Which cruise line is better equipped for potential medical needs (epilepsy)?

[bellevuemountain]

Hi! Does anyone know if there are any cruise lines that are better for dealing with potential medical needs? For example epilepsy? I'm aware that certain airlines don't like to have epileptic customers, but would the same apply in cruiselines? I've no idea, and was wondering if anyone had any off-hand experience in the matter! Thanks for any info! :rolleyes:

[KirkNC]

Hi! Does anyone know if there are any cruise lines that are better for dealing with potential medical needs? For example epilepsy? I'm aware that certain airlines don't like to have epileptic customers, but would the same apply in cruiselines? I've no idea, and was wondering if anyone had any off-hand experience in the matter! Thanks for any info! :rolleyes:

 

I would hope they were all equally prepared.

[spookwife]

none of them are going to have any advantage over any other. in fact you can assume the barest minimum of care.

 

yes there are doctors and nurses aboard.. for unexpected( and minor) injuries and illnesses, not chronic issues.

 

if the condition is NOT well managed, I would seriously advise AGAINST cruising. in other words, if seizures are a regular occurrence, even petit mal or blackouts, stay home. but if it has been years since the last episode and you are stable on meds and your doctor sees no reason to believe a trigger is likely, have a blast.

[Hlitner]

As an ex paramedic we have previously had to deal with quite a few seizure issues and from a medical perspective most cases of seizures with a known epileptic are relatively easy to treat. We would assume that most (if not all) cruise ships carry the basic drugs (such as IV diazepam) to treat a Grand Mal seizure. However, we also think that a cruise ship is full of many additional dangers for an uncontrolled epileptic. Ships are not necessarily the best place to fall and there could be even more issues if one has a major seizure while ashore in a port. By the way, if a cruiser has a medical issue that would require a cruise ship doctor to have specific drugs...the passenger can contact the cruise line's medical office in advance and speak to them about the issue. If they feel comfortable with the medical problem they will make sure to carry the appropriate drug/drugs or they might suggest (or demand) that you not take the cruise.

 

Hank

[6rugrats]

Hi! Does anyone know if there are any cruise lines that are better for dealing with potential medical needs? For example epilepsy? I'm aware that certain airlines don't like to have epileptic customers, but would the same apply in cruiselines?

What airlines?

 

As stated, any cruiseline should be able to handle this, and hopefully, the passenger would be taking their meds, and if they weren't well controlled, they would alert medical staff onboard.

 

Look at all the thousands of people who cruise every day with chronic medical conditions.

[TracieABD]

You may want to check the cruise board that is dedicated to Cruisers with Disabilities. There may be additional information there...

[klepton]

Here's an article dealing with medical facilities on cruise ships:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=175

 

The mention Princess, RCL, and Celebrity as having the best facilities onboard, particularly the Oasis class ships. But it gives a breakdown of many cruise lines.

 

For epilepsy specifically, I do think any ship on a major line should have adequate facilities/supplies to deal with it. But make sure you let the cruise line know about any concerns you may have before you sail.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

If I were you, I would call the cruise lines personally and ask these questions of them. Explain the condition of the person and what medications that person is on. Ask what they would be able to do for an epilepsy passanger should that passenger have a seizure.

[Karysa]

OP I would also suggest that your traveling companions know what to do to aid you if you have a seizure. Also, time zone changes throw off sleep cycles and medication times so keep that in mind when choosing an embarkation port. Sleep deprivation is a big trigger for seizures as is alcohol and strobe lights for those reading who are unfamiliar with seizure triggers.

If you get the go ahead from your doctor and the cruise company you might want to look at a cruise that has a medical conference on board. They are usually small but 50 or so added docs on board might be a little reassuring to you. I think that your companions and fellow passengers are going to be the first people to aid you if you have a seizure so why not up the odds that the people who wittness a seizure will actually know how to help. Wearing a medical alert bracelet also informs those that help you of your condition. Your medication then can be retrieved from your cabin for the on board physician and this would also aid him/her in treating you.

http://www.seacourses.com/

[bellevuemountain]

Cruise critic has great members! :D

 

Basically I guess the best idea is to call ahead of time. In our misfortune, we had a wonderful experience with Celebrity. We were supposed to be on the inaugural cruise aboard the Celebrity Reflection (cabin 1518 Aquaclass). I would be on day 5 of my cruise as we speak. I wish I were there, but as Arnold Schartznegger said so eloquently - I'll be back.

 

My neurologist had us cancel due to the long flight (Montreal - Amsterdam), time difference, resistance to the meds, etc. I'm an optimist, one day I'll be ok.

 

Anyway, enough pitying myself (and hubby), the point is that Celebrity refunded everything! 100%! I'd been expecting a certain percentage of refund or a future cruise credit, but they were really comprehensive and refunded us! They couldn't do anything for my bruised ego, but one day I'll go back and hey, why not on a suite!!!

 

Well I would like to thank everyone with your helpful insight. And for the time being, I will be a "cruise voyeurist" through your experiences and enjoy your feedbacks on your cruises!

 

Cheers!

[TracieABD]

Cruise critic has great members! :D

 

Basically I guess the best idea is to call ahead of time. In our misfortune, we had a wonderful experience with Celebrity. We were supposed to be on the inaugural cruise aboard the Celebrity Reflection (cabin 1518 Aquaclass). I would be on day 5 of my cruise as we speak. I wish I were there, but as Arnold Schartznegger said so eloquently - I'll be back.

 

My neurologist had us cancel due to the long flight (Montreal - Amsterdam), time difference, resistance to the meds, etc. I'm an optimist, one day I'll be ok.

 

Anyway, enough pitying myself (and hubby), the point is that Celebrity refunded everything! 100%! I'd been expecting a certain percentage of refund or a future cruise credit, but they were really comprehensive and refunded us! They couldn't do anything for my bruised ego, but one day I'll go back and hey, why not on a suite!!!

 

Well I would like to thank everyone with your helpful insight. And for the time being, I will be a "cruise voyeurist" through your experiences and enjoy your feedbacks on your cruises!

 

Cheers!

In an awful situation, Celebrity certainly stepped up! I hope you are on the mend and on a cruise ship soon!:)

[bellevuemountain]

OP I would also suggest that your traveling companions know what to do to aid you if you have a seizure. Also, time zone changes throw off sleep cycles and medication times so keep that in mind when choosing an embarkation port. Sleep deprivation is a big trigger for seizures as is alcohol and strobe lights for those reading who are unfamiliar with seizure triggers.

If you get the go ahead from your doctor and the cruise company you might want to look at a cruise that has a medical conference on board. They are usually small but 50 or so added docs on board might be a little reassuring to you. I think that your companions and fellow passengers are going to be the first people to aid you if you have a seizure so why not up the odds that the people who wittness a seizure will actually know how to help. Wearing a medical alert bracelet also informs those that help you of your condition. Your medication then can be retrieved from your cabin for the on board physician and this would also aid him/her in treating you.

www.seacourses.com/

 

http://seacourses.qa.ensembletravel.com/template.aspx?id=44759

 

Thank-you! I'll keep your website in mind!

[Bonnie J.]

Met a Maitre'd on Carnival who has quite a story. He had a heart attack on the Lido deck around noon. The ship diverted to Port Canaveral, the clossest port. They got there around 11PM. At the hospital he was told if it weren't for the care he got ON the ship before getting to the port, he would be in a wheel chair or pine box! He was back on the ship when we met him but about to leave for his 3 month check up. Haven't seen him since then but he never told his wife he had the heart attack! Said she wouldn't let him come back if he had. (Swore his brother to secracy!) I've wondered what she said as he was going to tell her. They live in Orlando. Hope we'lll see him again to find out!

[wantocruisemore]

I would hope that all ships are equally prepared.

 

I have epilepsy, diagnosed while in school so I have been on meds a long time. It did take a few months though to find the right medicine that controled everything. Even today I avoid areas where there are strobe lights.

 

I have a mentally disabled DD who is also diabetic. We actually feel better on a cruise chip than some random resort somewhere. We always alert the ships when reserving and in advance of our special needs. Honestly I rather be on the ship in an emergency than at some hotel somewhere.

 

Cruising has given us the comfort and opportunity to see the world safely. Especially with her needs, (she also required a gluten-free diet), cruising is the way to go. Just fill out the special needs and carry any meds you might need.

 

I am glad Celebrity stepped up for you and hope that someday soon you can be regulated and cleared for travel.:)

 

 

Cruise critic has great members! :D

 

Basically I guess the best idea is to call ahead of time. In our misfortune, we had a wonderful experience with Celebrity. We were supposed to be on the inaugural cruise aboard the Celebrity Reflection (cabin 1518 Aquaclass). I would be on day 5 of my cruise as we speak. I wish I were there, but as Arnold Schartznegger said so eloquently - I'll be back.

 

My neurologist had us cancel due to the long flight (Montreal - Amsterdam), time difference, resistance to the meds, etc. I'm an optimist, one day I'll be ok.

 

Anyway, enough pitying myself (and hubby), the point is that Celebrity refunded everything! 100%! I'd been expecting a certain percentage of refund or a future cruise credit, but they were really comprehensive and refunded us! They couldn't do anything for my bruised ego, but one day I'll go back and hey, why not on a suite!!!

 

Well I would like to thank everyone with your helpful insight. And for the time being, I will be a "cruise voyeurist" through your experiences and enjoy your feedbacks on your cruises!

 

Cheers!

[PennyAgain]

We traveled for years with a family member who had seizures and knew from our own experiences that we were much more capable of taking care of this person during and after a seizure than the medical people on board.

 

However, that said, we found the best level of medical care to be on HAL.

 

Our greatest fear was that we and our person would be put ashore after a seizure happened.

 

Finally HAL told us that our person was not welcome to cruise again with that company but we were allowed to complete that last cruise.

 

It was not the seizure issue, but her advancing age that ended her cruising.

[CrusinCyndi]

DH has had Epilepsy for 50 years, mostly controlled with medication, nothing is ever controlled 100%. I know how to handle anything that comes up with him. We always always always take extra medication with us. We have completed 22 cruises with # 23 coming up on various cruise lines, all over the world with the various time zone changes thrown into the mix..I've never considered it a problem and neither has he. He keeps to our time zone here in the midwest no matter where we are in the world.

[bellevuemountain]

DH has had Epilepsy for 50 years, mostly controlled with medication, nothing is ever controlled 100%. I know how to handle anything that comes up with him. We always always always take extra medication with us. We have completed 22 cruises with # 23 coming up on various cruise lines, all over the world with the various time zone changes thrown into the mix..I've never considered it a problem and neither has he. He keeps to our time zone here in the midwest no matter where we are in the world.

 

Hi Cyndi, I'd like to ask a quick question... once it is pretty well controlled and I'm able to travel once more... Does your DH need to declare it (a bit like for your driving licence) and are there any cruise lines that are more tolerant? I'm fully aware that I definitely am not able for the moment, but optimism is the best solution!

 

Thanks...

[CrusinCyndi]

Hi Cyndi, I'd like to ask a quick question... once it is pretty well controlled and I'm able to travel once more... Does your DH need to declare it (a bit like for your driving licence) and are there any cruise lines that are more tolerant? I'm fully aware that I definitely am not able for the moment, but optimism is the best solution!

 

Thanks...

 

I would love to talk more....let me try to get ahold of you via the board here and if I can't figure it out, I will give you my e-mail address.

[simply coffee]

woah, my dd has epilepsy. I never once thought that I'd have to declare that to a cruise ship. (she's a teenager). (granted, if it's listed on a medical form, I tick it off, so I might have ticked it off and forgotten about that form). Also, I have never thought to inform an airline ... I did check with her Doctor about flying, he said she was fine to fly (and she was, no problems, but I did watch her like a hawk.

 

We are booked on a cruise in the spring ... it will involve an all day flight with a 3 hr time change. I didn't even think about the time change! (although, she did fine when we flew previously with a time change).

 

On our last cruise (Alaska, this past summer) I wanted to give her sleep medication as she was having troubles sleeping. But, I didn't know what the reaction might be with her medication ... so I didn't give her anything. (I will check with the doctor before our next cruise, just in case.

[elleks]

My DH is epileptic, and while I always declare it on our travel insurance (bumps the cost up a bit) I have never mentioned it to the cruise line.

We sailed Ventura in September, and stupidly miscalculated how much medication to bring.So we went down to the medical centre, and as they didn't have it on board they made arrangements to collect some at our next port of call.

They collected it themselves, and phoned our cabin to let us know it was there.Excellent service.

[room010]

A ships infirmary cannot possibly carry the full range of medications for every possible chronic condition. Look on it as a mini ER with basic diagnostic and treatments, not a fully equipped clinic able to handle every eventuality. Those of us with ongoing medical issues (me included) have to take responsibility to ensure we are more or less stabilised, carry adequate medication, ensure our travel companion(s) know how to use it if necessary if we are incapacitated and be upfront and honest with the cruiseline about what our medical needs may be. It's only fair to everyone.

 

If your condition unfortunately means that any episodes are likely to require hospitalisation then we have to ask ourselves if being stuck on a ship a long way from such specialist medical intervention is the best option for a relaxing vacation not to mention the major disruption (and cost) of any medical evacuation.

[Dawn1004]

My son is epileptic, on epilem, twice a day - since a young age.

 

We have flew and cruised around Oz with no issues, travelling to USA, via New Zealand, for Alaska cruise we were a little concerned, more so for the way we'd be treated carrying all the bottles of liquid medicine, I took additional bottles in case of breakages, or delays, had a dr's note, and midway through the flight where we had to administer the usual night time /morning doses we just prewarned the stewardess of what we were doing, just in case.

 

We found everythink A OK, we had it listed on the NCL passenger details, travel insurance etc and we didn't encounter any issurs at the flight departures, apart from testing of the bottles - we were pleasantly surprised.

 

I think if your epileptic traveller was having regular seizures I would keep them from the sides of the ship, just in case. But I do think the medical crew would be well prepared for such an incident.

 

Epilepsy shouldn't stop you doing something so enjoyable.

 

Happy cruisin.

[PennyAgain]

My late MIL cruised for decades and never declared her condition, however all the cruise lines keep medical records on passengers who have visited the doc on board or have had serious problems.

 

Her meds were every 12 hours so we just kept her on the home time (a watch set for that) and never changed anything.

 

We were very careful with her in hot climates as it seemed she suffered from the heat but no idea if it was related or not.

 

It was her very advanced age that ended her cruising. She had dozens and dozens of happy cruises.

[southpaw_1979]

There is no reason for an epilieptic not to cruise. As with any activity there are precautions that have to be taken. We certainly cannot assess the risk here as we do not know how well controlled the seizures are or even what kind of seizure they are.

 

Certainly some people know their triggers others do not. Some people can take meds at the first sign of a seizure to help counter the seizure.

 

Regular sleep, abstinence from alcohol are all good precautions while cruising and certainly letting the people around you know about your condition.

[PennyAgain]

and sometimes stuff just happens.

 

We have a much younger family member who also has seizures and is doing very well but we are tense over the teenage years and various risk factors for teens in general.

 

In our long years of experience on this topic it is much easier to travel with the very young with a seizure disorder and the elderly.

 

But that said, we've had many dozens of successful cruises. Late MIL had about 30.