Cruising with the challenge of health issues...Plz tell me your stories

[Host Walt]

We are a couple weeks out from out next cruise now. It's going to be our shortest one yet. Only 4 days and we are driving to our embarkation port in Long Beach. We'll be seeing Catalina and Ensenada plus a sea day. I just love, Love, LOVE seadays!

 

This is going to be our first oceanview cabin. We've always booked balconies in the past and it's worked out great in case I get laid up in the cabin. You can always go out on the balcony for some fresh air and people watch if you're not able to get off the ship while in port.

 

This time, I'm concerned mostly about having reactions from the cleaning chemicals and other passengers perfume/cologne. When you have a balcony it's easy to air out the cabin. Also, with other balcony cabins around you it helps air out the hallways. I was doing much better but my crazy immune system has been giving me problems again so I guess we'll just have to see what happens.

 

Hopefully I will be able to eat without too many issues. This shall be a test. One which I expect to pass with flying colors..that or be eating benadryl like crazy. Lord just please don't make me have to drag out the prednisone.

 

On a more positive note at least my insane back pain is more under control. I was finally able to actually try on clothes yesterday. What a concept eh. The suitcase has been out for weeks but still not packed so hoping to remedy that within the next week.

 

I'm really excited about cruising around the holidays..hoping the ship will be all decorated. Never cruised around Christmas. Do they have Christmas trees allover and lots of lights? I'm thinking we may bring some battery operated ones for the cabin. I wonder if alot of people decorate their cabins around the holidays?

Just a comment here.

 

Back in April I underwent surgery with a bit of post op complications. All is well now, but we booked a 14 day transAtlantic on Princess leaving Barcelona on 10/3/15.

 

My doctor said the only cruising I should be doing that soon after the procedure would be sailing my rubber ducky in the bathtub. Reason? He did not like the fact that I would be as much as 9 days away from qualified medical intervention if something went seriously wrong while we were at sea. It wasn't a slam at the ship's doctor but more the possibility that a problem could arise that he/she couldn't handle without a specialist.

 

He suggested just whet you did; a 4 day California Coastal which we did. It was fun and no bad things happened, but it made total sense.

 

As for your question about chemicals, I really recommend that you discuss the cleaning materials matter with your doctor. During our 4 day sail on the Emerald our room was treated with chemicals for possible noro-virus because my wife told the steward that she was not feeling well. (It was a simple case of physical tiredness but it demonstrated how seriously they take any medical issues.)

 

I assume you are sailing Carnival because that's the only cruise line that operates out of Long Beach, so I can't comment on their procedures in the event of a suspected noro-virus, but I would think it would be pretty much the same.

Edited November 28, 2015 by Host Walt

[Lil2Angelic]

Just a comment here.

 

Back in April I underwent surgery with a bit of post op complications. All is well now, but we booked a 14 day transAtlantic on Princess leaving Barcelona on 10/3/15.

 

My doctor said the only cruising I should be doing that soon after the procedure would be sailing my rubber ducky in the bathtub. Reason? He did not like the fact that I would be as much as 9 days away from qualified medical intervention if something went seriously wrong while we were at sea. It wasn't a slam at the ship's doctor but more the possibility that a problem could arise that he/she couldn't handle without a specialist.

 

He suggested just whet you did; a 4 day California Coastal which we did. It was fun and no bad things happened, but it made total sense.

 

As for your question about chemicals, I really recommend that you discuss the cleaning materials matter with your doctor. During our 4 day sail on the Emerald our room was treated with chemicals for possible noro-virus because my wife told the steward that she was not feeling well. (It was a simple case of physical tiredness but it demonstrated how seriously they take any medical issues.)

 

I assume you are sailing Carnival because that's the only cruise line that operates out of Long Beach, so I can't comment on their procedures in the event of a suspected noro-virus, but I would think it would be pretty much the same.

 

Host Walt..Thanks so much for your input! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment! Yes it is Carnival that we will be cruising...if we make it. I ended up in the E.R. this morning with abdominal pain. CT scan showed colitis.

 

I was rx'd antibiotics but now having an allergic reaction. Not sure if it's the antibiotics or the contrast from the CT scan. Sigh..I'm hoping it's the contrast they had me drink because if it's the antibiotics I'm in big trouble and will definitely have to go back to the E.R. We're still not giving up on our cruise yet though.

 

Waiting to see if the benadryl kicks in and will go from there. My poor husband. :( We both really need this cruise but I think he needs it more. I told him if I can't go he needs to go without me.

 

The other thing is this cruise was suppose to give us the extra days we needed so we could board priority as Platinum for the Vista inaugural next year. I know if I can't go he would have fun once he meets some of the other passengers but he is saying no. He doesn't even want to discuss that option at this point.

[Host Walt]

Good luck on the diagnosis. The reason we selected the 4 day cruise to Catalina is that, if I had a serious problem I was very close to top notch medical facilities in LA or San Diego. My operation was performed at the Keck Hospital, part of the USC school of medicine and my doctor made arrangements with a specialist in San Diego who could handle my case if something happened that could not be handled temporarily by the ship's doctor.

 

In my case I had my doctor check me out the day before we drove down to San Pedro and he gave me the OK. I contacted him via email each day with my BP and heart rate and anything not normal that my daily visit with the ship doctor discovered. Turns out nothing abnormal was discovered.

 

In other words if your MD has contacts in LA and SD, you are close enough to get specialist treatment rather quickly if something should happen.

 

BTW, we bought trip insurance through Princess (we are Platimum with Princess so we got a good price with extra coverage for air evacuation if needed).

 

Again, good luck and hopefully you will be cleared to go.

[Lil2Angelic]

Good luck on the diagnosis. The reason we selected the 4 day cruise to Catalina is that, if I had a serious problem I was very close to top notch medical facilities in LA or San Diego. My operation was performed at the Keck Hospital, part of the USC school of medicine and my doctor made arrangements with a specialist in San Diego who could handle my case if something happened that could not be handled temporarily by the ship's doctor.

 

In my case I had my doctor check me out the day before we drove down to San Pedro and he gave me the OK. I contacted him via email each day with my BP and heart rate and anything not normal that my daily visit with the ship doctor discovered. Turns out nothing abnormal was discovered.

 

In other words if your MD has contacts in LA and SD, you are close enough to get specialist treatment rather quickly if something should happen.

 

BTW, we bought trip insurance through Princess (we are Platimum with Princess so we got a good price with extra coverage for air evacuation if needed).

 

Again, good luck and hopefully you will be cleared to go.

 

Thanks Walt! I will definitely have to be cleared by my doc before we go. I know I can be seen at UCLA in case of emergency when we're in SoCal. We are from there and also have family and friends in L.A.

[psupa]

One reason while DH and I cruise now instead of waiting for retirement. Even now there is consideration to be made for the "what ifs" as it relates to his health issues. Reasonable access to emergency care dictates where we go now.

 

My DH recently became disabled with a mobility issue. We are so glad we started cruising when we were younger and still working and got to see and do what we wanted. We are both retired now, but still cruise with some limitations. I always said do it if and while you can because you never know.

 

Theresa

[psupa]

Thank you all so much for your input. My husband uses a rollator walker to get around on the ship, but we are thinking of renting him a scooter which would make is so much easier for him to go anywhere on the ship. I need to mention that we just got off the NCL Gem and their debarkation for disabled passengers was the worst we have ever experienced. We waited over 2 hours to get wheel chair assistance to get off the ship and when we finally got into the terminal to get our luggage there were no porters. We were a few of the last passengers to get off, so they had to go outside and bring some porters back inside. This should never had happened and NCL really needs to improve on their embarkation and debarkation procedure in New York.

 

I called Special Needs at Sea to inquire about renting a scooter next time we sail from NY. I was told that in NY they have a Kiosk in the terminal so they bring the scooter to you and you can board the ship with it and use it to debark and leave it at the Kiosk, so you don't have to wait for wheel chair assistance from the ship. We will probably rent a scooter for future cruises from any port we sail from (NY, Bayonne or Baltimore).

 

Theresa

[kitty9]

Lil2, sorry to get back here so late, but to answer your question, yes, we've been in Las Vegas at least 10 times on NYE. We don't go out on the Strip, but we do have a suite overlooking the Strip, so we watch the fireworks that are shot off many of the hotels. It's an amazing site.

 

I hope you're going to feel better and will be cruising often.

[marelind]

The OP wanted stories about how people with health issues manage to continue cruising. DH has COPD. I love to travel; he does not, but he will travel with me just to make me happy (I'm a blessed woman!). It takes a bit more planning, but we pretty much have it worked out. Here's how we plan:

- notify the airlines DH needs a wheelchair in the airport; it makes it so much easier to get through TSA and down the long hallways to the gate

- contact the cruise line access desk ahead of time to let them know about his disability

- we bring a statement from his doctor with all vital health information in case there is a problem

- we purchase platinum travel insurance within two weeks of booking in order to get the pre-existing condition coverage and we get the medical upgrade

- work with the cruise line to have an oxygen concentrator in the cabin

- have a little larger cabin, because he stays in the cabin a lot

- bring a lot of antiseptic hand wipes and use after touching anything, especially handrails, elevator buttons, etc.; use the "bubble" going into dining rooms; wash hands as soon as you enter your cabin

- DH stays on board while I take the tours (he wouldn't take the tours anyway, even without the health issues)

- he maintains his workout routine even on board

- DH just chimed in "You have to be willing to give up some of your vanity and accept and seek out the wheelchair at embarkation and the airport; and you have to be smart, for those of us with respiratory issues, and put on a mask if someone is coughing and sneezing near you; and you need a loving, helpful spouse/family/companion to help you (I didn't pay him to say that ;) ).

- advocate for yourself with crew for appropriate accommodations with the muster drill

- DH prefers to find cruises where he takes a flight to the port of embarkation and then cruise back to Los Angeles, our home port, in case he gets sick on the cruise then he doesn't have to fly home

 

I started another thread about this, but DH has a weekly IV infusion of a medication he takes. In the past, with his doctor's approval, he has skipped this treatment when we take a 7-day or 14-day. Well, I have wanted to do a two week South America cruise for a long time, then DH saw that we could do a B2B cruise around the Horn then continue on the repositioning cruise to LA, which makes it a 32-day cruise. That made it too long of a time for him to skip his treatments. We looked into it, and the cruise line said the doctor on board would administer the IV (for a fee) if we brought the medication and supplies with us. That was fine, but DH is not so thrilled with taking pot luck with whoever starts his IV. So, he asked if I would be willing to learn how to start his IV. I was shocked, but having watched his nurse start the IV for the last few years, I thought I could. Well, a year later I am very experienced and competent at starting his IV. We will be embarking 3/26/15. We are looking forward to this cruise with anticipation and some trepidation. We make the accommodation we have to make to do what we love to do.

[Scooter girl 58]

what a good post. I was born with a form of spina bifida and as I grew older it caused me more and more problems. I now can not walk far and suffer a lot of extreme pain. I had not had a holiday for 15 years, my sons had all left home and I wanted to travel, DH had no interest in holidays so 5 years ago I took the plunge and booked a cruise with a friend. I woke up night after night with panic attacks and very nearly cancelled my trip.

 

I went on my cruise and had the most wonderful 2 weeks. I have now done 5 cruises, 4 Med. and 1 baltic. I find the key is lots and lots of research, you can't do every thing but you have to make the most of what you can do (and I do)

 

Next year is going to be a new challenge, so far I have only cruised from Southampton UK, but next year we fly to New York for 5 nights and then having a 7 night cruise to Bermuda and Boston (very excited but starting to have panic attacks again) but nothing will make me cancel.

 

My advice for anyone thinking they can not manage a cruise is go for it. You only regret the things you don't do not the things you do.

[searoses]

Good for you!.....you will be blown away by bermuda....a gorgeous island and friendly people....horseshoe beach has beach wheelchairs to get you over to the tiny cove next to the big beach area where you can enjoy the water with only a couple of steps....be sure to ask for help if you need it....other cruisers are so kind...don't miss the original swizzle inn for their delicious fish chowder and rum swizzles....I have lived near boston for many years....so much to see....a beautiful city....

[Scooter girl 58]

Hi Searoses,

Thanks for your lovely reply, I am very much looking forward to visiting the US the americans I have met on my travels have all been very helpful so I'm sure I will get plenty of help, I believe New York is very wheelchair friendly so should be ok. I have managed St Petersburg and Venice, they were a challenge but the cobbles of Tallinn will take some beating!!!

[MyCatMischief]

Darcie, ever been to St. Pete, Russia? If so, we need to talk for a long time, honey. I need advice. Cyndi

[Scooter girl 58]

Hi MyCatMischief,

 

I use a mobility scooter and have done St Petersburg. Before I booked my cruise I emailed Alla tours in St Petersburg to see if they could provide good tours as the ones provided by the ship did not suit my needs. Alla emailed me back and said no problem they would tailor made the tour for me. My friend and I had a two day tour with them and saw as much as it was possible to see in two days, we saw so much more than any one did who did the ships trips.

I can not recommend Alla tours highly enough. If you do go do not miss going in side the church of the spilt blood. If you have any questions I will try to be of help.

[mamasylvia]

I have only cruised once but it was WONDERFUL. I researched and researched ahead of time. I rented a scooter and a recliner which both fit in our roomy accessible balcony cabin on Oasis of the Seas. The recliner let me sleep better, the scooter let my husband relax and enjoy the cruise instead of having to push me everywhere in my manual wheelchair. The lift to get me into the hot tub was rather painful and felt unstable, so I gritted my teeth and climbed out rather than calling the crew to get me out, and I didn't try the pool. But my scooter got me almost everywhere: magic show, water show, Broadway show, every restaurant I was interested in, onboard shops, into and around St. Maarten and most of St. Thomas. There were a few places in St. Thomas I couldn't get into with the scooter, so they just didn't get my money. I also made to the Dolphin Encounter in Nassau, which was a little bit tricky but (again) having researched it ahead of time I knew what to expect and was prepared for having to go up and down a couple of steps to the boat and that I couldn't do the dolphin swim. The handicap chair the Dolphin Encounter people used would NEVER pass U.S. standards, a couple of hefty guys lowered me into the water and brought me back out when it was done. It pinched more than a little but to be able to get up close and personal with a dolphin was SO worth it!

 

Now we are looking at an Alaska cruise for next year and, again, I am researching and researching. Starting here! And looking forward to it!

[Scooter girl 58]

On my last post I said my next cruise would be to Bermuda and Boston with 5 days in New York first. I had the best time of my life. New York was amazing and I saw as much as was humanly possible in 5 days. Many thanks to the people of New York for all their help. Bermuda was beautiful and Boston very interesting and the Anthem of the Seas was my favorite ship so far. I still can not believe I did every thing I did, it seems like it was a wonderful dream (I have to keep looking at all my photos) I am so very glad I took the plunge and went on this wonderful holiday. If you want to do something do it as soon as you can as no one knows what in in store.

[xxoocruiser]

The lift to get me into the hot tub was rather painful and felt unstable, so I gritted my teeth and climbed out rather than calling the crew to get me out and I didn't try the pool.

 

Had you contacted Guest Services and or House Keeping for assistance to get you out of the tub, for future reference know that the Captain has the right to remove you from the cruise at the next port of call as it is not the crews responsibility to get you out the tub. Additionally if not removed at the next port of call than you could also be banned from future cruises on that line. Cruise Lines make it very clear in both their contracts and on their websites that passengers must be fit to travel and properly plan for as well as bring an aid if needed to assist in their daily needs as the ships staff is not responsible to assist you other than getting on/off the ship. Getting you out the tub is most definitely not the responsibility of the Cruise Line.

 

Being that you had a tub the assumption is being made that you did not book an accessible cabin. Next time it would be advisable to consider booking an accessible cabin that has a zero threshold shower with a fold down seat.

Edited October 9, 2016 by xxoocruiser

[MommaBear55]

Had you contacted Guest Services and or House Keeping for assistance to get you out of the tub, for future reference know that the Captain has the right to remove you from the cruise at the next port of call as it is not the crews responsibility to get you out the tub. Additionally if not removed at the next port of call than you could also be banned from future cruises on that line. Cruise Lines make it very clear in both their contracts and on their websites that passengers must be fit to travel and properly plan for as well as bring an aid if needed to assist in their daily needs as the ships staff is not responsible to assist you other than getting on/off the ship. Getting you out the tub is most definitely not the responsibility of the Cruise Line.

 

Being that you had a tub the assumption is being made that you did not book an accessible cabin. Next time it would be advisable to consider booking an accessible cabin that has a zero threshold shower with a fold down seat.

 

This said hot tub, not tub. There is a lift to get passengers with disabilities in and out of the hot tub and pool.