Talk to me about medical care on board... (need some peace of mind!)

[aprilbabes]

This is my first cruise with kids and being the neurotic mother that I am, I'm stressing about all the things that can possibly go wrong. I know they have medical care available, but curious if you can get an antibiotic if necessary (my kids get frequent ear infections). TIA!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Yes you can, we have used it twice we have had two incidents in our family when we had to use the doctor.

Thy have a reasonable first need center catering for most things, to stabilize most conditions, but not long term the ships require anyone ill to go to hospitals asap,

We had a serious cut finger that was infected, and also perforated ear drums caused by an infection in the water, they treated both and kept in touch with us all cruise.

Do always buy trip insurance from whoever you wish to cover the costs of treatment.

 

[aggiedog]

My mom is a retired OR ortho and neurosurg nurse. She went down and asked around just for kicks. She came back impressed, stating they could even surgically stabilize a broken hip. That said, I'm pretty sure standard pediatric issues would be a no brainer for them.

 

[MarleneP]

My DS needed to see the dr. on our first cruise. It was not an emergency so we had to wait until the morning when it was normal hours. He ended up having strep throat and was given an antibiotic. The ship dr. was great. My mind was put at ease because he was from NJ, like us and knew our pediatrician very well. We also always buy trip insurance. We were given all the paperwork to file a claim. My suggestion to anyone is to bring a small stash of meds. The ship dr. and ship stores have just about everything but it is costly. First cruise I only brought Advil and needed everything from antibiotic to benadryl. Next cruise I brought every medicine I could think of and everyone was 100% healthy! Always better to be safe than sorry.

 

[michellekcm]

Yep - and we were amazed at how cheap the antibiotics were. The actual consultation, not cheap at all, but the drugs? Very impressed

 

[xlxo]

And if you know of a medicine you frequently use when at home or travelling.... just bring it along. Makes it simplier.

 

[jahber]

My DS needed to see the dr. on our first cruise. It was not an emergency so we had to wait until the morning when it was normal hours. He ended up having strep throat and was given an antibiotic. The ship dr. was great. My mind was put at ease because he was from NJ, like us and knew our pediatrician very well. We also always buy trip insurance. We were given all the paperwork to file a claim. My suggestion to anyone is to bring a small stash of meds. The ship dr. and ship stores have just about everything but it is costly. First cruise I only brought Advil and needed everything from antibiotic to benadryl. Next cruise I brought every medicine I could think of and everyone was 100% healthy! Always better to be safe than sorry.

We do the same. Any medicine I have at home, I bring a small quantity with me. We don't take many drugs, so it was pretty much just some Benadryl, ibuprofen (adult and kid), gas medicine, and migraine meds. I have a first aid kit that goes in a small Tupperware container with band aids. It's easy to pack and great to have on hand. We found the medicines to be pretty reasonably priced (about what I'd pay for brand names at CVS), but when you only need one or two doses of children's Tylenol, $7 is a lot!

 

[Nicolle]

My DS needed to see the dr. on our first cruise. It was not an emergency so we had to wait until the morning when it was normal hours. He ended up having strep throat and was given an antibiotic. The ship dr. was great. My mind was put at ease because he was from NJ, like us and knew our pediatrician very well. We also always buy trip insurance. We were given all the paperwork to file a claim. My suggestion to anyone is to bring a small stash of meds. The ship dr. and ship stores have just about everything but it is costly. First cruise I only brought Advil and needed everything from antibiotic to benadryl. Next cruise I brought every medicine I could think of and everyone was 100% healthy! Always better to be safe than sorry.

Hola!!!! I saw you went 2014 X-mas in Disney Magic, do you liked it??? Can you please give more details? Thanks!

 

[MarleneP]

Hola!!!! I saw you went 2014 X-mas in Disney Magic, do you liked it??? Can you please give more details? Thanks!

We loved it so much we booked the xmas cruise on the fantasy for this year. What kind of details would you like? I went with my DH, DS(14) and DS(10). Ports of call were: Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel & CC. We spent Xmas day in Cozumel. Honestly, I can go on and on with every detail, just let me know what you would like to know about.

 

[Nicolle]

We are going to CC, Bahamas & Key West..... We are planning to do the 5K in CC, my husband did it last time & I wanted to try it ..... I would like to know what fun thing we can do in the ship? I have a 7year old boy, who loved super heroes, the avengers area is good? We went to Bahama last September so we are not going this time, we prefer to be in the ship all day .... all day at sea kind a day ;p.... thank a lot for all the information/time !!!!!

 

[MarleneP]

My DH did the 5K. My DS(10) and I plan on doing it with him this year. My 10yo didn't spend a lot of time in the clubs because we let him and is brother, 14 years old, go off on their own as long as they checked in with us. They went to the movies, played ping pong and basketball, watched movies at night on tunnel vision, we made a gingerbread house together (make sure you sign up for this when you get on board). We spent time in O'Gills pub....early in the day kids are permitted to go in and we played chess & checkers. They got to visit with Santa and put up with me as I forced them to stand still to take pictures in front of the life size gingerbread house. There was a xmas caroling night in the atrium with characters and "snow". There was one day that Peter Pan was was searching for Tink with a group of kids. That looked like a lot of fun but we were waiting to make our Gingerbread house. We always went to the shows at night. Magic Dave was on board and did a magic class for the kids. One day I totally wore out the family and they went to the cabin, ordered snacks from room service & watched a movie. I went and made xmas crafts by myself. The kids really didn't enjoy the pools because they are kind of small and crowded. My 10 only went to the kids club when they had the "kids can cook" event.

On Key West we took the trolley tour. We enjoyed it but I would have liked if they went just a bit slower so I could take pictures but it was good information and my kids enjoyed it. For lunch we went to The Hog's Breath for lunch. We had a lot of fun here because of the entertainer....I'm not sure a 7 year old would get much out of the humor and/or music. But my 14 YO thought the guys was hysterical. The food here was just OK. After lunch we walked around town, went into the shops & got ice cream. We heard that Key West gets less kid friendly as the day goes on so we headed to the ship to watch the sunset from our verandah which was amazing!

On our CC day we went snorkeling, relaxed a bit & had lunch. Then we did the rigid hull snorkeling and sand bar excursion. This was absolutely fantastic. If you and your family like to snorkel I highly recommend it.

This year I plan on doing the fish extenders & decorating our door.

I"m happy to share my experiences so let me know if you make any other questions!

 

[Nicolle]

It's sound lovely!!! I'm new to this blog so I'm learning my way lol ...... I would love to do the Xmas crafts!!! it something i can do with my boy? Our Xmas trees is all about Disney and it will be kind of awesome to have some Xmas balls done by our son ...... thank you for the tip... I will sign up for the gingerbread house.

BTW... what is the Golden Spoon??? Also, how can you have private conversation with members? Like emails?

I think you are going to be my go to person for all my question lol

 

[MarleneP]

Feel free to inbox me

 

[Nicolle]

how I send you an email? I have tried but I dont know how....lol

 

[MarleneP]

go onto your profile page and set up who you will allow to start a conversation with you. I tried to inbox you but it would not allow me to.

 

[Nicolle]

I think I did it.... but I cant start a conversation..... can you try? thanks!

 

[lanejudy]

I think I did it.... but I cant start a conversation..... can you try? thanks!

You need to have 10 posts to PM (Conversations). Feel free to head to the Test Board and make a couple more posts, then wait about 30-60 minutes for the options to fully take effect.



OP -- DCL does have a medical facility prepared to handle most any emergency, big or small. They can certainly handle an ear infection and give antibiotics. Be prepared to pay upfront; depending on your personal health insurance you may be able to submit a claim for reimbursement, or through travel insurance if you purchase that.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Nicolle]

Thank you!!! what does PM means?

 

[lanejudy]

private message, or as it's now called here on DISboards, "Conversations"

 

[Nicolle]

lol.. thanks!