Compensation after returning from cruise?

[CindysFriend]

We recently got home from our cruise. Two days into our 7-night cruise our daughter was put in isolation due to her being very sick and needing to see the onboard doctor 3 different times. They gave her IV fluids and IV nausea and diarrhea meds, as well as meds to take orally.

We weren't charged for medical services because I think they realized that she got ill while on the cruise, or maybe they just don't charge for these types of illnesses anyway. It was diagnosed as "acute gastroenteritis". Only she was quarantined but she was so sick that she needed someone (me) to care for her. My DH and DS did some activities on their own, but it wasn't the family vacation we planned and paid for.

We didn't purchase travel insurance for this trip. I know... dumb move.

Has DCL ever compensated anyone for having missed so much of their cruise due to getting extremely ill while onboard? We rebooked the southern Caribbean cruise Jan '18 while on this cruise to get the discount and OBC.

Have they ever issued a monetary compensation or even a next cruise credit or anything? I just don't know whether it's worth sending an email or not. I will definitely buy travel insurance for all future trips.

 

[mmouse37]

How would they know if she picked up the virus while onboard, especially since she got ill so soon into the cruise? Is is possible she picked up the virus before you actually started the cruise? Some of these types of viruses have a 24-48 hour incubation period. Did you hear of anyone else onboard who was sick with this? If a large majority of the ship was sick they might do something but if it was just your daughter chances are they won't compensate you. They encourage people to purchase travel insurance.

I am not trying to discourage you, just trying to play devil's advocate. Sorry your DD got sick. That is no way to start off a vacation.

MJ

 

[squirk]

We recently got home from our cruise. Two days into our 7-night cruise our daughter was put in isolation due to her being very sick and needing to see the onboard doctor 3 different times. They gave her IV fluids and IV nausea and diarrhea meds, as well as meds to take orally.

We weren't charged for medical services because I think they realized that she got ill while on the cruise, or maybe they just don't charge for these types of illnesses anyway. It was diagnosed as "acute gastroenteritis". Only she was quarantined but she was so sick that she needed someone (me) to care for her. My DH and DS did some activities on their own, but it wasn't the family vacation we planned and paid for.

We didn't purchase travel insurance for this trip. I know... dumb move.

Has DCL ever compensated anyone for having missed so much of their cruise due to getting extremely ill while onboard? We rebooked the southern Caribbean cruise Jan '18 while on this cruise to get the discount and OBC.

Have they ever issued a monetary compensation or even a next cruise credit or anything? I just don't know whether it's worth sending an email or not. I will definitely buy travel insurance for all future trips.

Well, I don't see how it could hurt to ask, but as @mmouse37 pointed out, unless there was, like, a mass outbreak of stomach flu on the ship, this is likely all on you, unfortunately.

Did you pay for the cruise with a credit card that might offer some sort of limited coverage? A long shot, I know.

 

[richmo]

Sorry your daughter got sick. I hope she recovered nicely. Sounds like a case of incredibly bad timing.

I wouldn't discourage you from writing a letter, but I don't honestly think you're entitled to any compensation from Disney. Maybe if you're lucky, you'll get a small OBC for next time. I wouldn't even count on that.

I don't know all the ins and outs of travel insurance, but I don't think you'd get reimbursed if you had it. You would likely get reimbursed if you missed the cruise due to your DD's illness, but you were on the ship and you did take the cruise. I don't think you'd get reimbursed in that case, either.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I agree with the previous posters. It can't hurt to send an email, but I doubt they would compensate you. I would say you were lucky they didn't bill you for the medical services.

 

[loves to dive]

Another agreement with others, I doubt that they are going to reimburse you anything. Hard to prove she got it on board and it was just bad luck. I've been on a number of vacations where I spent the majority of them either in the bed being sick or injured. Sucks but not much you can do about it.

 

[CindysFriend]

Thank you for the replies. You're all right; at least they did not charge for the medical expenses. I know that our medical insurance would've covered it once we got home, and I know we would've had to pay upfront what probably would've been a fairly high charge, based on previous experience with DCL medical department.

She got sick about 62 hours after stepping onboard and I strongly believe she did catch something on the ship. But this isn't something that I want to "fight" with DCL over. Doing that would only increase the unpleasant memories we have from this cruise.

It took a couple of weeks for her to get her strength back, but she's fine now, and that's what's important. Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

P.S. I want to add that the doctor and nurses were extremely professional and seemingly very caring and concerned. They made several follow-up calls to our cabin to check on her and to provide additional medication for her. Everyone on board who we came into contact with due to her illness could not have been nicer or more helpful. The CMs at Guest Services are the ones who provided her with frozen electrolyte ice pops. They always did so with a smile and would not accept a tip when I offered it.

My only minor complaint is when I ordered PowerAde and Gingerale from room service, they argued a little with me about charging me, even after I explained to them that the DOCTOR told me to tell them she was under his care and that these beverages would be provided to her at no charge from room service. Of course we paid for sodas for the rest of us, and tipped the delivery person as well.

 

[squirk]

My only minor complaint is when I ordered PowerAde and Gingerale from room service, they argued a little with me about charging me, even after I explained to them that the DOCTOR told me to tell them she was under his care and that these beverages would be provided to her at no charge from room service. Of course we paid for sodas for the rest of us, and tipped the delivery person as well.

They weren't charging you for the medical care you knew you probably should have been fronting out of pocket, and yet you argued over paying for her Powerade and ginger ale?

Further, even if your daughter caught a bug while on the ship, I don't see how that could be attributed as Disney's liability without anything else to support it. Disney is not responsible for every illness that may have been contracted on the ship, are they? I mean, maybe someone sneezed onto the elevator buttons or something.

 

[kdogfister]

Went through similar on our Eastern this past summer on the Fantasy. I agree it is unlikely that you will get any form of compensation, but I doubt even travel insurance would have compensated you in any way, other than medical costs, so don't kick yourself in that regard.

Speaking of medical costs, the ships medical staff was incredible for us and identical experiences with Pedialyte and the run-around with room service charging. I found stating the facts when ordering solved the charging problem, rather than waiting until delivery to the room. Two other things;

One, the doctor informed us they were not allowed to jail us and charge us for it (her words). So, if you are quarantined, it appears Disney will not also bill you for the medical services associated with it. Otherwise, I'm sure many would forego treatment and potentially expose others.

Two, we got a wonderful note from the captain explaining who was in quarantine (my 3YO son) and when he could leave quarantine (24 hours after last episode). It outlined what items we would receive at no cost, specifically; dry cleaning of any soiled clothing, meals and soda via room service (I did clarify this applied to a caretaker as well) and that DCL would allow us to cancel, without penalty, our next day's excursion. Our quarantine ended about an hour after our planned excursion left, so we could not have gone and I cancelled and then just did a tour on our own. They also let me change our daughter to an excursion with other family members or she would have been stuck with us.

Overall, I missed a sea day on our cruise which I was sad about, but incredibly pleased with the medical staff and the overall process. More important to ensure everyone else's health (ship's doctor suggested a bad outbreak could drydock the ship) than haul a sick child around in the heat.

Glad to hear yours is back to health.

 

[aidtrismommy]

I don't think anybody is responsible for your child getting sick therefore I don't think compensation should be paid. People get sick all the time. People come into contact with bacteria and viruses in all types of places, it doesn't mean each place is now responsible to compensate someone. I agree with PP who stated it was simply bad timing. Your daughter received medical services and medication free of charge: three visits, IV medication, oral medication, and what sounds like many follow-up phone calls/assessments. I'm sure your regular insurance would have covered the majority of this if it happened at home, but you may or may not have had an ER copay and other costs associated with the illness. You would have had to buy your own Gatorade if this happened at home. Write an email if you wish, but I think Disney has already "compensated" you far and beyond.

 

[cheribelle]

I feel your pain. On the way home from our Fantasy Cruise last year, my little one got very ill. Throwing up and the works. It only got worse from there and she was hospitalized a week later and diagnosed with the parasite Cryptosporidium. My son was ill too but was able to fight it off. But she was little and became severely dehydrated. Three other members (kids) in a party we traveled with also became sick with it too.

This parasite is something you catch in the water, possible cause being fecal matter in a pool. We were only with the other party on the cruise, no excursions, no contact before or after the cruise. That being said, it means my daughter could only have caught this on the cruise.

Now I called Disney Cruise to report it and make them aware of what happened. In the end, they did absolutely nothing for us. Hundreds and hundreds of dollars spent in copays and they would not reimburse us for anything. My daughter missed the first two weeks of school, lost a lot of weight and it was just a scary ordeal of being in the hospital.

I realized months later I may have been able to use travel insurance but just didn't think at the time.

I still feel she caught the parasite in the pool being that someone was always having an accident in it. The pool was constantly being closed for cleaning. I wish parents would follow the rules about their children being potty trained for the pools. (Yes your kid may have a good time for a while but look at what could happen!).

In the end I am disappointed that Disney couldn't help us pay for some of these expenses. They are not required, I know. But I thought it might be a nice gesture on their part. I didn't ask for any discount for our next cruise and they didn't offer.

But it's all over and thankfully my little one is fine. Took a good month for her to be back to normal. And we are planning a nice Christmas Cruise this year. But I will not let her in the pools.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I realized months later I may have been able to use travel insurance but just didn't think at the time.

It may still not be too late to use your trip insurance. Give them a call. If you have the documentation, you may yet be able to file a claim.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Truthfully, I think DCL handled it perfectly. They didn't charge for medical care. There is absolutely no proof Disney did anything wrong to cause the illness. As you already stated, you should have bought travel insurance. I got sick on a Viking cruise and missed a day in port but never once did I think I should ask for a refund nor did I claim it on my travel insurance. Just the nature of the beast when traveling unfortunately.

 

[MunFam]

I'm sorry your kiddo got sick. We had a HORRIBLE cruise in 2015 on DCL...it was an everything going wrong type of a situation and the "wrong" was a direct result of DCL staff...when we got home I called them, in addition to listing out the issues we had on our comment card. My "compensation" was a discount if we sailed with them again. But, the offenses were just too much and we have opted to not use the discount. They almost killed our kid and that was just one of the issues. Your kiddo got a stomach bug, so if it took them almost killing our kid, ruined formal wear, a housekeeper that would not get us ice or fresh towels (ever), etc...and our compensation was a coupon for a minor discount on a full priced cruise within one year, I would bet that your chances of getting something out of them is slim to none.

 

[wombat_5606]

@CindysFriend were you on the Fantasy? I posted on another thread where they thought their child got food poisoning. Now I'm wondering....

 

[Dug720]

@CindysFriend were you on the Fantasy? I posted on another thread where they thought their child got food poisoning. Now I'm wondering....

But that kid was not quarantined and was better the next morning.

 

[bumbershoot]

I wish parents would follow the rules about their children being potty trained for the pools.

Anyone can have an accident. Can't speak for cruiseship pools, but the people at my YMCA say that accidents that cause pools to close are caused by adults far more often than by kids.

 

[wombat_5606]

But that kid was not quarantined and was better the next morning.

Yes, I'm assuming that kid is still on the cruise. This child may have been on the previous one.

 

[mevelandry]

My worst nightmare... (and the reason why we take probiotics and ETEC vaccine before/during every cruise!)

I doubt you'll get a compensation but I wanted to say I'm sorry it happened to you (hope your DD is okay now) and as somebody mentionned, you could always check with your credit card company to see if you were covered for your trip (some companies offer coverage as long as you book and pay your trip with the credit card). That's a long shot since it did not cause an interruption of your trip but who knows.

 

[Dug720]

Yes, I'm assuming that kid is still on the cruise. This child may have been on the previous one.

Ah.