Serenade Medical Experiences

Hi......just cruised on Serenade 9/15.....and my report is a bit
different than most.

Had been having some kind of "attacks" for a few months.....they always
went as fast as they came, so what was to bother about?

Within an hour of boarding the most beautiful ship new ship, suffered an
attack but it only lasted an hour.....so we enjoyed exploring the ship
and the pools, inside and out were just like a dream....would surely use
them plenty as we really wanted R&R as we had been to Halifax before and
decided to explore Saint John just a wee bit on our own.

My husband signed me up for a ful spa treatment for the following a.m. (
my dream), had a lovely dinner with our new tablemates, saw the show (my
husband became part of it) and danced the night away in the lobby area
where the combo was great.

Next day had light breakfast in dining room by window, light lunch also
by window (Beautiful dining areas and food so far was very good. Went
to art auction and I got my Kinkade (one that I really wanted at a good
price), got decked out in our finery and went to Captains Reception
where we danced and sipped Champagne.....no hordours for us as I sensed
an attack coming on.

Went to dinner and 3 forks of food later, I had an "attack" which never
quit.......suffered all through the night and at dawn realized I had to
seek help. Medical facilities and staff are wonderful......wanted to
put me ashore to hospital which I fought....as these attacks always go
away......took meds and horribly sick and in pain all day....could not
eat, swallow and severe pain in chest and back.....called and they came
and took me to Medical where they did EKG, blood work, intravenous
fluids and told my husband to pack as they were putting us ashore at St.
JOhns......I was knocked out, taken back to cabin sometime during the
night and put in bed......woke to news about going ashore and went back
to Medical where I begged to stay aboard as I could swallow a little and
was so zonked by meds that I just wanted to drift by ship back to NY.
Dr. finally consented to this plan, kept me on strong meds with the
agreement that I would go to hospital immediately upon return.

So we never had any meals, dancing, shows, etc. for rest of
cruise.....our bathing suits never hit the pools and all in all it was a
"hell of a cruise"......but, the ship is gorgeous, staff was wonderful,
well trained, pleasant and courteous (which Princess....last 2 cruises
was the total opposite)....still crying over missing out on all the good
times, meals, etc. that was available. My husband went to dinners,
casino machines on my insistence and he explored St. John musuem. All
in all, I was lucky with the treatment that I had aboard as they had
diagnosed my problem from the start....I just came out of hospital late
yesterday....had a surgical procedure for Esophagus problem and found
out that I have had a heart attack, but not particularly right now.

Sorry to say, I took a giant step into Senior Living as I now have a few
different Drs. (did not have any and never went to any) several meds
(need one of those plastic boxes with the days of the week now, I guess)
a restricted diet (horrors) but now have to figure out how to get to try
my cruise again! Any donations welcome!

Royal Carribean's Serenade of the Sea is awesome and I wish a wonderful
cruise to all of you with reservations in hand!!

Winnie

Winnie,

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. I'm so sorry it happened
to you, but it is reassuring to hear that RCI's medical team took good care
of you.

Even though you didn't get to fully enjoy the Serenade, I know you'll agree
she's one gorgeous ship. We have fond memories of our week on her maiden
crossing. It's no fun to be ill away from home--but I can imagine far worse
places than the Serenade to be "stuck" not feeling well. You have a great
attitude and obviously made the best of it!

It's a relief to hear you are on the road to recovery--albeit a rocky road
presumably without any Rocky Road ice cream. Good luck.

Diana Ball
near Houston, TX
http://www.dianaball.net

NCL Sea - W. Carib - Holidays 99
RCI Explorer - E. Carib - Holidays 00
RCI Rhapsody - W. Carib - Holidays 01 (back-to-back)
NCL Star - Hawaii - June 02
Dawn Princess - Alaska - July 02
Star Princess - Mex Riviera - Holidays 02
RCI Serenade – Transatlantic 08/03 (maiden voyage)
RCI Mariner – E Carib – Holidays 03



(Winnie Roberts) wrote:

Hi......just cruised on Serenade 9/15.....and my report is a bit
different than most.

(snip)

All
in all, I was lucky with the treatment that I had aboard as they had
diagnosed my problem from the start....

(snip)

Royal Carribean's Serenade of the Sea is awesome and I wish a wonderful
cruise to all of you with reservations in hand!!

Winnie