Jacqueline

I was there in February for just a short time. The Kepenski had a metal detector at the entrance.

I had a basic room and was given a bouquet of flowers and a wonderful room with a great view. The poor people are really suffering from the drop in tourism.

It's a city of what, 14 million people. I'd say the odds of gettting caught I. A terrorist attack are way less than the number of pedestrians being hit by cars in Manhattan .

With cruises, we all know we can miss a port, but I think turkey is such a highlight ! I have been to Ephesus twice.

I put up a thread about medical emergencies at sea which was very reassuring!

I agree with Salacia that the main thing is to get the all clear from the child's doctor who is in the best position to make a medical decision, knowing the case history and possible medical support that could be required in an emergency.

After my daughter was hospitalized I actually spoke to the shops doctor in advance of our Tahiti cruise ! She had been in an ICU.

I think it's a bit dire to say that the family could never go on vacation.

My concern for myself was being at sea, days away from a port. In this case it is true as well, as it is a transpacific crossing. The OP used the words "life threatening" which I told at face value. Anaphylaxis is a life threatening reaction which impairs breathing and can send the body into shock. I wouldn't assume that a ship has those the equipment and and resources to treat a six year old, for days onboard as it is distinctly different than what is required for an adults. They cant be expected to perform the functions of a pediatric ICU.

That said, I would go back to my and Salacia's point that the physician in consultation with the cruise line can best advise the parent.

I am more cautious than usual right now. I had a freak fall onto a hard concrete floor in Easten Bhutan last month and broke a hip. We had been hiking through mountains! I am a fit healthy person or I might not have survived the ordeal. I had to have surgery in a remote substandard hospital and then a second surgery in Bangkok before finally making it home three weeks ago. Being seriously injured in a remote area is frightening because of the loss of options and somewhat akin to a cruise ship far from port.

I do have great medical insurance but it doesn't cover all the extra air fare and hotels and other expenses incurred. I did get a $55,000 medjet and $8,800 helicopter as well, so the big charges were covered.

A six year old child's condition can change very quickly. While I know that Cunard has excellent medical care, to me, this sounds like a dicey voyage. You will be far from care in the Pacific at times.

I guess the question I would ask myself is, what happens and can they take care of the situation onboard should she have full scale reaction? I have a lot of scenarios in my mind as a former EMT that I wouldn't post on a cruises board. Cruise ships are well equipt but they may not have pediatric sizes of every last piece of equipment required.

At the end of the day, a crew ship is a very confined area with thousands of people. I don't think you can be guaranteed of anything.

It was the dinging sound every time the door of the elevator opened that tortured me, not any foot traffic. It was on a HAL cruise of the Black Sea, so it was a quiet group of fellow cruisers.

Your point is very well made that we do have individual preferences. On a certain class ship, we used to travel on when my kids were young, I had a strong preference for cabins all the way aft, for various logistical reasons.

If I make the TA round trip I am looking at in July, I will be at the mercy of the leftovers. But my objective for this last minute voyage would be recouperation from a broken hip. Wherever I end up, is fine. When I plan my big "trip" (pun, fell on my last one) I enjoy selecting my cabin.

Once I got "upgraded" to a cabin across from an elevator.

So it would make perfect sense to do the late seating eastbound, especially as I live in New York. Going earlier every night is early indeed.

But what about going back? I guess by then one is accustomed to the time, so perhaps it really doesn't matter!

Which is in most demand?

I can't imagine eating dinner at 8:30. I would have to add a whole extra meal at tea!

That's the sailing(s) I am looking at! Sadly, I need to get the all clear from my orthopedist on June 21. I broke my hip and had two surgeries in May.

So I will just have to hope that I can make it work, or look at a one way...as its a while until the next RT from NY.

I would rather not fly. The whole prospect is exhausting.

Thanks all.

John, you hit on the sailing I was looking at. I would not have thought that the price would have differed from what is showing up available when actually making a booking! It actually showed me cabins available at that fare.

I don't tend to worry about having paid a higher price for booking earlier, when I have. It's just how it goes. As someone said, if you were to ask everyone on your flight what they paid, the answers would be all over.

In looking at the summer sailings, it looks like it is significantly less expensive to book the two segments on a round trip crossing separately. The other suprising finding us that the balcony cabins are less expensive that the interior ones. Again by $100s of dollars per person.

Is this unusual or typical ?

You are totally correct. My apology. I couldn't edit my post.

right!

Looking to the QM sailings this summer, I see that it is more expensive to book the round trip crossing than booking the two segments separately.

Also, I see that the inside cabins are more expensive than the balcony cabins, for one of the sailings.

Is this typical for Cunard?

Thank you for the helpful suggestions and advice.

Given that I have a recovery I would love to do the round trip and avoid the stress of air travel.

I just got back three weeks ago from a big medical adventure. I fell in remote Bhutan and it took weeks to get home with two surgeries. I had a helicopter and medjet than a 25 hour flight home with a 12 time change. I literally have four stops before getting to NY.

So if I don't have jet lag or see an airport for a while I am a happy camper. I just don't know how to break it to my husband that I want to travel again! I may be able to sell it, but he may go out of his mind.

I am waiting to get a clean bill of health from my doctor, hopefully in three weeks.

I live in NY and would love to do a transatlantic (probably rt to avoid flying).

How much before the sail does Cunard stop selling cabins?

I don't care where I am on the ship, for this adventure. I see it as a good place to convalesce.

The open decks, pool, excercize room, easily available healthy food all beacon. Plus just an hour to the pier so no last minute airfare.

I was thinking the same thought as an earlier commenter,

On our Tahitian cruise, it was dark every night by the time we went to dinner. In northern ports in the summer, of course you get those long evenings and late sunsets.

Do keep that in mind. You can always Google when the sunset will be for your date and port.

On a warm weather cruise, I like to carry on a bathing suit and coverup so that I can enjoy the pool. I also tend to have a change of clothes, but this would basically fit in a large handbag.

I do recall the operating theater back in the day!

I and I definitely remember the c-6 location on the QE2. In my mind, I thought , Sea Sick, which just came back to me 33 years later. I got the shot! It was a late fall hurricane on a round trip from New York to the Caribbean. My husband and I were probable 50 years younger than most the other cruisers. I remember the armchair aerobics class.

Of course now that I am home with a broken hip, the laughs on me!

This information. Is very helpful and just what I was looking for!

This is all terribly unlikely, I know, but it is wonderful to know that Cunard has such a comprehensive plan in place to deal with these. And not just for me but others as well. I formerly volunteered as an EMT and am glad to know that anyone in a critical situation can be brought to care.

It also makes me think that Cunard has a great many other procedures in place as well.

I was carrying a very robust policy and actually had both a helicopter and a medjet !

It's not the expense . Had that covered!

I'm only 57 and just had two surgeries in a week followed by a 20 hour flight home (with a nurse, covered by insurance). I would think it unlikely that I would sustain another injury of that magnitude again, but I did need surgery optimally within 24 hours of the injury. I have never had a hospitalization prior to this or a surgery, nor do I have any pre-existing conditions.

So, I guess what was implied by ollies um, may be the case. There are def transatlantics with ports, although I can't guess how far they are off the normal course.

According to my travel nurse, there are many, many pax that sustain serious injuries. In part I am sure, driven by demographics.

Of course, the unique feature to the TA are the days at sea and potential distances at port for a few (?) of the days.

I couldn't find any threads on this topic, but I haven't been on this site for a while!

I recently had a very unfortunate incident while in remote Bhutan where I fell and fractured my hip. I ended up with an emergency surgery there and a revision in Bangkok...just home less than a week. As I live in New York. I have been fantasizing about a round trip crossing once I am back on my feet.

I was wondering what happens when serious conditions occur on a crossing. I have never been a worrier, but now I am really thinking hard about traveling to places where I can't get appropriate and timely care..

At the very least get medical travel insurance which is inexpensive.

My partner was injured in a fall and is currently in the hospital in Mexico city.

We have been working with CSAs emergency assistance partner, Euro Assist and have found them to be miserable to deal with.

During the 11 days we have been in hosipital , I have to continually re explain our situation as the case ends up on the lap of different case managers. And there are no direct lines so I have to go through up to a 20 minute wait time to get to any one at all.

They are unable to do Medical reviews for discharge planning over the weekend. I am asked to provide information, then they need it w different way on Monday when the doctor is in surgery. The 24/7 claim just means that someone will answer the phone and open a case.

My partner is still on oxygen (we are at 7200 ft) is recovering from six broken ribs and the associate trauma.

Amy tips or suggestions in terms of pít falls to avoid in my further dealings

I agree entirely! In fifteen years of cruising, this is my number one pet peeve. I say hurrah for the deck attendants. I would imagine this falls to the supervisor in directing the staff.

Funny how one person's complaint is another's praise.

It was to the point that I prefer port intensive cruises.