Serious questions about Medevac on cruises

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Volleyjeff

Guest
My fiancee and I are getting married on March 18th, and are scheduled to spend our week-long honeymoon aboard the Carnival Conquest, with stops in Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel.

Unfortunately, my fiancee has a liver condition that has caused complications. She has been seeing a liver specialist in Houston for the past few months, and he said that he was "concerned" about her being on a cruise ship for a week, in the event that she might need medical assistance. Her doctor was concerned that she may suffer from internal bleeding if one of her varices (sp?) ruptures. The chances of that happening are highly unlikely, and she is taking medication for it.

However, we have taken out insurance for the cruise which covers Medevac expenses. Because her doctor said he was "concerned", my fiancee is having second thoughts about going on the honeymoon cruise.

Can anyone give us more information about how Medevac works? In particular, I'd like to know which hospitals would be closest or most practical, in the event of an emergency, and how long it would take to get from the ship to a reliable emergency care facility.

Please understand that if we felt like there was a reasonable chance that this disaster were to happen, we would never CONSIDER going on the cruise. We are simply trying to weigh the pros and cons, and determine if the "worst case scenario" would be a situation we could handle.

Thank you!

Jeff
 
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IMACRUISER

Guest
Had a medvac situation on a Celebrity cruise in February 2003. Two families(best friends forever) travelling Western Carribean. My very dear friend was suffering from Stage IV Breast Cancer. Had been through surgery, chemo and radiation since previous May. Was feeling pretty good during January and February - her oncologist encouraged her to go on cruise. It was very important to her that we go on vacation together, again. We had always vacationed together. Needless to say, during day 2 of cruise she began feeling ill. Came to the point, she couldn't leave her stateroom. Finally, next night got a wheelchair and got her down to the infirmary. The poor ship doctor was in a panic. Her condition worsened to the point that during the night he lost her twice. Constantly connected to hospital in Miami through computer. The ship had to proceed full speed ahead all night in order to reach as close to U.S. port as possible(stabilizers were lifted) and ship was just rocking horribly - glasses shattering, holding on to the side of the bed as not to fall out. Other passengers did not realize what was happening and the following morning the infirmary was full of sea-sick passengers. Reached coast of Cuba following morning and a U.S. Coast Guard medivac helicopter was deployed. It was too windy and had to turn back and then was redeployed about 2 hours later. Everyone had to clear the decks and all furniture was removed from outdoors. Loudspeaker announcing that there would be an emergency evacuation taking place. My friend on a stretcher(along with her husband, my husband and myself) were brought
up to the top deck to await the evacuation process. The helicopter does not land on the ship. It hovers over it and a basket is lowered with 2 U.S. Coast Guard members. She was loaded onto the helicopter along with one of the ship's nurses(not kidding - the one that weighed the least). Her husband could not accompany her. ( I must say, for other passengers that were not connected with the horrible situation unfolding, it was quite exciting.) He had to stay on the ship until we docked in Tampa the next morning. She was flown in to Key West, evaluated and stabilized at Key West Hospital, and then immediately evacuated via ambulance to Miami(5 hour trip). The cancer had attacked her brain very aggresively. After surgery in Miami, she returned home 7 days later. Sadly, she passed away 6 days later . Her husband rented a car in Tampa and drove over to Miami. We stayed on with her children and disembarked in Tampa and flew home as scheduled. I have to say that ship doctors are very rarely exposed to such tragic situations. They normally deal with seasickness, cuts, bruises, sunburn.
However, they were very professional and compassionate. I was extremely surprised that the Cruise LIne never contacted any of us to find out the outcome. I guess we were just paying customers. Even after she was evacuated, no one ever contacted us(prior to our arriving in Tampa) to see if there was anything we needed or to comfort us in the slightest way. To be perfectly honest with you, I would never want to relive that scenario again. It, by far, was the scariest thing I have had to live through and I'm in my mid-40's. I'm sorry I couldn't be more optimistic with the medivac process. However, I believe if you have a serious pre-existing medical condition, perhaps you should honeymoon on U.S. soil. If you have any other questions regarding the medavac, let me know. P.S. - We, too, had the travel insurance. The medavac helicopter alone was $34,000 and the ambulace was $7,000 let alone any other charges.
 
C

Cruzman

Guest
Just a word of caution; make sure that your trip insurance coverage includes pre-existing conditions; otherwise they wouldn't cover the medivac. Good luck on whatever you decide!
 
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Mbandy

Guest
Very good point about the pre existing conditions Cruzman. If your fiancee's medical condition was not stable for 60 days prior to the purchase of the insurance you policy will probably not cover any claims resulting from her condition. You really need to check it out.
 
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IMACRUISER

Guest
My friend had a pre-existing condition which the insurance company was well aware of. Every charge incurred with regard to her medical evacuation from the ship was covered-100%. They also paid for the rental car and hotel in Miami for her husband as well as air transportation back home from Miami.
 
A

AreWeThereYet79

Guest
What a sad story, I am truely sorry to hear that you all went through that.

That said, it does sound like the cruise ship was well equiped to deal with the situation as it was. Follow your heart when you make your decision wether or not to cruise, and everthing else will work itself out :)

Wishing you safe and healthy travels, and a long happy life together. Congrautaions on the marriage!
 
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Mbandy

Guest
IMACRUISER had a really good policy if pre existing conditions were covered. Many policies do not cover them though so I'd check that policy to be sure.
 
K

katsted69

Guest
I must say IMACRUISER, you gave me some tears there. That was a sad story but I am glad that the crew didn't seem to mess around. I am sure the doc was scared since it says they are not prepared to handle major issues. As for them going full force to land, that must have been a ride and I am surprised they didn't let the other passangers know about the situation.

We are first time travelers taking my mother-in-law with us. She was hospitalized for 3 months and no one expected her to come out of her illness. She is pretty strong and grouchy again so we are taking her. I can only pray that nothing happens. I wouldn't want anyone to go through what your family and your friends family went through. And I am totally shocked that if nothing else, the husband did not get any contact from Carnival asking for an update. I am sure this doesn't happen often and for them not to take note, I find upsetting.

Katrina
Sensation
4-6-06
 
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