We chose this cruise as a family holiday with our children and their families. After a week, I became ill with respiratory distress; I went to the Medical Centre and was told that I might have pneumonia and (without testing) was advised to have a special IV treatment of antibiotics, oxygen and steroids for four sessions over two days. My other option was helicopter evacuation to the nearest hospital in Havana, Cuba. Obviously I had little choice and had the treatment. ( I later noticed other guests with IV catheters taped to their arms). Upon return home and seeing doctors and presenting ship treatment records, I was informed that it was extreme, and it has taken me two months to recover from the effects of the illness and the treatment. My invoice for the four IV and oxygen sessions was over $6600. I present this account as a caution for other travellers.

While on board one lunchtime, I was bumped by a staff member in the buffet restaurant, and the hot soup I was carrying splashed onto my midsection, left breast and left eye. I hate to think what damage my eye would have sustained had I not been wearing glasses. The staff member attempted to wipe me done which only made the scalding worse. No one else came to my assistance, nor was anyone else summoned. I ran to my stateroom to find ice and to clean up. I then went to reception and asked them to notify the medical centre that I was scalded and needed help as this was outside the centre's regular hours. It took some convincing before they called. I was treated and told that ship personnel would contact me about this accident. That only happened two days later, and rather than receiving any empathy, their language indicated a concern that they avoid a potential lawsuit or a demand for compensation. The staff and administration clearly need to address deficiencies in training regarding these types of accidents.