. I have not stopped talking about it. Have a good weekend all.

Marylee

P.S. we were on the Parrot Cay, Lumieres, Animators Palate rotation. Palo was awesome too.