During our cruise on the Carnival Conquest, things did not go quite as I had them planned in my mind. I pictured taking cruise ship naps, eating amazing food, and just relaxing. Well, most of this happened just not quite the way I had it planned.
Going into the cruise, I was feeling pretty run down. I was exhausted and looking forward to a few cruise ship naps to recover and relax from traveling. I figured jet lag was just wearing me down and I just needed to get through it.
A few days into the cruise I started coughing and feeling blah. I powered through the ports because there was no way I was missing going to the beach in Aruba or exploring Curacao. After we got back from Aruba I fell asleep in our room and just felt like crap. There is no nice term to describe how horrible I was feeling. I told John to just let me sleep and go enjoy the ship.
Overnight I went from feeling pretty horrible to downright miserable. I have to admit though I was scared to go to the ship doctor or visit the medical center on the Carnival Conquest. I had it in my mind that it was going to cost the equivalent of a small car and that I would get kicked off the ship for being sick. So many fears were going through my head. You guys I was hacking up a lung and at the same time googling to see if I could find out what it would cost to go to the medical center.
Finally Friday morning I was done. I honestly didn't care if it cost me a small car or more as long as someone could make me feel better. I called down to the medical center and asked if I needed to make an appointment. They advised me that there were a few people in line at that moment and to come down in 20 to 30 minutes and it should be better. They also told me it was only $125 to see the doctor for an assessment. I almost wept that it was less than my car and that it wasn't going to cost a fortune.
We crawled down to deck 0 and took our first steps into the medical center. I was scared, sick, and just felt horrible. The nursing staff was seriously amazing from the moment we walked in. I filled out some paperwork with our stateroom number and my symptoms and they took me to check my vitals. A quick and easy check of my temp, blood pressure and asking how I was doing.
I waited a few minutes and then met with one of the ship doctors Dr. Chenna from India. He had the most calming presence it was wonderful. We talked about my symptoms and he listened to my lungs and heart. He advised that he wanted me to get a chest x-ray to see what was going on. EEK! At this point, I was up for anything but honestly never thought one of my 40 new things before turning 40 would be getting a chest x-ray and IV at sea.
After my chest x-ray, they started me on a breathing treatment and Dr. Chenna came in and told me I had pneumonia, a sinus infection, and tonsillitis. You know a whole trifecta of fun. UGH! He advised that I get IV antibiotics and breathing treatments twice a day while on the ship along with oral antibiotics. He honestly could have told me anything at this point and I would have agreed.
So there I was hooked up to a breathing treatment, getting an IV and blood work while floating along on the Carnival Conquest. You would think that this would be an all-time low in my cruise adventures and travel but it wasn't. The thing is the staff on the Carnival Conquest medical center was amazing.
One nurse, in particular, made my time in the medical center more than I could have asked for. Anna from South Africa was amazing. She provided not only amazing medical care but she honestly cared about me, John, and how we were doing. During my 4 visits to the medical center, she always made me smile and laugh even while feeling horrible. We learned that she grew up in Kruger National Park in S. Africa. As a kid, her job was to close the gate for their property to keep the hippos from eating her mom's garden. Can you imagine!
During my treatments I learned about what it is like to be on the ship for months on end, I learned about Anna and her amazing life. I wish I could put into words how amazing the time I spent talking to Anna was. It is so hard to describe being so sick and yet finding someone in the world that gets you and you understand them so deeply. I can't thank Anna and the entire staff of the Carnival Conquest medical center enough for taking such amazing care of me.
They made sure that I had everything I could possibly need to get better as quickly as possible and they did it while floating on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean. I have always worried about getting sick at sea. I have heard so many friends talk about pushing through being sick or injured because they were worried about visiting the medical center on a cruise ship. Please know that my experience was amazing and I honestly feel like I received better care on the ship than I would have at home. I saw the medical staff 4 times in 48 hours. I received multiple treatments and was constantly being checked on. This wouldn't have happened at home unless I was in the hospital.
I would never hope to get sick at sea or have anyone have to visit the medical center BUT if you are sick, injured or need medical care know that there is a medical center on the ship that is prepared to help you with the best care possible. It did not cost us the price of a small car or anywhere near what I thought it would cost. When I finished the last treatment on the ship the medical center gave me a copy of all of my medical notes and a list of my charges so I could turn it in to my insurance company.
I truly can't thank the staff of the Carnival Conquest medical center enough for the care they provided for me. They made a crummy situation of being sick while on a cruise ship the best that it could be. They handle not only guest medical needs but the crew needs to. I learned that the medical center truly is the heart of the ship and they see and take care of a lot. If you see them onboard your cruise make sure and thank them. They do more than we will ever know to keep the ship running healthy and smoothly.
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We were on a press trip on the Carnival Conquest. All opinions expressed are our own. We paid for our own medical services.
Amy Desrosiers
Wow, I am so glad you are ok! That is a terrible way to spend a vacation! It is so neat to see the ship's medical center though!
Danielle Harper
I never realized cruise ships were so well equipped in regards to medical needs. I suppose they basically are little floating cities though. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Tammilee
It is amazing what they can do in the medical center. They handle everything from heart attacks and strokes to the flu and everything in between. I was amazed at the set up.
Janis
Oh Tammi Lee, you poor thing. It sounds like you were really, really sick. Glad that the ship took good care of you AND as you pointed out it didn't break the bank. I hope eventho you were ill on the second half of this journey that you still managed to create some great memories to last a lifetime.
Tammilee
We definitely created some amazing memories. Even going to the medical center was something I won't soon forget. They were all so amazing and took such great care of me.
Anne
I can't imagine being so sick on a cruise! It is great to know that the ship is well staffed and can handle a serious illness. I hope you can rest up and feel back to normal soon!
Tammilee
Thank you! I definitely never hope to be sick on a cruise again but feel better knowing how well equipped and wonderful they are.
Cristi Comes
OH my gosh I'm so sorry you got so sick on your cruise! But how wonderful you received such great care at their medical center. That is just great to hear. I've never had to go to the med center on ship and I love hearing it's a good experience.
Tammilee
It was amazing. I was so dang scared about going. I am so glad I went and can't believe the amazing care I received. They were all so wonderful.
Jeannette
Wow - I hate getting sick when I travel in general but on a ship would really be a bummer! I'm so glad to know that they have great care though. It gives me peace of mind! So glad they got you feeling better!
Tammilee
Thank you so much! They truly provided absolutely amazing care.
Aubrey
Getting sick is no fun. Especially when you are supposed to be having a good time on a cruise. I am glad that the medical staff was so great to you.
Tammilee
Thank you! The staff was absolutely unbelievable. I am so thankful for the care they provided.
Megan
You can tell by your face how relieved you were to be receiving medical treatment!! There is nothing worse than being sick away from home! It's terrible that our first thought is to worry about the cost, but I would've done the same thing! Glad you were treated so nicely, I hope you were able to enjoy some of your trip!!
Tammilee
Thank you! The rest of the cruise was amazing. I was so happy we finally went to the medical center. They were amazing.