Today we received emails commenting on the bad medical treatment provided on board Royal Caribbean cruise ships and the recent $2,900,000 verdict against the cruise line for its negligent medical treatment rendered to an injured crew member from Nicaragua. Here are the emails:
On the $2,900,000 verdict we reported on last week: “Having worked for Royal Caribbean I totally believe this is justified! Well done Jury!”
Death Wish?: “I too could write a book about the atrocities of medical care onboard during my 4 contracts. I suffered an injury and was sent to see a doctor in Curacao, and I’m an American citizen! When I said that I wanted to see a doctor on port day in Miami I was told that they could not arrange it (we were still 4 days away from Miami) and I would have to wait until the following port day, 11 days later if I did not want to see the doctor in Cuaracao.”
19th Century Hospital: “While working on ships we had 1 doctor terminated for downloading porn onto his work computer. He stated he was doing “medical research.” Then there was the cruise where 3 people died, 1 from a stroke and 2 from heart attacks. Both doctors were terminated at the end of that cruise. Why? Because apparently the nurses had to talk them through CPR! Absolutely disgusting. I’ve told family members and friends that if they ever get hurt or injured on a cruise ship the last place they want to go is to the ship’s infirmary. The “medicine” dished out is reminiscent of early 19th century hospitals, where one only went if he or she had a death wish.”
Fend For Yourself: “I am an American citizen who worked for Royal Caribbean. I left the ship in the last quarter of my last contract with an injury. It was even tough for me to get RCCL to cover decent medical treatment for me as an American citizen. I cannot even imagine what it is like for crew members who are sent back to their countries of origin. Forget about any sort of living compensation while shoreside for treatment. I was able to live with my parents, but if I hadn’t had that option I would have had quite a bit of difficulty. It is shameful the way they sign crew members off of ships to fend for themselves.”
November 11, 2014 Update: Breaking News! Cruise passengers are now permitted to sue the cruise lines for medical negligence. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal ruled that cruise lines are no longer permitted to assert an “immunity defense” when their ship doctors and nurses commit medical malpractice. Read: 11th Circuit Rejects Cruise Lines’ Immunity Defense to Medical Malpractice Claims. Contact us for further information.
We have written articles about Royal Caribbean’s abuse of its crew members:
Cruise Ship Medicare Care – Royal Caribbean Gives Their Crew Members the Royal Shaft
Titanic Dreams – Royal Caribbean Wins Worst Cruise Lines in the World Award.
Have you received medical treatment on a Royal Caribbean? What was your experience?
Photo Credit: Jim Walker