Is Carnival's Infirmary equipped to handle an allergic reaction?

[SadieN]

Another thing about peanut allergies---

 

Lots of things are derived from legumes. The hardest to eliminate is Xanthan Gum. It's in everything, including ice cream and sprinkles.

 

Talk with your doctor, nutritionist or dietician about what else to look for and elimination diets.

Edited May 2, 2014 by SadieN

[RuthlessBoss]

We are sailing in June and our 1 yr old was just diagnosed with a peanut allergy. I am a nervous wreck. We have an epi pen and I called the cruise already but is the infirmary equipped to handle the after effects of an epi pen?

 

I was told that god forbid you have to use the epi pen, you must bring straight the the hospital.

 

What did the cruise line say when you called? Did you ask about the infirmary?

[jimbo5544]

What did the cruise line say when you called? Did you ask about the infirmary?

 

 

Interesting thread, we had the opportunity to visit the infirmary a couple of times on different ships. They are completely equipped, even having dialysis machines. They are staffed with at least a nurse and a doctor. Our last visit was for our grandson who had a seizure. Sat phones allowed us to communicate with our physicians back home as well.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[more cruises]

Carnival should have a form for you to fill out where you list your medical needs. That form will be sent to the ship. If they have any questions they will contact you before the cruise. I think you list dietary restrictions on that form as well.

 

I see that insurance has been recommended. It may be hard at this point to find one that covers preexisting conditions. You can call insuremytrip.com and see what they advise. Be sure to get one with high medivac coverage. My bank account could survive most doctor visits but medivacs start at around $50,000 and that's a bill I never want to have to pay.

[KPfromCT]

I would definitely call their special needs department. I don't know anyone that has allergies, that require an EPI pen, but I would certainly want to know IF we had to use it, can they help?

I would think in this day and age, with all of these kids with peanut allergies, they should be well equipped.

Call.

Good Luck, OP!:D:D

[packedandready]

The quality of care most probably depends on the level of skill of the medical workers on board on your particular sailing.

[aaron3219]

My good friend was on a cruise with another line, I can't remember who it was now two summers ago. His daughter was climbing up the ladder into the bunk bed, she is 7. So she was full capable of doing it alone. She slipped, landed on her arm and broke it.

 

The people at the infirmary would not answer the phone. Finally he grabbed her up and kicked the door open to the infirmary and they were playing cards! The had no idea what to do for her and had nothing on board for pain other than some aspirin.

 

Luckily they were only about 8 hours from the port in Florida, and they had an ambulance waiting at the dock, they were first off the boat and took her straight to the hospital.

 

It was a pathetic display. I forget what ship he was on. They flew to Florida to get on the boat instead of going out of MD which would of been Pride.

Edited May 6, 2014 by aaron3219

[LHP]

I usually compare the medical facilities on a ship to a minor med when trying to explain to someone what they can handle.

 

The downside is that they do not have the pediatric designation, so be aware of that.

[kteachcruiser52]

Our 7 year old granddaughter has a peanut/tree nut allergy. They have an injection system that is easier to use than the epi-pen. It is called Auvi-Q and is by Sanofi. It comes in a 2 pack with each injector about half the size of a cell phone. It talks you through each step of administering an injection. There is also a trainer (without medication or needle) that lets you practice and know just what to expect. If needed we are to give her one packet of liquid benedryl (Walgreens brand) and use one of the injectors. If medical help has not arrived in 5 minutes and she is havng difficulty breathing, we are to give her a second injection. Make sure you understand exactly what you are to do if your child has a reaction as it may be different for each child. Carry a copy of the doctor's instructions with you. Do you know the severity of the allergy? If someone touches a surface after eating a PB sandwich and then your child touches that surface will he/she have a reaction. Will that send the into shock or does he/she actually have to eat something with peanuts or cross contamination with peanuts?

 

When we took her to Disney for a week we requested a deep clean of the room. They cleaned carpets, wiped all surfaces, and changed all bedding in the room and put a save on the room. Our daughter used to be an operations manager at a national chain and she says while linens are changed for each guest, the top covers are not. Ask special needs about through cleaning. We also made a sign that explained that our granddaughter had a peanut allergy and asked the people who cleaned our room to help us keep our granddaughter safe by washing hands before touching anything in our room. We also left them a nice tip each day.

 

When we travel with her . we cover the airline seat with a fitted twin sheet and wipe down all the surfaces she could touch - window area, backs of seats, armrests. Southwest Airlines will let people that have documentation of their child's peanut allergy to board first. ( Our doctor said Disney World was the safest vacation for a peanut allergy child.)

 

Since your child is under 2 you can control a lot by carrying or putting him/her in a stroller. I would consider carrying on food and snacks for the child. They will heat it, but again make sure they know it may not come into contact with any surface that may be contaminated with peanuts. Ask questions about anything you feed your child. Some artificial flavorings have peanut. I would avoid giving ay bread products as they have a high possibility of being made where nut are present. For example, Disney could not guarantee any of their bread or pastry products as having no contamination a they came from outside suppliers. This would be true of anything carnival got from an outside supplier. When we went to the character breakfasts at Disney, the chef would come out and talk to us. Whatever food she wanted was then prepared in its own are with all cleaned cookware. I do not know if Carnival can do this but it would not hurt to ask.

Be sure to have epi-pens with you and medical information with you if you get off at ports. Make sure you have a cell and the ships emergency number. If I were taking excursions, I would stick to Carnival excursions as you would not want to take any chances that language misunderstanding would effect the ability to get prompt medical help.

It will get easier the longer you deal with it. At first, it is very scary. If possible, have medical/evacuation insurance. There is online support with a lot of suggestions from moms with peanut allergy children. As our granddaughter is the only one in her elementary school with that allergy, it is good to have a support group. Our specialist aid there is a 20% chance, they will outgrow it by age 5, but if it persists beyond that age they are likely to deal with it throughout life. I hope your child is one of the lucky ones that outgrow it. It really has not affected our granddaughters quality of life. She has traveled with her parents many times. Just use common sense and prepare as much as you can before you travel.

Edited May 8, 2014 by kteachcruiser52