May 30, 2009 - Western Cruise Magic

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Many years ago, I was invited to visit the medical facility (I'm a doc and I met the ship's doc at the Captain's Gala....this was pre 9/11...I don't think they'd allow anyone to do this now). This is NOT a normal tour available to people. Sorry, I posted about this once and people started asking how they could get this tour--you can't. In any event, I was VERY impressed with the facility They basically have a one bed ICU. It has everything you'd find in a well equipped hospital, and a lot more than I've seen in some small, rural hospitals. There are other areas for more "normal" stuff. After all, they are basically THE medical care for the 1000 CMs; granted, these are relatively young, relatively healthy people or they wouldn't be in that job. THey maintain regular records, etc. on the crew. In addition, they are the emergency care for the 2700 guests each week....some of whom are not relatively young or relatively healthy. They do not want to get "stuck" with a long term, serious situation--what they don't have is a doc from every medical specialty that might be needed or the staff needed to cover a critically ill patient 24/7. Thus, the goal is to stabilize and evacuate a critically ill person.

That's interesting, and comforting to know that they could possibly be able to handle almost anything that comes at them.

 

[poohmomof5]

Well....I was going to post a "funny" about how some of my guests are worrying about the pirate's taking over the ship...the one in the Indian Ocean....and worrying about swine flu. Actually, it was funny watching the posts from these 18 year olds. All they heard was "pirates" and their brains started whirling.

As to flu...currently there are NO cases reported in the areas we will be traveling. I'm sure it will spread over the next month. As to what DCL might do about ports, etc. people are just speculating. As far as I know, DCL has made no announcements of any changes. They have contracts with the planned ports, and would probably incur serious financial penalties for unjustified changes...but I'm speculating. I have no idea what their contracts with the ports really say.

I don know that they re-route cruises for weather related issues. I've had that happen at least twice (cruise went somewhere other than where planned), and had ports missed at least 3 other times.

IF DCL felt there was a danger, they would take appropriate precautions.

The ship has a small but well stocked pharmacy. Since they are aware of this issue, they are probably stocking up on tamiflu and other anti-viral drugs. They don't have "everything" in the sense of what your local pharmacy will have, but they have a couple of choices in each of the major categories. For instance, they may not have a choice of 50 antibiotics, but they'll have 5...and they're never more than 2 days from a port during the normal cruises.

Many years ago, I was invited to visit the medical facility (I'm a doc and I met the ship's doc at the Captain's Gala....this was pre 9/11...I don't think they'd allow anyone to do this now). This is NOT a normal tour available to people. Sorry, I posted about this once and people started asking how they could get this tour--you can't. In any event, I was VERY impressed with the facility They basically have a one bed ICU. It has everything you'd find in a well equipped hospital, and a lot more than I've seen in some small, rural hospitals. There are other areas for more "normal" stuff. After all, they are basically THE medical care for the 1000 CMs; granted, these are relatively young, relatively healthy people or they wouldn't be in that job. THey maintain regular records, etc. on the crew. In addition, they are the emergency care for the 2700 guests each week....some of whom are not relatively young or relatively healthy. They do not want to get "stuck" with a long term, serious situation--what they don't have is a doc from every medical specialty that might be needed or the staff needed to cover a critically ill patient 24/7. Thus, the goal is to stabilize and evacuate a critically ill person.

SO....I'll say basically the same thing to this group that I said to my "kids." Take a deep breath and chill out--we don't know anything yet. We all have to wait and see what happens with this flu thing.

I don't think we have any worries from the pirates who are active in the Indian Ocean. However, the Disney Magic is regularly taken over by pirates; at least once a week, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee and their gang cause all sorts of commotion on the ship until the main mouse appears to put things to rights.

Well said! I just posted on the Swine Flu thread, basically saying the same thing but not as well said as this! I hope people can just take a deep breath and see how it plays out. Disney will ultimately do what they think is best. That is all we can hope for!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[homespun]

Well said! I just posted on the Swine Flu thread, basically saying the same thing but not as well said as this! I hope people can just take a deep breath and see how it plays out. Disney will ultimately do what they think is best. That is all we can hope for!

Have a great day everyone!

The media is going nuts with the swine flu reporting. I think it's getting people in a panic and there aren't many cases even reported yet. When you hear it several times a day and see it whenever you visit the internet, it gets your attention.

I think we do need to keep it in check and relax. If Disney feels it's a threat to cruise passengers, I'm sure that they will reroute or make a change. With that said, I called Disney this morning, only because I have an excursion booked in Cozumel and I was wondering what their thinking was on what's happening and I booked on our own so I was concerned I might lose our payment. No fears as there is a 5% refund fee, but I believe my cruise insurance might even cover that.

When I called Disney this morning they said that they are aware of the health problems in Mexico and are considering changing the itinerary, but they haven't made any changes as of this point. It sounded like they are waiting to see how things develop before making a final decision

So thought you'd all want to know that they are talking about it, but as of today at 8:15 CDT there have been no changes.

Karen

 

[kcashner]

Thanks for posting about your call, Karen....and nice to know that DCL is keeping an eye on things as we thought.

Now if they could just do something about those pesky pirates......

 

[loveysbydesign]

Thanks for the info! Even though I'd really like to do the DE at Cozumel and surprise my kids I'd be more than happy to go to CC twice-lol!

 

[Suzepoo]

Our group have designed and are planning to order "matching" t-shirts from www.zazzle.com They look REALLY COOL, if I do say so myself, and if anyone would be interested in adding to our order, just let me know and I can email you the design and get sizes and names.

WOO HOO only 5 more weeks now!!! I can't WAIT to be checking into the Radisson, and then boarding the Disney Magic and meeting all of you!!

As for the flu scare....my friend in Cozumel tells me that there is NOTHING at this point to worry about, but if she hears of anything, she will be sure to let me know, and I will pass that along to you guys! I say...WHATEVER...but if we shouldn't get to go to Cozumel....a second stop at Castaway Cay would be AWESOME, too!!!

 

[klcason]

Well....I was going to post a "funny" about how some of my guests are worrying about the pirate's taking over the ship...the one in the Indian Ocean....and worrying about swine flu. Actually, it was funny watching the posts from these 18 year olds. All they heard was "pirates" and their brains started whirling.

As to flu...currently there are NO cases reported in the areas we will be traveling. I'm sure it will spread over the next month. As to what DCL might do about ports, etc. people are just speculating. As far as I know, DCL has made no announcements of any changes. They have contracts with the planned ports, and would probably incur serious financial penalties for unjustified changes...but I'm speculating. I have no idea what their contracts with the ports really say.

I don know that they re-route cruises for weather related issues. I've had that happen at least twice (cruise went somewhere other than where planned), and had ports missed at least 3 other times.

IF DCL felt there was a danger, they would take appropriate precautions.

The ship has a small but well stocked pharmacy. Since they are aware of this issue, they are probably stocking up on tamiflu and other anti-viral drugs. They don't have "everything" in the sense of what your local pharmacy will have, but they have a couple of choices in each of the major categories. For instance, they may not have a choice of 50 antibiotics, but they'll have 5...and they're never more than 2 days from a port during the normal cruises.

Many years ago, I was invited to visit the medical facility (I'm a doc and I met the ship's doc at the Captain's Gala....this was pre 9/11...I don't think they'd allow anyone to do this now). This is NOT a normal tour available to people. Sorry, I posted about this once and people started asking how they could get this tour--you can't. In any event, I was VERY impressed with the facility They basically have a one bed ICU. It has everything you'd find in a well equipped hospital, and a lot more than I've seen in some small, rural hospitals. There are other areas for more "normal" stuff. After all, they are basically THE medical care for the 1000 CMs; granted, these are relatively young, relatively healthy people or they wouldn't be in that job. THey maintain regular records, etc. on the crew. In addition, they are the emergency care for the 2700 guests each week....some of whom are not relatively young or relatively healthy. They do not want to get "stuck" with a long term, serious situation--what they don't have is a doc from every medical specialty that might be needed or the staff needed to cover a critically ill patient 24/7. Thus, the goal is to stabilize and evacuate a critically ill person.

SO....I'll say basically the same thing to this group that I said to my "kids." Take a deep breath and chill out--we don't know anything yet. We all have to wait and see what happens with this flu thing.

I don't think we have any worries from the pirates who are active in the Indian Ocean. However, the Disney Magic is regularly taken over by pirates; at least once a week, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee and their gang cause all sorts of commotion on the ship until the main mouse appears to put things to rights.

That is really good to know, I have often wondered how they went about handling emergencies and stockin of things. Thanks so much for the info!

The media is going nuts with the swine flu reporting. I think it's getting people in a panic and there aren't many cases even reported yet. When you hear it several times a day and see it whenever you visit the internet, it gets your attention.

I think we do need to keep it in check and relax. If Disney feels it's a threat to cruise passengers, I'm sure that they will reroute or make a change. With that said, I called Disney this morning, only because I have an excursion booked in Cozumel and I was wondering what their thinking was on what's happening and I booked on our own so I was concerned I might lose our payment. No fears as there is a 5% refund fee, but I believe my cruise insurance might even cover that.

When I called Disney this morning they said that they are aware of the health problems in Mexico and are considering changing the itinerary, but they haven't made any changes as of this point. It sounded like they are waiting to see how things develop before making a final decision

So thought you'd all want to know that they are talking about it, but as of today at 8:15 CDT there have been no changes.

Karen

Thanks for letting us know!

Kayla

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

kcashner- thanks for your post and I agree- I think DCL will think about their guests but ALSO would have to have legal grounds to cancel a port on their itinerary- ie: some sort of announcement that there are cases of people contracting swine flu near the port area/etc.

I'm not really concerned- considering we live in Texas and pretty much anywhere in the US you "could" get it anyway. This is not an isolated area that has it that we happen to be going there on the cruise. It could happen anywhere- especially even in an area like WDW where so many people from all over are congregated in smallish areas. HOWEVER if they do decide to change the itinerary I hope they go to CC twice instead of another sea day. I think that will help a lot to "get over" missing our plans in Cozumel. (are you listening DCL? hope so! LOL)

Suzepoo- do you have the list to have my email address? If not, let me know and I'll pm it to you. I'd be interested in looking at the design and the cost. I've already made quite a few matching shirts for us so I'm not positive I'll want them but I'm open to the idea- especially since you said they are really cool. We still have our mouse club shirts from the last crusie- we plan on taking those and WOOHOO my shirt won't be as tight as on the last crusie since I've lost 45lbs since that cruise and tried the shirt on and it's LOOSE now. I was almost embarrassed to wear it last time it was so tight around the chest and arms. LOL But not now.. so yeah baby we're wearing those shirts again- get our money out of them. LOL We got those made on zazzle also.

 

[Suzepoo]

email on the way to ya!!

 

[loveysbydesign]

email on the way to ya!!

pm'd ya..I'd love to see them...maybe I'll order some too1

 

[kcashner]

Please send pictures of shirts...or post here. Don't know if we'll get them, but I'd love to see them.

 

[Suzepoo]

but your email address isn't on Bruce's list??? PM me with your email address, and I'll send the pics to ya

 

[brucechase]

but your email address isn't on Bruce's list??? PM me with your email address, and I'll send the pics to ya

Are you looking at the list I sent out on 4/20? I have her email on that one. Also while you are at it, please send me a copy of the picture of the shirt too.

 

[liliagm]

We would like to see the t-shirts please! sent you a pm with my email just in case but is on the list as well...

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I sent you a pm as well!!!! I would love to see the shirts!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I just checked the 3 day and 4 day cruises- just to make sure it's even POSSIBLE to get a 2nd cay at CC if by some chance they change the itinerary and remove the stop at Cozumel. Looks like the Wonder goes to CC on Tuesdays and saturday- we go Friday and it appears the only way they could replace Cozumel with CC would be for us to go Thurs and Friday (sea day needed to get to CC?) so it's POSSIBLE. I have no idea the logistics of them getting the island ready/etc. for a different day. Have they ever done another day at CC when they couldn't go to some other port? Or is it always another sea day? Just curious

 

[brucechase]

I jsut saw a new cruiser with us. They have a total of 1 post so I hope they come over here. Here is the thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2161173

 

[crazymadness1990]

Hey, me and my girlfriend are both going on this cruise, we're both 18.

 

[brucechase]

Hey, me and my girlfriend are both going on this cruise, we're both 18.

Congrats!!! You will have a blast. What made you decide now and how did you pick this cruise?

 

[crazymadness1990]

Congrats!!! You will have a blast. What made you decide now and how did you pick this cruise?

Well, I wanted to go on a cruise, but most of the other cruise lines you have to be at least 21 to book, but Disney was one of the few where you could be 18 to book and I went to Disneyworld when I was younger and I've always wanted to go back so I booked with DCL because I've heard great things about it.