ducklite said:
My bigger concern would be for when you are on shore excursions. I would probably choose the Eastern rather than the Western--St. Thomas is a US Territory with US hospitals. I wouldn't want to go to a hospital in most of the countries on the Western.
In all honesty, it's possible your desire to cruise might be moot--the line might not allow your child to cruise. I"d start there.
Anne
Actually, I would disagree with this one. We found the western to be fine. Although Cozumel we have NOT had to experience using the medical facilities, we used the hospital on Grand Cayman (thinking it was called Georgetown hospital) and the facility was superb, as was the care. Thank goodness for
trip insurance!! And, since dh is an MD and I am an RN, I feel good about giving that opinion. Also, Key West is a western port, which of course means US hospitals.
I have seen a couple very sick make a wish kiddos on the
disney cruise (for a while, some of their parents posted on the cruise board), and I know that Disney does have the ability to accomodate many disabilities, depending of course on what they are. Disney does refuse passage to guests beyong their 24th week of pregnancy, so of course there are stated exceptions in the cruise contract. I would be shocked to hear they had refused passage to someone with seizure disorder, especially since we ourselves have cruised with them frequently.
The bottom line, is your comfort level, your physicians recommendation and the ability of the onboard medical facility to provide the emergency care that your kiddo might need. I had a much harder time letting our dd go on a camping trip (which of course had a nurse, but 3 hours to the hospital and no 911) than I do the disney cruise. Thank goodness she didnt like camping
You can call
Disney cruise line and talk to special services. They will be able to tell you exactly what they do and dont provide in the medical clinic.