Cruising with Cancer

[mzspaz]

We have an upcoming cruise on the Fantasy and this will be my first cruise, actually my first extensive trip, since I received my Leukemia diagnosis in 2020. My form of Leukemia is not common and can't be cured. However it can be managed and my disease is considered stable. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia is often considered the "good cancer" because it can be treated with a pill. So I take a targeted chemo pill twice a day.

Overall I feel okay. I do have some side effects from the medication such as fatigue, nausea, muscle weakness but I try to push through and live as normal of a life as possible.

One of the concerns that just popped into my head is the waivers for port excursions and other general activities. I am hoping I don't run into any issues since I am considered "in treatment" and taking medication. Will it be enough to have a letter from my Doctor stating that she has cleared me to participate in activities?

Just looking for some feedback from others that may have encountered this? Thanks!!!!

 

[lanejudy]

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis but glad you are well enough to be considered stable.

I don't recall any waivers that would exclude a person treating a chronic condition -- and that's how I would consider it. But that could depend on the specific port adventure. If you think it may be a problem, I'd contact the vendor to ask about their restrictions or maybe you can find a waiver online. Otherwise, there should be no need to disclose your actual diagnosis or treatment protocol as long as you can manage it without impact to the excursion, and it sounds like that is the case. Maybe in advance discuss with your doctor the types of port excursions you plan to do.

 

[Mango7100]

I don’t see a reason for you to disclose your diagnosis as long as it doesn’t affect your ability to go on the excursion. And you can judge better what you can physically tolerate. DH has a congenital heart condition for which he is on medications. He can go on most excursions, but we know that a strenuous hiking one is not for us since it’s too tiring. But we have done zipline adventures just fine. He has never disclosed it on a form—I think the forms are their attempt to not get you to sue if something happens. It’s kind of like how pretty much every ride at Disney has some disclosure about not riding if you have any ailment—its a coverage for them but nobody pays attention to them

 

[DisneYE]

I don't have any feedback about this but I will echo what @Mango7100 said above and just don't disclose anything as long as you are OK with a particular port adventure.

I Wish you all the best, hope your condition improves and...just go on that cruise.
Go on as many cruises as you possibly can. I especially recommend a Panama Canal sailing. They are amazing, a life changing experience. The last WBPC we took this past March still brings tears to my eyes if I pause and reflect on the incredible time we had.

 

[auntlynne]

I’m fairly sure those waivers are for the protection of the vendor - you are waiving your right to sue them if something goes wrong because of your medical condition.

Cruising is a lovely way to travel when you get fatigued easily. Your room is never far away. There us essentially nothing you have to do. You can look out on the ocean, watch the sunsets. No cooking, no dishes. No tiring rides in the car (other than to/from the cruise).

Bon Voyage!

 

[John VN]

We have an upcoming cruise on the Fantasy and this will be my first cruise, actually my first extensive trip, since I received my Leukemia diagnosis in 2020. ..............................

One of the concerns that just popped into my head is the waivers for port excursions and other general activities. I am hoping I don't run into any issues since I am considered "in treatment" and taking medication. Will it be enough to have a letter from my Doctor stating that she has cleared me to participate in activities? ............................

r.e. - bold 7.5years since my diagnosis, cruised before and lots since and NEVER came across a waiver that questioned my abilities due to cancer.

ENJOY THE CRUISE

 

[mzspaz]

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis but glad you are well enough to be considered stable.

I don't recall any waivers that would exclude a person treating a chronic condition -- and that's how I would consider it. But that could depend on the specific port adventure. If you think it may be a problem, I'd contact the vendor to ask about their restrictions or maybe you can find a waiver online. Otherwise, there should be no need to disclose your actual diagnosis or treatment protocol as long as you can manage it without impact to the excursion, and it sounds like that is the case. Maybe in advance discuss with your doctor the types of port excursions you plan to do.

Thank you! We are doing the Dolphin Experience at Coral World and I pulled up the waiver from their site. There is a question on there asking about blood disorders and whether you are on medication. That is what brought this question to mind. I also know that in the Spa they ask if you have any medical conditions. I have a message in to my Hematologist to go over this and see if I can possibly get a letter from her stating that I am stable and able to participate.

I don’t see a reason for you to disclose your diagnosis as long as it doesn’t affect your ability to go on the excursion. And you can judge better what you can physically tolerate. DH has a congenital heart condition for which he is on medications. He can go on most excursions, but we know that a strenuous hiking one is not for us since it’s too tiring. But we have done zipline adventures just fine. He has never disclosed it on a form—I think the forms are their attempt to not get you to sue if something happens. It’s kind of like how pretty much every ride at Disney has some disclosure about not riding if you have any ailment—its a coverage for them but nobody pays attention to them

I don't mind disclosing my condition. I have learned that being open about it helps me connect with others that live with this disease. Only 8000 cases of this are diagnosed each year in the US and most of it is in older people.

That is a good point about the forms as a "cover their butt" tool!

I don't have any feedback about this but I will echo what @Mango7100 said above and just don't disclose anything as long as you are OK with a particular port adventure.

I Wish you all the best, hope your condition improves and...just go on that cruise.
Go on as many cruises as you possibly can. I especially recommend a Panama Canal sailing. They are amazing, a life changing experience. The last WBPC we took this past March still brings tears to my eyes if I pause and reflect on the incredible time we had.

Thank you! I am blessed that it was caught early and that I responded well to the treatment. It's been an adjustment but it has also brought about some positives.

I’m fairly sure those waivers are for the protection of the vendor - you are waiving your right to sue them if something goes wrong because of your medical condition.

Cruising is a lovely way to travel when you get fatigued easily. Your room is never far away. There us essentially nothing you have to do. You can look out on the ocean, watch the sunsets. No cooking, no dishes. No tiring rides in the car (other than to/from the cruise).

Bon Voyage!

That is what I am looking forward to. Our last cruise was March 2020, right before the shut down. I was in the beginning stages of the Leukemia, just hadn't been officially diagnosed.

r.e. - bold 7.5years since my diagnosis, cruised before and lots since and NEVER came across a waiver that questioned my abilities due to cancer.

ENJOY THE CRUISE

Thank you! Counting down the days!!