Getting off the ship if an emergency arises..

[December99]

I don't want to even have to think about this but I do. My aunt is not doing very well at all and we have no clue how much longer she will last - could be a day, could be a year. If something was to happen while we are on the ship and I need to get home, is there a way to do this or have this happen or get to an airport so I can get home? Does anyone know? I mentally need to be prepared in case this is the case - but I'm hoping and praying very much that it isn't won't be the case.

 

[Skierkid546]

I would spend a little bit more and get the package where if anything goes wrong u can get off the ship and they will refund some of the trip to you

 

[ohiominnie]

It's good to briefly think about, but don't dwell on it. Know that when the time comes DCL will help you make arrangements, if necessary.

And remember an emergency can happen to anyone...even if they aren't ill. We received an email while aboard the Wonder recently that my 68 yr old dad had run over his leg with one of those huge professional sized lawn mowers. Had the blades been on, he'd have instantly bled to death as he's on an anti-coagulant for his heart. Luckily, they were not on at the time so he just ended up with major ligament damage and a lot of pain. It put an end to any football career he might have been considering.

But, it goes to show you that even those in good health can have accidents that no one plans for. If we all dwelled on the possiblities, then DCL wouldn't be nearly as relaxing!

 

[December99]

I don't care about the money because we paid with DVC points - I want to know if I will be able to get off the ship if needed.

 

[ohiominnie]

My guess is, not if you are at sea.
I'm sure you could get home from just about any port, but doubt the ability of them to be able to get you off while you are at sea.

(shrug) maybe though....

Anyone have experience with this???

 

[December99]

That's what I was kinda thinking too ohiominnie.

 

[MindydLeon]

December99 - I know this is way off the topic, and for that I apologize ... but I wanted to know from what book does your Winnie the Pooh quote come from?

 

[figment52]

Originally posted by December99
I don't care about the money because we paid with DVC points - I want to know if I will be able to get off the ship if needed.

The cost of evacuating you like that is VERY EXPENSIVE and the trip insurance should cover it. My brother in law had to do it when his grandmother passed away and it was over $2000 just to get two of them home from just off the coast of South America.

I suspect that the best the insurance will provide you is transport from the next port of call. Your travel agent should be able to direct you to someone with the specifics of evacuation procedures/policies.

I totally understand your need to think about this. It is just a little bit easier if you have some idea of what it will take to get back where you need to be.

 

[ohiominnie]

I know this is an old thread, but I just found out some interesting information on my cruise last week.

During a bridge tour I asked about emergency medical evactuations. They can do them. They drop the ropes/cables (they gave them a special name) that run from the very front of the ship to up top somewhere. Those become flacid. Then they drain the crew pool. An evacuation helicopter will hover over the crew pool area and the patient will be lifted in a basket into the chopper. They practice this scenario once a year.

FYI....

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by Skierkid546
I would spend a little bit more and get the package where if anything goes wrong u can get off the ship and they will refund some of the trip to you

I thought insurance for that only covered immediate family members...not aunts, uncles cousins etc....

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Even though this is an old thread, I am sure it is something that many guests think about.

My father passed away 17 years ago last week. I was in Dallas taking care of my DS' children, while she and BIL were on a carribean cruise, either Norwegian or RCCL.

They were at sea. My sister was evacuated by helicopter to Miami, and then flown home to Dallas. We then proceeded onto LA to the funeral. It took a day and a half to get her home --, but all I had to do was get a phone call to her on board, and the cruise line took care of everything else.