Cruising with health issues

[queenofheartsfan]

My sister is a cancer survivor - thankfully doing very well. However, because of several abdominal surgeries she sometimes has issues with diarrhea and vomiting. Doesn't last long, but could be a couple of hours. She has a Disney cruise on her bucket list. How do people with IBS and other health issues handle these problems? We don't want Disney Cruise line to think it is a virus. Would a doctors note help? We are only going to do a 4 night if we cruise. He oncologist is all for it.
Thanks for any advice!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

My sister is a cancer survivor - thankfully doing very well. However, because of several abdominal surgeries she sometimes has issues with diarrhea and vomiting. Doesn't last long, but could be a couple of hours. She has a Disney cruise on her bucket list. How do people with IBS and other health issues handle these problems? We don't want Disney Cruise line to think it is a virus. Would a doctors note help? We are only going to do a 4 night if we cruise. He oncologist is all for it.
Thanks for any advice!

I have IBS-D and I just had my gallbladder out in December, adding to the "joy" [sarc] of my digestive issues. I feel very different when I have a gastrointestinal virus versus the IBS or gallbladder issues. I had noro in November and knew immediately it was a virus. So when answering the health questionnaire, I don't respond yes to the question about having diarrhea if I've only had issues related to my regular problems. Since my regular problems only occur immediately after eating, I often head back to my stateroom after a meal until I'm sure I won't have any issues. There's never been a situation where anyone other than me or my daughter would know what's happening so it's never been an issue with any of the crew members.

If it makes you feel better, bring a note from the doctor. But it's not like crew members are on the hunt for people with these problems. If anyone questions her, they would likely just accept her explanation and move on.

 

[bumbershoot]

First, make sure she buys travel insurance with the "pre existing condition waiver" the moment she books. She needs to make sure that if anything happens that could remotely be linked to her previous health problems that she would be covered if the cruise is cancelled or interrupted. I'm not sure dcl insurance has that.

 

[xlxo]

Disney cruise on her bucket list

Has she mentioned which itinerary?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm not sure dcl insurance has that.

It doesn't.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I have IBD and cope on the cruise just fine but the insurance cover PP mentioned is important. The crew are very helpful and I have never been made to feel I have a virus. I think she will love the cruise. I am also in a wheelchair so if I can enjoy it I know she will. There are lots of disabled toilets where you don't have to share around the ship. Just learn where they are!

 

[Dug720]

Also, if you need to wear Depends (or similar), they will not bat an eye if you ask for a Diaper Genie. My dad needs them since he had prostrate cancer surgery and our cabin steward did not blink when he asked for one.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Also, if you need to wear Depends (or similar), they will not bat an eye if you ask for a Diaper Genie. My dad needs them since he had prostrate cancer surgery and our cabin steward did not blink when he asked for one.

Thank you for posting this. We are cruising in a couple weeks with my dad who has had both prostate cancer and bladder cancer. I think this information will be very helpful for my parents.

 

[wilkeliza]

Bring a letter from her oncologist. If she is "reported" for the diarrhea or throwing up the ship board doctor will come examine her. I'm sure once she explains she is a cancer survivor and shows the letter from her oncologist they won't treat it like a virus unless there are other symptoms.

Also even with those symptoms they usually only catch it when it is uncontrollable. I.E. a kid or adult throws up all over the floor and needs the room steward to clean it up. If your sister is able to get to the room and use her bathroom with no issues then the room stewards aren't going to bat an eye. They may ask if she is okay but I don't think they would press it once they are told why.

 

[Dug720]

Thank you for posting this. We are cruising in a couple weeks with my dad who has had both prostate cancer and bladder cancer. I think this information will be very helpful for my parents.

You're welcome! It was just a simple "We need a diaper genie" when he introduced himself. If they don't meet their host, I'm sure a note would work too.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

You're welcome! It was just a simple "We need a diaper genie" when he introduced himself. If they don't meet their host, I'm sure a note would work too.

I might request it for them. Dad is very private about his problems, and would probably be mortified I posted something on a message board, even anonymously, that alluded to them.

 

[lklgoodman]

The only place that I've seen sea sickness bags are in the bathrooms around the adult lounges, at least on the Fantasy. They probably have them at guest services, but we got them from the bathrooms. On our last cruise we has some rough seas so I got some bags and put them in our cabin's bathrooms, next to the beds, and sofa. I'm glad I did this because my dd needed them one night. You may want to get some when you first get on the ship, just in case. I always kept one in my purse whenever we walked around the ship also.