Oasis of the Seas - Medical Facility

Oasis of the Seas - The Doctor is In

This year two things were on people's minds most of the time - the economy and H1N1 flu. In reality, there's not much anyone can do to change either of these things, but one can be prepared to react to different situations that may arise.

We've already seen how Oasis of the Seas is virtually a floating city. It has its own neighborhoods as well as all the facilities that you'd find in your own town or village. Perhaps one of the most important facilities in any neighborhood is the medical center. Oasis of the Seas has one of the most advanced medical facilities onboard any ship on the seven seas.

Let's take a visit to the doctor's office in this video. You'll see all the modern equipment and the staff ready to respond to any medical emergency. The medical facility can provide cardiac care, handle breaks and sprains, care for all sorts of illnesses including H1N1 flu. In some cases, it is best to transfer the patient to a local hospital, so rescue is only a radio call and hellicopter ride away. Don't forget to purchase travel insurance to pay for that hellicopter ride should it become necessary.

Final Preparations Video: A Visit to the Doctor's (click here)

Related Blog posts:

GMA Live from Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas - Art Collection

Oasis of the Seas - Central Park

Welcome Home Oasis of the Seas, Welcome Home
Oasis of the Seas - Almost Home

Oasis of the Seas - Entertainment

Oasis of the Seas vs North Atlantic
Oasis of the Seas Continues Journey
Oasis OTS Ducks Under Great Belt Bridge
Oasis of the Seas - Crossing the Atlantic
Oasis of the Seas Heads for Home
Oasis of the Seas Takes to Water

In the following, you'll go behind the scenes as the Oasis of the Seas is built

Watch Additional Oasis of the Seas Videos Here!

See More Oasis of the Seas PHOTOS on my FACEBOOK PAGE - BECOME a FAN

Stay Tuned for Continuing Coverage of the Oasis of the Seas

Carnival Cruises Returning to Mexico

Carnival Cruise Lines will resume visits to Mexican ports of call based on the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, which is no longer recommending against non-essential travel to Mexico. Once all voyages with previously modified itineraries are completed, those vessels will revert to their original routes featuring stops in Mexico.

Most itineraries were modified through mid-June with the exception of the Holiday which was modified through late May. For full details on modified itineraries, and the effective dates for the return to the original itineraries, click here.

In communicating this news to their travel partners, Carnival said "Please rest assured that the health and well being of our guests and crew is our highest priority and we are returning to Mexico after careful evaluation and consultation with the CDC. It is important to note that the concentration of H1N1 flu cases in Mexico has been inland rather than in the coastal resort areas where our ships visit."

The cruise industry works closely with U.S. public health officials in the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program in developing and complying with extensive policies and procedures that are effective in mitigating illness aboard cruise ships. Carnival will continue to follow CDC guidelines for cruise ships which include pre-boarding health questionnaires for all guests and crew, along with secondary screening by shipboard medical professionals as necessary. Additionally, all Carnival ships stock influenza test kits and anti-viral medications for treating type A influenzas.

Carnival concluded their travel partner update by saying "We are very pleased to be returning to Mexico and would also very much like to thank you for your understanding and patience during the past few weeks."

Royal Caribbean Resumes Mexican Cruises

Royal Caribbean Update on H1N1 Flu Precautions

Royal Caribbean International informed their travel partners that they will resume its port calls in Cozumel, Mexico, beginning with sailings that depart on or after May 24, 2009. RCI applauded the decision of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to downgrade their previous "Travel Alert" to a "Travel Health Precaution for Mexico."

Their statement went on to say "Like our guests we are anxious to return to Mexico. Until then, our guests will have time to fully review and understand the CDC's decision." The ships with Cozumel port calls include Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, and Enchantment of the Seas.

Mariner of the Seas will continue its modified Pacific Northwest itinerary, up to and including, its June 14 sailing. RCI will continue to utilize the Influenza Prevention and Response Plans, which their office of Medical and Public Health developed in coordination with the CDC and other health experts. The plan is based on three pillars: Preparedness and Communication; Surveillance and Detection; and Response and Containment.

Itinerary updates are provided daily at 1 PM. See the following link for latest update.

H1N1 Cruise Line Update - Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line's scheduled deployment does not include any ports of call in Mexico until the end of September 2009. However, they have proactively taken increased health and safety measures as a matter of caution.

The company has stringent protocols for cleaning and sanitation on all of its vessels to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. In addition, the company is taking proactive precautionary measures to protect its valued guests, including, but not limited to:

Fleet-wide guest screening via a health questionnaire prior to embarkation. Any guests exhibiting influenza symptoms which meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's case definition of suspect H1N1 influenza will not be allowed to board the vessel.

On-board education regarding H1N1 symptoms and preventative actions. An informative flyer is being placed in all staterooms fleetwide.

A mandatory visit to the ship's medical center for further evaluation and treatment if necessary for those guests who may develop flu-like symptoms while sailing.

On-board medical centers are stocking an appropriate amount of the anti-viral medication used to treat the illness, in the unlikely event the need for its use becomes necessary.

Norwegian Cruise Line will continue to closely follow developments regarding the H1N1 Influenza. Additional information regarding H1N1 is available at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.cdc.gov/.

H1N1 Cruise Line Update - Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines has cancelled all port of call visits in Mexico for 16 of its ships that were previously scheduled to stop in that country. Itineraries for vessels departing between now and June 15, 2009 that included stops in Mexico have been modified. In many instances, the modification simply involved substituting an alternate port. For full details on modified itineraries, click here.

Guests who do not wish to sail on a modified itinerary may opt to receive a refund in the form of a future cruise credit equal to the full amount paid for the voyage. The credit may be applied to an alternate sailing departing through the end of 2010. Compensation for missed ports/altered itineraries (where applicable) for guests who sail varies by itinerary. With four and five-day cruises from Galveston and New Orleans that are being converted to seven-day voyages, those guests may opt to receive their refund in the form of a future cruise credit or money back.

Princess Cruises has modified its itineraries to suspend calls to Mexican ports through the few remaining voyages of the spring season, which concludes in May. Seven voyages were impacted by this change. More details ...

Carnival Cruise Lines is dedicated to the health and safety of all guests and crew. The recent emergence of H1N1 flu has caused concern among public health authorities and the traveling public. Although there have been no suspected or confirmed reports of H1N1 flu on any Carnival cruise ship, we have proactively taken increased health and safety measures as a matter of caution.

Carnival maintains close coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and utilizes very stringent recommended sanitation protocols to minimize the possibility of viral transmission of infectious diseases. Our onboard medical centers have supplies of antiviral medications, personal protective equipment and appropriate diagnostic test kits, as recommended by the CDC.

For further information on H1N1 influenza, visit the CDC’s web site at http://www.cdc.gov/.

H1N1 Cruise Line Update - Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises have temporarily suspending their port calls in Mexico. The decision was made in an abundance of caution, and to allow additional time to better understand the full impact of the Swine Flu.

The temporary suspension involves four Royal Caribbean International ships currently making regularly scheduled port call in Mexico - Enchantment of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas. It also involves one additional Royal Caribbean International ship scheduled to make upcoming Mexico port calls as it reposition - Radiance of the Seas.

The temporary suspension involves one Celebrity Cruises ship scheduled to make upcoming Mexico port calls as it repositions - Celebrity Infinity.

Itinerary updates are provided daily at 1 PM. See the following link for latest update.

Royal Caribbean will continue to closely follow developments regarding the H1N1 Flu. Additional information regarding the H1N1 Flu is available at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: www.cdc.gov

Cruise Line Industry Enhanced Screening Guidelines

I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the enhanced screening guidelines the cruise industry is beginning to implement to continue ensuring the healthiest environment for all cruise passengers. It is important for you to know that the cruise industry is taking these proactive steps out of an abundance of caution to identify, isolate and treat any suspect cases as appropriate.

Under new CLIA member cruise line health screening procedures, All passengers scheduled to board CLIA member line cruise ships will be required to complete the new public health questionnaire prior to boarding at any port. Under the enhanced screening protocols, CLIA member lines will perform a secondary screening if a passenger reports on the questionnaire flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat, or contact with a confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) case. Medical personnel at each cruise line will make case by case decisions regarding the boarding of these passengers. Passengers will not be permitted to travel if they exhibit influenza-like-illness or meet the suspect case conditions for swine flu as defined by CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/casedef_swineflu.htm). All other passengers will be permitted to travel.

If you have questions about these procedures, contact your cruise specialist or the cruise line.

Further information on travel and the swine flu can be found on the CDC Web site at: www.cdc.gov/swineflu. CLIA will continue updating its communications as necessary and I will keep you apprised of any significant developments.

The cruise industry always takes your safety and health seriously, so I am confident that with passenger cooperation, you will be assured of a safe and healthy cruise vacation during these difficult times.

As I have said many times in this column, I stronly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. I offer my customers a customized Travel Guard policy which provides emergency assistance amongst the other benefits. Travel Guard has announced that it is Offering Free Assistance and Information on Swine Flu to U.S. and Canadian travelers affected by or concerned with the recent Swine Flu outbreak. They have the most up-to-date information for travelers seeking travel status updates, health warnings, prevention and treatment tips.