SICKNESS ON VIKING!
Nov 27th, 2016, 08:58 PM
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SICKNESS ON VIKING!
My husband and I were recently aboard the Viking Skirnir for the Grand European Tour beginning September 26 and ending October 10. This was our “Swan Song,” because due to our age, we knew we couldn’t take another trip like this. We couldn’t have received better service and attention from the waiters to the room attendants. The food was absolutely delicious and the tours off the ship were wonderful. We had only one complaint. That was about Verona, the Concierge.
When we arrived in Vienna, my husband became suddenly and extremely ill with what we later learned was pneumonia. The doctor that Verona called came to our stateroom, observed my husband on the floor and said, “I’m a doctor. I don’t pick people up.” Then he charged me 100 Euros, leaving me with three Euros. I asked him to call an ambulance, which he did, because my husband was feverish and unable to rise from the floor. I grabbed a change of clothes for my husband and toothbrushes as I went with him in the ambulance, and that was all I had for five days. He is nearing 90, so of course, I was extremely worried about him, and I was sick, too. Verona took charge as we were leaving the ship, but did nothing to help us in any way. She said I would have to find a way to get to Budapest to pack up our things and get them back to Vienna. She kept telling me that the ship was leaving in 30 minutes. I certainly didn’t expect the ship to delay its departure, but what disappointed me was the lack of common courtesy that I experienced. She made no suggestion where I might find a hotel, or anyone I could call to get some advice as to how I might manage alone in Vienna. Nor did she call my emergency number to notify my daughter what had happened to us. Why do we give emergency contacts to Viking? Meanwhile, on the third day, Verona called me to say I could pick up my belongings when the ship made its return trip to Vienna. She knew all along that the ship was coming back, but she let me worry and stew over how I was going to get to Budapest to get our things. She had even told me that a taxi would be too expensive, and I should take a train, but didn’t tell me where I could find a train station. My blood pressure was 228/110 and I had to make two trips to the emergency room for IVs to try to lower it. I’ve never been so alone and so worried in my life.
The nurse’s aide at the hospital took pity on me, gave me some medicine and helped me find a nearby hotel, so I was at last dry and comfortable. I continued to get sicker, but I knew I had to avoid being admitted to the hospital or I’d be no help to my husband.
My husband was in the hospital for 10 days, when we were finally discharged to return home, but unfortunately I have only the memory of being an 80-year-old woman completely helpless in Vienna without even a hint of concern or assistance and unable to speak the language. Would she have wanted her mother to have been put in this situation? My suggestion would be to have a list of hospitals and hotels available at each stop, so if this sort of thing were to happen again, the employee would at least have some suggestions of what a person could do in an emergency. Not only did Verona not have this information (I assume), but she was not in the least interested in rendering any assistance of any kind.
In closing, I would like to say that I didn’t expect anything from Viking other than the simple courtesy of one human being to another, and that was something I didn’t receive. Due to our health, we will not be able to travel in the future, so it’s sad that our last, lovely river cruise trip ended on this note.
When we arrived in Vienna, my husband became suddenly and extremely ill with what we later learned was pneumonia. The doctor that Verona called came to our stateroom, observed my husband on the floor and said, “I’m a doctor. I don’t pick people up.” Then he charged me 100 Euros, leaving me with three Euros. I asked him to call an ambulance, which he did, because my husband was feverish and unable to rise from the floor. I grabbed a change of clothes for my husband and toothbrushes as I went with him in the ambulance, and that was all I had for five days. He is nearing 90, so of course, I was extremely worried about him, and I was sick, too. Verona took charge as we were leaving the ship, but did nothing to help us in any way. She said I would have to find a way to get to Budapest to pack up our things and get them back to Vienna. She kept telling me that the ship was leaving in 30 minutes. I certainly didn’t expect the ship to delay its departure, but what disappointed me was the lack of common courtesy that I experienced. She made no suggestion where I might find a hotel, or anyone I could call to get some advice as to how I might manage alone in Vienna. Nor did she call my emergency number to notify my daughter what had happened to us. Why do we give emergency contacts to Viking? Meanwhile, on the third day, Verona called me to say I could pick up my belongings when the ship made its return trip to Vienna. She knew all along that the ship was coming back, but she let me worry and stew over how I was going to get to Budapest to get our things. She had even told me that a taxi would be too expensive, and I should take a train, but didn’t tell me where I could find a train station. My blood pressure was 228/110 and I had to make two trips to the emergency room for IVs to try to lower it. I’ve never been so alone and so worried in my life.
The nurse’s aide at the hospital took pity on me, gave me some medicine and helped me find a nearby hotel, so I was at last dry and comfortable. I continued to get sicker, but I knew I had to avoid being admitted to the hospital or I’d be no help to my husband.
My husband was in the hospital for 10 days, when we were finally discharged to return home, but unfortunately I have only the memory of being an 80-year-old woman completely helpless in Vienna without even a hint of concern or assistance and unable to speak the language. Would she have wanted her mother to have been put in this situation? My suggestion would be to have a list of hospitals and hotels available at each stop, so if this sort of thing were to happen again, the employee would at least have some suggestions of what a person could do in an emergency. Not only did Verona not have this information (I assume), but she was not in the least interested in rendering any assistance of any kind.
In closing, I would like to say that I didn’t expect anything from Viking other than the simple courtesy of one human being to another, and that was something I didn’t receive. Due to our health, we will not be able to travel in the future, so it’s sad that our last, lovely river cruise trip ended on this note.
Nov 28th, 2016, 05:35 AM
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Wow!
Did the doctor do any examination at all and did anyone call for help to get hubby up to bed?
If thats all he said I would have not paid him a cent!
It sounds like Verona did help a little but also could have been far more empathetic especially at the onset of this ordeal. Did you report this to Viking?
I too wonder why the emergency numbers weren't used but imagine as you were not incapacitated that this was not in their policy as long as one of the parties could reach out back home.
Thats dangerously high BP and I hope by now you are ok. In the US its illegal for a nurse let alone a nurses aide to dispense meds without an MD order and as you technically were not a patient I find this while perhaps comforting also against our practice here.
As he did get to a hospital is it possible that they had a list of them to go to? How was the decision arrived at to use this particular hospital?
Also did you report this MD to Viking? maybe they need to evaluate who they call in the future.
So sorry to hear of this mess and I hope by now you are both recovered and well.
Best of luck, Larry.
.
Did the doctor do any examination at all and did anyone call for help to get hubby up to bed?
If thats all he said I would have not paid him a cent!
It sounds like Verona did help a little but also could have been far more empathetic especially at the onset of this ordeal. Did you report this to Viking?
I too wonder why the emergency numbers weren't used but imagine as you were not incapacitated that this was not in their policy as long as one of the parties could reach out back home.
Thats dangerously high BP and I hope by now you are ok. In the US its illegal for a nurse let alone a nurses aide to dispense meds without an MD order and as you technically were not a patient I find this while perhaps comforting also against our practice here.
As he did get to a hospital is it possible that they had a list of them to go to? How was the decision arrived at to use this particular hospital?
Also did you report this MD to Viking? maybe they need to evaluate who they call in the future.
So sorry to hear of this mess and I hope by now you are both recovered and well.
Best of luck, Larry.
.
Nov 28th, 2016, 10:02 AM
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I have heard of friends bexoming ill on river and ocean cruises. The cruise companies assigned a local travel agency to assist and stay with the spouse in the city where the other spouse was hospitalized.
Dec 11th, 2016, 12:19 PM
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Yes, I did have travel insurance and I did write Viking on November 2, but have had no reply. In looking back at my notes for the trip, I see that not only did Verona refuse to help me in any way, but she also told me that I would have to find my own way back to the U.S. I asked her how I was going to do that, and she said I should call my travel agent. When my husband is being wheeled out to the ambulance, I didn't have time to argue with anyone, including the doctor. Viking was my travel agent!
When I left my stateroom, I didn't have time to get my insurance papers or anything but a toothbrush, so I couldn't call them when I got to the hospital. Had I had all my wits about me, I would have done a lot of things differently, but I was in panic mode due to my husband's illness and the ambulance was going to the nearest hospital. I had no choice. I recently talked to a friend who took nearly the same route on a different cruise line. He fell and hurt his head as he was first boarding the ship. He said the staff couldn't have been nicer and two of them accompanied him and his wife to the hospital and stayed until they were absolutely sure that he was okay to take the trip. Fortunately, they were able to carry on with just a couple of stitches, but that's the kind of attention Viking should give their passengers. Did Verona expect me to speak German as soon as I got off the ship? My BP has come down to 190 now, and I'm receiving lots of treatment, so I'm sure with time, it will be all right. I think I'm still stressed over the whole sad situation.
When I left my stateroom, I didn't have time to get my insurance papers or anything but a toothbrush, so I couldn't call them when I got to the hospital. Had I had all my wits about me, I would have done a lot of things differently, but I was in panic mode due to my husband's illness and the ambulance was going to the nearest hospital. I had no choice. I recently talked to a friend who took nearly the same route on a different cruise line. He fell and hurt his head as he was first boarding the ship. He said the staff couldn't have been nicer and two of them accompanied him and his wife to the hospital and stayed until they were absolutely sure that he was okay to take the trip. Fortunately, they were able to carry on with just a couple of stitches, but that's the kind of attention Viking should give their passengers. Did Verona expect me to speak German as soon as I got off the ship? My BP has come down to 190 now, and I'm receiving lots of treatment, so I'm sure with time, it will be all right. I think I'm still stressed over the whole sad situation.
Dec 12th, 2016, 05:15 AM
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I hope by now you have continued to improve and that your hubby is well.
It sounds like a nightmare scenario in that you were overwhelmed by adverse circumstances and needed help which Viking did not provide.
I do hope you got it sorted out when in the hospital and found people who could recognize your need for help.
The reports generally about Viking are that they are great when all goes well but do poorly when things don't got as planned. From your description here it sadly seems to continue to be the case.
Best of luck, relax and get that BP down!
Larry..
It sounds like a nightmare scenario in that you were overwhelmed by adverse circumstances and needed help which Viking did not provide.
I do hope you got it sorted out when in the hospital and found people who could recognize your need for help.
The reports generally about Viking are that they are great when all goes well but do poorly when things don't got as planned. From your description here it sadly seems to continue to be the case.
Best of luck, relax and get that BP down!
Larry.
.
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