Coast Guard HelicopterI have been contacted by three cruise passengers stating that there have been medical emergencies and two evacuations during cruises,

The Oasis of the Seas had to turn around near the Cayman Islands at the beginning of the week, apparently because of a medical emergency involving a passenger.

Another person said that there was a medical emergency on the Norwegian Getaway, and that the ship was proceeding full speed ahead to Nassau. It seems strange that any U.S.-based cruise ship would speed to Nassau given the dreadful medical care in the public hospitals there.

Today, I heard from a person sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas out of Southampton on a 14 day Mediterranean voyage:

“On the evening of September 2nd, there was an “Alpha” alert (code for medical situation). On September. 3rd (Day 3), there was a medical evacuation by helicopter of the patient and his family at approximately 11am. I believe Captain Klaus Anderson indicated the patient was being flown to a hospital in Portugal. The evacuation occurred at the aft end of the ship, and all guest services areas (ie. Windjammer aft seating, Flo-Rider, iFly by RipCord, Rock climbing wall, etc.) were closed during the procedure.”

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Photo Credit U.S. Coast Guard