Has anyone had to use ships infirmary/doctor for their infant/toddler?

[wentworth]

Hi

 

We are taking a family cruise next February. Because of job issues, one

of the fathers will not be able to attend. The mother will be bringing their

16 month old. Dad has brought up questions re doctors on the ship or islands

if child were sick. Has anyone had to use the ships doctor or doctor/hospital

in port? What was your experience like? Any recommendations? Any

Comments?

 

Thanks

[alaska_dreaming]

We were on Carnival 4 years ago on an Eastern Carribean cruise.

 

My 6 year old son developed a strange serpentine rash, the night we sailed. It didn't bother him (didn't hurt or itch) but was all over him, head to toes, and looked nasty. :eek:

 

The ships Dr. gave him a shot of hydrocortizone, didn't help. I stayed in the cabin with him for 24 hours, we got another shot, didn't help.

We hit a US Virgin Island and the Dr. advised us to go to the hospital there, as all the other islands would not be U.S. territory and would not be covered by our medical insurance.

I was escorted off the ship (stupidly did not ask to stop in the cabin to pick up our passports:o ), put in a cab and was basicaly on my own from there on.

 

Had to go through regular emergency room (3 hour wait) got a very basic prescription, had to find a pharmacy and get back to the ship - all on my own. Made it aboard with 40 minutes to spare (the passports in my cabin safe kept flashing through my mind). Luckily the prescription worked like magic over night, so we were able to enjoy the rest of the cruise.

 

I guess it all worked out, but could have ended badly, as if I missed the ship, it would have been a nightmare (again, no passports and ship's next port of call was out of the US).

 

I never could figure out why I had to take my son to the hospital, as when I showed the ship's Dr. the medicine my son was given, he said he had it on board. I would imagine he would have just given it to an adult, but was more cautious with a child.

 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that they are careful treating kids and if it's something out of the ordinary will refer you to an island hospital.

 

We never did find out what caused the rash, and he has never had one like it again:) .

[Capt_BJ]

Maybe I'm missing it if it exists, but this might be a curious discussion topic: medical assist.

 

In my experience, for where I've inquired, cruise lines don't employ doctors as such. They contract doctors for some number of days. Actually MD mag's advertise these opportunities. {3 months on a cruise ship...FREE}

 

These doctors make you feel good because the ship can say they are there. And what a deal for the doctor!!!!

 

But when something serious - or "non standard" happens......they will do what they can and call for help.

 

Don't get me wrong....I don't fault the process. But you should understand it too.

 

Does anyone have any statistics on the number of helicopter assists of the Coast Guard from cruise ships (and "private islands")? And if the USCG ain't close by ????

 

Don't expect a full emergency room on a cruise ship....please.

 

Not a condemnation...just a reality check.

[l929]

We took our then 10 month old to the ship infirmary on Celebrity. He just had a cough, but he had never been sick before, so just in case we went. The dr. prescribed antibiotics, but he didnt know how much to give a baby. I called my pediatrician from the ship to shore phone and he told me how much to give. The ship dr. also was very cautious and told us not to get off the ship that day in Cozumel. For some stupid reason we listened. My son was fine. Just make sure you can get in touch with your own doctor, and forget the phone bill at the end.

[Deb in Cali]

There is a thread in the Princess section entitled " Would you take an infant on a cruise". On the thread I posted a story about the hospital where I worked treating children.

 

The moral of the story is that children are speciality items especially when it comes to medical care. That is why there are children's hospitals. IMHO If you want to take an infant or a child on a cruise use Disney, they will have a pediatrian on board.