Has anyone been cruising? My husband booked a cruise on P&O Arcadia but when I read reports of 'Arcadia cough' we cancelled.

[DrWhoFan]

Was I being overly cautious? Anne

[Hidden]

I have been on several cruises and I do know of another person on here who is a regular visitor to Arcadia, I don't travel with P&O but with their sister company Princess Cruises.

I have never heard of the 'cough', saying that if you have to visit the Medical Centre on board ship they are the equivalent of a Top Notch hospital with all the facilities required to help you. If you have an illness that is spreadable then you and your fellow cabin companion are confined to said cabin, until the doctor has given you clearance. Your meals etc are bought to you by a dedicated team.

If you require in hospital treatment you are either air-lifted off the boat or taken ashore as soon as the ship is moored before anyone else goes ashore. Last year we had to revisit a port as someone became seriously ill within an hour of leaving port.

This is why medical insurance for 5 million dollars cover is required for anyone who cruises and it must include air-lifting.

I hope this has answered or not any queries that you may have.

[DrWhoFan in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. I am on 25mg methotrexate and know it suppresses the immune system, and that is my main worry. This cruise was for 14 days. I did a7 day Alaska cruise last year and was ill on that even tho I used the hand sanitisers all the time. The doctor said I was mad to go on a cruise wilts on immune suppressants. Hmmmmm don't know. Anne

[Hidden in reply to DrWhoFan]

Yes I use the hand sanitisers as well, I also only eat anything that is cooked and have nothing raw not even salads, but then I always did this before I had to have all the medication that I am on. I inject Enbrell (Etnercept) and take Leflunomide.

If your not happy then it's best that you are not going as you will only spoil your holiday by worrying about everything.

[dtech]

I've been on several cruises and not had any problems. Like Georje though we have seen people having to be airlifted off. Yes you read the horror stories about noravirus and other vomiting illnesses affecting ships but that is the risk you take when people are in an enclosed environment and don't follow simple hygiene regime. Don't forget you read about the same sort of things happening in hospitals, but no one suggests we never go in one just in case :-). So I would say go on a cruise, you'll love it, we do and have a great time.

[DrWhoFan]

Thanks your your reply also. I am worried about being on immune suppressant drugs, like the 25 gm methotrexate. Also on sulphasalazine but not sure if that is immune suppressant too. Not sure how big the Arcadia is, the one we went on for the Alaska trip was 2000 people. Think that was princess line, but not sure. On this review website I was looking at there seemed so many bad reports on P&O I just got scared. Anne

[Shell1967]

Hello I cruise every year,went on a 17 day cruise last yr with p&o on azura.and no problems at all,and the three years before.i am on methotrexate and highly recommend cruise,we love them !! My rheumatologist loves my stories I have for him after my cruise each year:)))I have cruised with royal caribbean and p&o and in August with celebrity cruises.!! Nothing will stop me I'm always careful with washing hands etc before and after meals,but I do that at home too.i hope you enjoy cruising again soon michelle x

[DrWhoFan]

Thanks Michelle , you have given me hope xx

[ANNADAY]

I just returned from the Royal C Liberty of the Seas, and I have never been so sick in my life with the Cruise Cough. Over 1/2 the ship had this, it is very contagious, I was so sick I had to stay in my room for three days. So don't kid yourself, there is a horrible cough, that can easily go around the ship. I went to the ship doctor and everyone had this in the doctors's office. I also had this a few years back on a Royal C cruise. We are diamond members, and have been on many cruises, but this is the end of it for me. I am still very ill after 10 days.The cruise companies are not disinfecting their ships after out breaks of the cruise cough. So no more cruising for me, my health is much more important!