DCL with special needs child?

[Vanvmom]

Anyone have any experience on DCL with a special needs child? Our daughter has numerous issues including seizures, a rare form of diabetes, occasional bronchio issues, and neurological delays. Has anyone cruised with their special needs child?

 

[HowdyHeidi]

Not yet, but we are going to this fall as a land and sea with extended family. DS has multiple disabilities and is medically involved and uses a g-tube. One thing to consider is that if your child needs one on one care or nursing type care, they cannot go into the kids' clubs without you. But apparently, according to my research, you can take them in there to play so long as you stay.

Also, if you go, get travel insurance with preexisting condition waiver (DCL trip insurance does no cover pre existing conditions). Ours required us to purchase it within 21 days of paying the deposit to get the waiver.

There is an RN at DCL that you can talk to after you book the cruise to see what they may be able to help with.

We chose the Disney Dream because since the ship is new they also should have the most up to date medical center.

Good luck and wish us luck too!!!

 

[Vanvmom]

Best wishes to you! Our daughter has multiple issues, and due to her age, she would go into the nursery. She goes in our nursery at church each week, so doesn't need specialized care during play time. She just needs special meds and injections each day, and we have to be certain that the medical personnel can monitor her if she has a seizure or bronchio problems (basically, if they have an O2 Sat monitor if needed, or the ablility to do IV fluids if needed). We administer all her treatments, but wanted to know if there are certain conditions in which they will not allow a child into the nursery. She will only be 2 when we cruise.

I'm aware of the travel insurance issues. We already took a Hawaii vacation as a family, and on our 2nd day of vacation our daughter had to be admitted to the hospital. I stayed in the hospital with her for 9 days, while the rest of our family vacationed and then traveled home without us.

I am looking to this board as there does not seem to be a number I can use to contact DCL directly with my questions. Thanks so much for your help!!!

 

[HowdyHeidi]

Our TA said that we didn't have access to the RN until after the deposit, but I guess you could always call them anyhow and see who they send you too. I do have a contact now that I can call directly.

I believe you can cancel the cruise if it is before 75 days from cruising, so if you decide against it, you will get all your money back.

I hope that you are able to use the nursery. It looks really cute. I think you have 10 hours there for a 4 day cruise, and it is $6 per hour extra (it is not included).

I imagine the medical staff MUST have an O2 monitor, and I am hoping that because it is a disney ship they have more experience with putting IV's in kids since that is not as easy as adults.

 

[Vanvmom]

Thanks. We are booked on a 6 night cruise, and our special needs daughter has a twin, so we will certainly be paying $$$ to utilize the nursery. Hopefully they won't need to do any IVs, because she is a VERY hard stick. We may have a Gtube by Dec. when we cruise, so be sure to let us know how things go with your son.

Odd that we don't have access to that number for a RN as well. Maybe it is since our cruise is not until Dec. We booked it back in 2009.

 

[dclfun]

You can call and ask to speak with the Special Services department ( not an RN, BTW) once you've booked. You can also submit a special services form after you've booked. The form isn't required but many like to have it on file to note any special conditions that might require assistance on the ship. Always travel with your child's medical information/bring it with you including Dr's. phone number in case of emergency or they need to speak with him/her. There is a very good medical center on all the DCL ships but they cannot provide sustained care. If there is an emergency, they will stabilize someone and then the Dr. decides if there needs to be a medical evacuation. For someone on a G-Tube, you can bring your own canned food or they will puree foods for you depending on what your Dr. ( or you, or your child) prefers. As was mentioned, the children's clubs can't provide 1:1 or medical care, but your child is welcome there if you come with them. Also, DCL insurance does cover pre-existing conditions as long as the condition has been stable ( no changes in treatment) 60 days prior to final payment. I always purchase the insurance for that reason via DCL, and mainly because it also covers cancellations for non-medical reasons ( if claim is denied for any reason, you get a 100% voucher for a future cruise) as well as all the other coverages. My service dog could get ill, my lift van could have a problem- all non-covered reasons, but if I cancelled I'd at least be able to use the voucher.---Kathy

 

[buffettgirl]

Wendy, I sent you a PM - just in case you don't check. Just had a quick question for you.

 

[lesley227]

We cruised with our 9 year old daughter on the Magic last hear and are going on the Dream in a couple of weeks. She has mitochondrial disease, extremely poor balance, uses a walker, has hearing aids, wears and insulin pump, and cannot always control her bladder, and has a gtube. Everything was GREAT. The only real problem we had was getting from the ship to the Castaway Cay area and all we really needed to do was be more specific about what we wanted, and likely to arrange that the night before.

I posted a review of that cruise last year, about March, look for it.

We bring a bunch of supplies with us when we come and make sure that our insurance will mediflight us off the boat if needed.

It was exhausting but wonderful. Everyone on the boat made sure our experience was great and yours will be too.

 

[mummy lee]

I cruised on the Magic last year with my little girl age 9 who has severe microcephaly uses a wheelchair and has lots of other problems and her big brother who was 12. I am a single mummy and the cast members did everything possible to make sure we had the best time. We definitely did and have booked for the dream in 2 weeks time x

 

[Vanvmom]

It is comforting to hear all the positive stories. My DD had her gtube surgery this past week and all is going reasonably well - 4 day hospital stay, minor flow blockage issues in hospital, and 2nd night of feeds after discharge was full of vomiting, but hoping for a smooth night tonight. We've got a cruise booked for 4 weeks from now, and I did contact special services to make sure we have all we need in our cabin. The one thing I forgot to ask is if DD will be able to go into the nursery during our cruise if she has a gtube (she only has night feeds). Anyone have experience with this?