Wildcatcoaster wrote:
> Hi -- my folks are doing a 40th wedding cruise next summer on the Queen
> Mary II transatlantic. Their 4 kids and other 7 grandkids are all
> going, but our infant son will be only 7 months old at the time...their
> rules state 1 year and older on transatlantics (but 6 months or older
> on coastal trips). How flexible are they on this? What does anyone
> suggest? It would be awful not to be able to go with the rest of our
> family on this. Thanks for your help!
Yes, it's awful not to be able to go with the family. But, sometimes
the needs/well being of the one are greater than the needs/wants of the
many.
Unfortunately, on a transatlantic cruise you could be days away from
pediatric emergency care. No medivacs/helicopters fly in that kind of
range. On a coastal trip, there could still be a delay in appropriate
treatment - but it won't be 3, 4, or 5 days delay.
Pediatric emergencies in a child under the age of one are often outright
-emergencies-
Things can get very ugly very quickly. Although the chance of such an
emergency is very small, the risks associated with it are extremely
high. The cruise line has decided to limit some of that risk by
creating rules that put limits on the ages of their child cruisers.
There is a doctor and a few nurses on the ship, but unless the doc is a
pediatrician experienced in all pediatric specialties, don't expect the
level of care your child could receive at a land based facility.
He can't perform every test. He doesn't have every drug available. He
may be reliant on a phone call or internet services to make emergency
consultations with a specialist. It takes very precious time relaying
information back and forth and it doesn't take the place of actually
examining the child her/himself. Experienced hands and a well equipped
facility -can- make a difference in the final outcome in any medical
emergency.
My suggestion would be to just accept the rules. Throw mom and dad a
pre-cruise bon voyage party/dinner and wave to everyone from the pier.
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