Medical emergencies on the rise?

[constantcruiser]

We were on the Navigator two weeks ago, and there was a medical emergency that caused us to return to Galveston about 7 hours after we departed. It may have been because we were at sea for the first two days, and the situation couldn't wait until we reached our first port.

 

Because we returned to a US port, they had to shut down the casino and shops for several hours until we were back in international waters again. During the Captains Corner later in the cruise, someone asked the captain how much the evacuation cost RCI in extra fuel and lost revenue but he declined to answer.

 

This was the first time in 40 cruises where we've been aboard a ship that diverted its course due to a medical emergency.

[negc]

Unless someone has actual statistical evidence that indicates a rise in the number of such incidents, I doubt that the anecdotal evidence offered by a limited number of cruisers is sufficient to show that such a trend actually exists. Before we speculate on the reasons for such a rise, we ought to be sure that there actually is such an increase.

[John&LaLa]

Unless someone has actual statistical evidence that indicates a rise in the number of such incidents, I doubt that the anecdotal evidence offered by a limited number of cruisers is sufficient to show that such a trend actually exists. Before we speculate on the reasons for such a rise, we ought to be sure that there actually is such an increase.

 

It was just an observation, no need to get statistics brought in. :o However, we have been on 49 cruises, have been diverted 3 times total. So statistically the diversions are on the rise for us. ;)

 

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[rjrpar]

It was just an observation, no need to get statistics brought in. :o However, we have been on 49 cruises, have been diverted 3 times total. So statistically the diversions are on the rise for us. ;)

 

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Statistics is the only way to verify if your observations are correct. Why waste time explaining something that may not even be accurate

[thegima]

We had to turn around 15 minutes after leaving Port Canaveral on FOS 2 years ago for a medical emergency. Luckily we were able to make up time and made it to all of the ports.

 

I think a lot of people do things they don't normally do while on cruises, hell that's what RC pushes is to "get out there and try new things". Well, when you have people that may not be in the best health getting "out there" it doesn't always end well. People tend to drink more on cruises and almost always eat more or differently than normal. If you're in decent health this isn't really a concern but if you're already unhealthy, consuming more food, drinking more alcohol/soda, sleeping weird hours, and then try to climb a rock wall or walk 5 flights of stairs 10 times in one day something bad might happen.

[bigboffs]

When a person needs medical evacuation, normally they are taken to the nearest "appropriate" medical facility. The patient does not make the choice and "world class" is not material. In the Caribbean we have seen people taken off to hospitals in places like Nassau and the Dominican Republic . If the patient is lucky enough to be near the US, that's where they are taken. In Europe we have seen evacuations to Italy, Greece and Turkey.

[John&LaLa]

When a person needs medical evacuation, normally they are taken to the nearest "appropriate" medical facility. The patient does not make the choice and "world class" is not material. In the Caribbean we have seen people taken off to hospitals in places like Nassau and the Dominican Republic . If the patient is lucky enough to be near the US, that's where they are taken. In Europe we have seen evacuations to Italy, Greece and Turkey.

 

The comment on Nassau was sarcastic, hence the smilies. All I really wanted to know was how many folks had experienced diversions for medical. Thanks for replying to that though

 

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[Grannycb]

Perhaps the biggest deviation in itineraries for us was on a transatlantic from FL to the Med. in 2010. We made an unscheduled stop in Bermuda to take a critically ill passenger and family off the ship. The captain made up the extra time and got us to Gibraltar on schedule.

 

Thank goodness the cruise lines do things like that to save lives.

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

On one of our round trip Hawaii cruises we began the 4 sea days back to SD. We had sailed for 18 hours when we needed to turn around because a man had a heart attack, it was closer to go back towards Honolulu than to continue 3 days to SD. So we back tracked 12 hours, close enough for the helicopter to meet us.

 

I was told by an officer that it is the doctors and captains decision as to where the patient will need to be taken to and/or evacuated from.

 

***

[John&LaLa]

On one of our round trip Hawaii cruises we began the 4 sea days back to SD. We had sailed for 18 hours when we needed to turn around because a man had a heart attack, it was closer to go back towards Honolulu than to continue 3 days to SD. So we back tracked 12 hours, close enough for the helicopter to meet us.

 

I was told by an officer that it is the doctors and captains decision as to where the patient will need to be taken to and/or evacuated from.

 

***

 

Wow, 24 hours of fuel burned plus the added expense to increase speed to make up the time back to SD. Any idea what that costs

 

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[chengkp75]

Wow, 24 hours of fuel burned plus the added expense to increase speed to make up the time back to SD. Any idea what that costs

 

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Not sure what ship, so I'll guesstimate horsepower. Let's say, conservatively, that the ship burns 190 metric tons of fuel per day at sea (about right for a mid-size cruise ship these days). So, the 12 hours back, and the 12 hours forward is 190 mt. To get from Honolulu to San Diego with 4 sea days, means 4 24 hour days plus about another 18 hours (first night after departure Honolulu and last night before arrival), so that's about 20 knots. To make up the lost 24 hours would require a speed of 25 knots (pretty darn good for a ship without benefit of a current, and not sure the ship could or did make up all the time). The difference in speed would require most likely another 30-40 mt per day, for the remaining 3 days.

 

So, we are looking at 190+35+35+35=295 metric tons of additional fuel. A couple of years ago, bunker fuel was $750/metric ton, or a total cost of $221,250. Close to a quarter of a million bucks.

[DianeMMHH]

We've been on three ships that were diverted for a medical emergency. The first was in 2000 and it involved a very fast full turn to get the ship back to Cozumel.

 

Second was 1 to 2 year later and we were diverted back to Cape Canaveral shortly after sail away.

 

Third was on the Oasis TA, we went about 30 off course to take a patient off near Bermuda (we did not dock, the patient was taken off in a boat when we got near). There was also a call for people with blood donor cards and a certain blood type later on in the cruise.

 

All in all, I do not think it is increasing at all (other than bigger ships do have more passengers and crew, which means the same percentage of people could have an issue but a ship is more likely to have an emergency onboard).

 

And I cannot imagine thinking of my vacation being impacted in such a situation! My concerns are worry, worry, worry for the patient and possibly a bit of interest in seeing how it all works.

 

I do wish we had had some follow up announcement of how the patients were doing on Oasis. On my first two cruises that were diverted we WERE updated later in the cruise, which was nice.

 

We were on the Oasis Transatlantic when we diverted to Bermuda to help a sick passenger. I was thankful that the emergency occurred while we were still near land! The same cruise, we also heard the announcement that there was an emergency and they needed blood. DH went down to medical but they already had enough donors. DH did not have his Red Cross Blood Donor Card with him. It would have been helpful to have it. Another thing to remember to take in the future!

 

Diane

Edited September 26, 2014 by DianeMMHH

[abridalmaven]

We had to turn around 15 minutes after leaving Port Canaveral on FOS 2 years ago for a medical emergency. Luckily we were able to make up time and made it to all of the ports.

 

I think a lot of people do things they don't normally do while on cruises, hell that's what RC pushes is to "get out there and try new things". Well, when you have people that may not be in the best health getting "out there" it doesn't always end well. People tend to drink more on cruises and almost always eat more or differently than normal. If you're in decent health this isn't really a concern but if you're already unhealthy, consuming more food, drinking more alcohol/soda, sleeping weird hours, and then try to climb a rock wall or walk 5 flights of stairs 10 times in one day something bad might happen.

 

 

Even perfectly healthy people can get sick or have an accident. On our Alaska cruise we raced to our next port earlier because of an accident where one of the crew was hurt. Obviously it was more than the doctors on the ship could handle.

[John&LaLa]

Not sure what ship, so I'll guesstimate horsepower. Let's say, conservatively, that the ship burns 190 metric tons of fuel per day at sea (about right for a mid-size cruise ship these days). So, the 12 hours back, and the 12 hours forward is 190 mt. To get from Honolulu to San Diego with 4 sea days, means 4 24 hour days plus about another 18 hours (first night after departure Honolulu and last night before arrival), so that's about 20 knots. To make up the lost 24 hours would require a speed of 25 knots (pretty darn good for a ship without benefit of a current, and not sure the ship could or did make up all the time). The difference in speed would require most likely another 30-40 mt per day, for the remaining 3 days.

 

So, we are looking at 190+35+35+35=295 metric tons of additional fuel. A couple of years ago, bunker fuel was $750/metric ton, or a total cost of $221,250. Close to a quarter of a million bucks.

 

Bigger wow, thanks for the breakdown. Even more than I imagined, and I have a big imagination :o

 

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[wieslaw]

......

So, we are looking at 190+35+35+35=295 metric tons of additional fuel. A couple of years ago, bunker fuel was $750/metric ton, or a total cost of $221,250. Close to a quarter of a million bucks.

 

In this or a similar scenario when the ship spends so much extra money - who pays for it ? the cruise line ? the patient's medical insurance ? the ship's insurance ?

[Clarea]

In this or a similar scenario when the ship spends so much extra money - who pays for it ? the cruise line ? the patient's medical insurance ? the ship's insurance ?

To my knowledge, the cruise line eats the extra cost.

[John&LaLa]

To my knowledge, the cruise line eats the extra cost.

 

Yes, they eat it. But they digest it by eliminating chocolates and pens. :D

 

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[travelplus]

If people are not able to cruise due to a medical condition I feel sorry but on the other hand they should not be cruising. I know that people can suffer an unannounced medical emergency but for those that know they absolutely need to be close to a medical facility and doctor that they re-think their cruse.

 

Also it pays to have third party medical insurance as well and to ensure that they will be covered for their pre-exisiting medical condition and to get it as soon as their deposit has been made.

 

I wish more people would be more proactive and get all the necessary vaccines. I always get my annual flu shot not only for myself but to protect other prone passengers.

 

If I knew I had a condition that would preclude me from cruising I would decide to take the precaution and not cruise until my condition improved.

[Peterbilt Driver]

We have seen 6 medevacs on different cruises

1 Voyager crewman hurt in engin room made hard dash towards cozamel to meet Mexican coast guard helicopter

 

2 Voyager trans-Atlantic passenger evaced by pilot boat to key west

 

3 Jewl trans-Atlantic passenger evaced in Azores

 

4 Navigator trans-Atlantic passenger evaced to key west

 

5 same Navigator trans-Atlantic made quick stop into port Everglades to evac passenger

 

6 Adventure trans-Atlantic passenger evaced in canary islands

[gw2fll]

We had our first "deviation" in April on Celebrity Equinox.

 

We had departed Barbados - about 5 minutes out - and the captain came on to announce that we had to return to port to disembark a passenger for medical reasons. However, we had to wait for the Carnival ship to exit since they had already started leaving.

 

We docked at the berth we were at during the day. About an hour later, the Captain announced that we would be delayed longer since the ambulance was not properly equipped to transport the patient and they had to send the ships equipment and nurse with the patient to the hospital and await the return of the nurse (and I assume equipment). I think in total we were delayed about 3 hours; however, we arrived at our next port on time.

 

It was kind of reassuring to know the ship was that well equipped. (They never announced how the patient was doing.)

[bethco]

My wife was on the Independence TA this May and they were diverted to Nassau as well. Does Nassau have world class medical care that I don't know about.

 

Independence TA in May did NOT divert to Nassau for a medical emergency. We were originally scheduled to go to Nassau but a few weeks out the itinerary was changed to San Juan instead. This was because Customs & Immigration was going to require a full several hour long check of everyone if we stopped in Nassau before going to St Thomas. We DID, however, turn around and go back to St Maarten several hours after we had left to the Atlantic crossing. A passenger had a stroke and there was time to get her back for treatment.

 

I have read about medical emergencies on cruises since I first found cruise critic. The most Alpha, Alpha, Alpha calls that I have heard on a cruise were on the Transtatlantic, with passengers taken off by ambulance at each of our ports along the way. This seems quite common with Transatlantics given the demographic who is most able to take those cruises.

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

Wow, 24 hours of fuel burned plus the added expense to increase speed to make up the time back to SD. Any idea what that costs

 

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It was the Serenade and we set a record for the fastest and longest time at top speed. We had plenty of fuel. The seas were a bit choppy and we were literly skipping on top of the water! :eek:

 

I don't remember the cost, but RC did a fantastic job. Everyone got free WIFI to make changes to air lines, book hotels or what ever you needed.

We did have insurance and it covered all our delayed costs, air, hotel and taxi and food.

 

Originally we were told we would be up to 24 hours late, as we skipped across the water, we made up time, next report was just 12 hours late and in the end we were just 4 and half hours late into SD.

 

 

***

[DaNana]

If people are not able to cruise due to a medical condition I feel sorry but on the other hand they should not be cruising. I know that people can suffer an unannounced medical emergency but for those that know they absolutely need to be close to a medical facility and doctor that they re-think their cruse.

 

Also it pays to have third party medical insurance as well and to ensure that they will be covered for their pre-exisiting medical condition and to get it as soon as their deposit has been made.

 

I wish more people would be more proactive and get all the necessary vaccines. I always get my annual flu shot not only for myself but to protect other prone passengers.

 

If I knew I had a condition that would preclude me from cruising I would decide to take the precaution and not cruise until my condition improved.

There are many urgent medical conditions which are not known to the person/s when going on a cruise or any vacation. A few things that come to mind: Stroke, heart attack, aneurysm, new seizure disorder, bowel obstruction and the list goes on. Perhaps a few people do go on a cruise knowing they have a health issue. Most will never have an issue. For the few that do, that is life. May none of us on here ever be faced with being the one responsible for a ship having to reroute for a medical emergency.

[airbusdrvr]

I was on Liberty in December 2012 and Captain made an announcement during first dining asking if anyone would volunteer to donate A- blood type. One hour later we turned toward Turks& Caicos to meet inbound CG helicopter to remove passenger. After 3 attempts to land in high winds they did a winch retrieval and we had to skip Falmouth Jamaica the next day . Just another reason to aways have good emergency medical evacuation insurance before you cruise .

Edited September 27, 2014 by airbusdrvr

[MattInFLL]

On Majesty now. We turned back to Miami tonight for a medical emergency/ evacuation. Captain announced we will still make Cococay as planned and we seem to be crossing much faster than usual.

 

 

Hopefully the person affected is Ok.